The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-05-05

state, by an Informal ballot, expressed a
preference for Gen. CASs AZ the drmocra-
tfc candidate for the presidency, we have
been asked by a number as well of those
wl:o agree as do not agree with the maiuri-
ty ui the convention, 10 publish his letter TO
40. =. Nicholson, Of Tennessee. ou the
Niluot rroviso. We should comply with
the request, hut for the fact that we publish
Cd most Of the letter some fuur months ago.
aud also that We have not the room this
week. We give below, however, his re-
sumo Of the whole, Icy which, probably, as
clear an idca mly be obtained Of hi, view
aS could be- If We published tie whole letter
Briefly, then, am opposed to the ,xcr-
else Of any jurisdiction 10y Congress over
this matter, and am in favor Of ltavir. To
the people Of any territory. which may be
hereafter acquired, the night to REGULATE it
ior themselves. under the general principle
of the Constitution. Because
/. | do not see in the Constitution any
grant of the requisite power 10 Congress (;
and am not disposed ~ extend doubtful
precedent hcyohdits ncCeS>ity-the e,tab
hshment OF Territorial Governments when
needed leaving To the inhabitants all the
rights compatible with the relations they
bear 10 the Confederation.
=. Because believe this inca sure, if adop-
ted would weaken, II not impair, the Union
of the States: and would sow the SEEDS of
future diScord. which would grow mp and
ripen into an abundant harvest of calamity.
>. Because believe a general conviction
that Such proposition wOuh succeed, would
lead to an immediate withholding If sup
plies. and thus TO a di>houoralle termination
the war. think that no diSpa>sionalc oh.
server at the seat of GoyCrrmt ut can doubt
this result.
/ i. II, however, in this am under a mis-
apprehension, ann under none in the prac.
teal operation OF this restriction, if adopted
by Congress. upon treaty of peace making
any acquisition of Mexican territory. Such
a treaty would be rejected jus, a. certainly
a. presented TO the Senate. More than one
third Of that body would vote against il.
viewing such principle a. an exclusion of
the citizens of the Slaveholdins States from
"a participation in the benefits acquired by
the treasure aud cXcr,ionS of all. and which
should be common oall. | am repeating
neither advancing nor defending these views.
] That branch of the subject docs not lie in my
way, aud shall no; turn aside to seek il.
/ In this aspect Of the matter, the people
uftAe United States must choose between
. this restriction and the extension of their
territorial limits. They cannot have both.
and which they will surrender must depend
upon their representatives first, ana then, if
/ these fail them, upon themselves.
! ). Bat. after all, it seems to be generally
conceded, that this restriction, ifcarried into
effect, could not operate upon any state
! To be formed from newly acquired territory.
! The well.knuwn attributes of sovereignty.
Recognised byus rs belonging to the State
! Governments, would sweep bcfor them any
such barriers, and would leave the people to
express aud exert their will at pleasure.
From this 1t is apparent, since the VIII
mot provi,o as originally introduced is con-
fcsscdly ''by-gone conclusion, !" that about
the only poin. Of difference between Gen.
! CaSs and those who are called prUyisoi>tS.
/ is, that Gen. c, believes that congress has
( no power TO pass laws for the regulation Of
the domestic concerns of the territories that
{ the territorial legislatures are sovereign
over all questions relating to their internal
dH"iN' dH'' '!"I l'tltiOie u - III litlI pow
| er 10 admit or exclude slavery while the
1 Provisoi>tS believe that congress is vested
with the power, (Which it las ever cXcr
cisedJ TO make all laws for the gov erlmcnt
of the territories, and that as the constl,u.
ton nowhere recognizes the existence of
slavery except as the domestic institution
Of sovereign states, congress has no night
10 extend it over territory which on coming
MO the possession Of the Union, shall be
free. The position Of Gen. Cas- is uuqucs-
! tiunaUly new one in the history Of our
government, aud docs not accord wiihthe
uniform action Of congress in relation to the
territories: but at the same time it must be
conceded that it far from the ultra southern
doctrine on the subject, which is that the
south have the right 10 60 into any new ter
'itory that may be acquired, with their
slaves, aud holl them as property, and tina;
neither congress or any existing or future /
laws Of those territories can prevent them. F.
and that slavery can only be intcrlcrcd
with in those territories after they are adj
mitted into the Union a sovereign states.
We make these comments with no view Of
prJuaicing any one either III favor or
against Gen. c. Our sole object is 70 have
a clear understanding of the matter.
Ailoat'
Grr Oh Cr;rul nj CrlIr,v t,,,r.,,.,, r,,,