Arkansas intelligencer., 1848-11-18

alter her constitution in this regard-to change her
fundamental law entre-without any regard to |
the usurpations by Congress Of powers not con-
ferred by the constitution upon It,
The institution of slavery is local, not national.
Power to Interfere with this within the States, or
territories of the U. States, has never been confer
red upon Congress, any other department of
the General Government. The States derive none
of their powers from the General Government, but
the General Government all its from the States,
through the action of the people under the prescrib-
ed rules Of the State authorities. The rights of
the States inherent, those OF the General Co.
vernment delegated. To the General Govern
ment that division only Of sovereignty, which Is
understood from the character of the powers con-
ferred upon it by the constulon-alI the rest that
pertains TO sovereign power s. Is reserved 10 the
States respectively or to the people,"
The great Distinguishing feature of our govern
ment, is the recognition of the first great conser
vatve principle In the People--they, with the aid
of territory, make State or States; the States
may make, for useful purposes, federal govern
ment by delegang certain restr.ceu .eu powers oe
general charactea.. cor its exerc;:. md in do;nc
30, may rostrai lls action to the specification of
the powers thus delegated. Such, apprehend,
was the position once of our people--such was the
position Of the people of Oregon-and now, for
the excersise of this monsrous restraining power
Of Congress, has such power Of determining po-
litcal rights OF the people of a territory eve been
conferred for unless it has been conferred, 1t
cannot constitutionally exercise it. Now, main
tain, that such power has never been granted, and
not being granted, and Congress, being co-ordI-
nate department Off government of delegated pow
ers, and restricted from that exercise Of those not
delegated, we naturally led TO enquire what
power has been conferred upon Congress by the
Constitution in relation to territory-ln the whole
instrument it is mentioned but twice" Congress
shall exercise exclusive legislation over all places
acquired for public purposes, by session of Parcu
lar States" This clause refers the then contem-
plated cession of portions Of Maryland and Vlrgi-
nia--now STYLED the District of Columbia. And
in the next place, come to the grant relied up
on In tho 3rd and 4th art. of the Constitution.
The Congress shall have power to dispose of,
and make all needful rules and regulations respec
ting the territory or other property belonging to
the United States"
These are clear specific grants. | it was not
known that the government Of the United States
held the public domain, both in new territory Or
ganzed, and not organized, as well in sovereign
States, some doubt migh DO entertained upon the
substance of this latter clause. think however,
the reading is plain, that Congress shall have pow
er TO pass all laws necessary and proper, for eau
sing these ands to be surveyed, establishing land
Offices, appointing land officers, selling land, ma
king the titles and receiving the price and appro-
pratng it to the common expenditure but the
power under this clause, does not authorize Con-
gress TO make and extend laws. whose stringency
would be incompatible with those of the States; or
to appoint governor from another State, and place
over Il free people without their consent, under a
clause, to protect, regulate, and perhaps sell her
property in and to lands of such territory. Much
less has Congress the right to impose restrictions
as to the character Of the property which may be
held by citizens of territories in whom only the
right to regulate the property of the government,
in such territory is conferred.
line Oh 0f8 hfaRf8f ST 80 J66H ~ MMis69prI comProm!ise
in violation of the spirit of the constitution 1t was
| however in accordance with the mutual conces-
sons of distinguished statesmen and patriots, and
really hurtful 10 no interests, north or south a
continuation Of that line, to the Pacific cannot now
be reasonably objected 10. 1t is hoped and be!iev-
ed that the next subject in Congress Involving the
principle, will lead to a settlement of this vexed
question for ever, by an extension Of this line TO
the Pacific Ocean.
! Trusting to the patriotism of the people, and the
wisdom OF Congress, for happy and successful
settlement OF this important question, before geo.
graphical lines and sectional lealousieS shall rend
assunder the bonds Of this happy Unon we stand
i ready to do our duty.
May that ruling Providence, that has watched
over the struggles OF the natIOn'S lntancV-haS
since guided and directed the councils of its states
men-5uildIng up a prosperous. happy and pow
! lerful people, crownlng our efforts, in arms, at
! homo and abroad, with unparalleled success, and
who IN His mInlficence has given us new and a
brighter name, among the nations Of the earth, an
Importance IN agriculture, in manufactures, in
war and in philanthropy. and political pre-em-
nence among the civilized Of all the world, still
continue his blessings until their influence sha
cause the science of self-government to prevail
the world over.
We should not forget our own importance as q
portion of this great confederacy nor the obIiga-
uons 1t imposes both in duty to the country and to
that Being, to whom alone are so much indebt
ed for all these blessings.
May He overshadow your deliberations and
with his kind promptings infuse into them that
forbearance, foresight and wisdom, necessary to
direct Alright, the councils of just and free peo.
! pie.
THO'S. S. DREW.
| EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
Little Rock, Nou. 7, lS4S
EUEoPE-lhe N. Y. Erpress says continent,
al war is by no means improbable in the presen,
aspect of affairs in Europe. The King of Naples.
1t would seem. not Onlv has tho pro,,iSo Of ,,.o