Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-08-02
Baruburner Judges Opinion.

Every day adds new proof that the po,
sition of the Democratic party in regard to
the interference of Congress with the sub
ject of slavery in the Territories, is not on
ly the true constitutional ground, but that
it is the one best calculated to ensure
freedom in those territories; and Of this fact
our adversaries themselves are becoming
convinced. The Buffalo Commercial Ad-
verliser, which undoubtedly reflects the
sentiments of Mr.. Fillmore, the whig can
didate for Vice President, speaking of the
bill reported by the select committee Of the
Senate, TO establish Territorial govern
menls in Oregon, New Mexico and Cali
fornia, says:
sUnder it, there is every prospect that
Slavery will be excluded from the new ter
ri,ories by the in.erposition of natural OBJ
stacles, and that the predominating portion
of the population will come from the North,
carrying with them Northern principles
and Northern views upon this question"
The following extract from letter from
Judge GRAND C. BRoNsoN, one of the
Democratic Judges Of the Supreme Court
Of New York, to the Van Buren Conven-
ton held in New York City on the 18th
inst. shows what an honest "Barnburnes"
Judge thinks will be the effect Of Congress
''not exercising any jurisdiction over the
matter" Of slavery in the Territories, and
leaving it to the people themselves to reg
ulate "under the general principles of the
constitutions"
81 am utterly opposed to the extension
Of slavery into any territory Of the United
States where it does not now exist. But |
do not think it either necessary or espeds-
edit to call upon Congress to legislats on
the subject. The relation of master and
slave does not exist by the law of nature;
nor has the claim of the master, like the
right to property in general, been recog.
nized by all civilized communities. Sla.
very cannot exist where there is no posi-
tive law to uphold it. 1t is not necessary
that it should be forbidden; it is enough
that it is not specially authorized, If the
owner of slaves removes with or sends
them into any country, slate or territory,
where slavery does not exist by law, they
will from that moment become freemen,
and will have as good right to command
the master, as he will have to command
them. State laws have no extra territori.
al authority, and law of Virginia which
makes man slave there, cannot make
him slave in New York, nor beyond the
Rocky Mountains.
Entertaining no doubt upon that question,
1 can see no occasion for asking Con-
gress to iegaslrte against the extension of
Slavery into free territory, and as ques-
tlo" Of polscy,l | THINK IT HAD BET
TER BE LET ALONE. Ii our South.
ern brethren wish to carry their slaves to
Oregon. New Mexico or California, thev
will be under the necessity Of asking
a law 10 warrant it; and it will then be in
ure, as cannot doubt they would with un.
wavering frmness
would no: needless!y move this ques-
ton, because it is one of an exciting na-
ture, which tends to sectional division, and
may do US harm as a people. aUould
leare 1t to The slare holding states to de.
eide for themselves, and on their oaon re
sponsibilty, achem, If ever, the matter
shall be agatated in Congress. 1t may be
that they will act wisely, and never move
at all-especially IS it seems pretty gene
rally agreed, that neither Oregon, New
Mexico, nor California, are we'll adapted
10 slave labor"