Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-27


prohibition by Congress of slavery in territories
where il does not BOW exist, and they shall be
given in a few words, and in manner which
will not hope increase, IL It does mol DIMINISH
the existing excitement in the public mind.
The illustrious founders OF our Government
were not insensble to the apparent nconsis
tency between the perpetuation OF slavery IN the
United States, and the principles Of the Reyo
luton, as delineated in the declaration OF inde-
pcndence; and they were loo ingenious IN their
dispositions to attempt TO conceal the impress
sons by which they were embarrassed But
they knew, also, that its speedy abolition in Sc
yeral OF the States was impossible, and It's
existence in all without fault on the part Of The
present generation. They were also too up
righ, and the fraternal feelings which had car
ried them through the struggle for indopcnd.
ence, were too strong to permit them TO deal
with such matter upon any other principles
than those of liberalty and justice The policy
they adopted, was to guarantee TO the States in
which slavery existed, and conclusive control
over the subject within their respective uris.
dictions, but TO prevent by united efforts, its ex-
tension to territories of the United States in
which il did not in fact exist.
On all sides the most expeditions means 10
carry on this policy were adopted with alacrity
and good feeling Their first step was to inter-
dict the introduction of slavery into the North
western territory, now covered by the States Of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
This may Justly be regarded as being, in the
main, Southern measure. The subject was
first brought forward in Congress BY Mr.. Jetfer.
son. Virginia made the cesslon Of territory
upon which the ordinance was intended TO ope.
rate, and the representatives from all the slave
holding States gave il unanimous support.
Doubts have arisen in the minds OF some whe-
Their the ordinance Of 1857 was authorized by
the articles of confederation. bill was intro
duced In ti.- Congress al its first session
under the Constitution, recognizing and ting
il to the new organization, and II has ever
since been treated and regarded as a valid act.
This bill received the constitutional appreciation
of President Washington, whose highest ana
sworn duty it was to support the Constitution
under which it was enacted. Nor was the
North backward in doing lis part TO sustain the
policy which had been wisely adopted lhey
assented TO The insertion Of provisions IN the
Constitution necessary and sufficient to protect
that interest in the States, and they did more.
The trouble apprehendcd a, The commencement
of the government from this source, bryan 10
show itself as early as The year lI9O IN me form
OF petitions presented 10 Congress upon me SUD
iecl OF slavery and the slave trade by the Qnakers
OF Philadelphia and New York, and by DR.. Frank
lin, as president OF society Tor the promotion OF
abolition. These petitions were, in the House Of
Representatives referred 10 committee Of seven,
all bu, one Of whom were Northern members,
whose report, as amended IN committee VI me
whole, affirmed "iha, Congress have no power 10
interfere in the emancipation OF slaves, or IN me
IF fhn n n p
mainln. with the several States alone 10 provide
any regulation therein which humanity ana liuc
policy might require"
The perseverance, and good faith with which
both branches Of policy thus adopted have, until
very recently, been recognized and carried Out,
are highly honorable 10 the whole country. The
peculiar liability Of the subject 10 be converted
into an element OF political agitation, as Well IN
the slavehoGng as 10 the non-slaveholdins States,
NAV have led 10 occasional attempts 50 10 EN-.
ploy il, bur these efforts have been very success.
iuly frustrated by the good sense and good feel.
ing OF the people, in every quarter OF The Union.
A detailed account OF the numerous acts OF the
Federal government, susta ming and carrying IN
10 full effect the policy OF rs founders upon The
subject OF slavery in The States, and It's extension
10 The territories and the step. TAKEN in the nom
sayeholding States TO suppress or neutrallzs un.
due agitation in regard 10 il, would be alike in
s!uclve and honorable 10 The actors in them.-
Blu, II will b. readily perceived thai This could
no. BIZ given within the ecsssary limits OF com
municarion like The present.
Ii must therefore, suffice 10 say, that from 1901
The dates Of The ordinance for the prevention Of
slavery in the North Western Territory down Il
and including 1888, a, least eleven acts OF Con
gress have been passed, organizing territories
which have since become States, in all Of which
the constitutional power Of Congress 10 inicriic
The Introduction Of slavery into The territories d
the United States IS either directly exercised, OF
clearly asserted b. enacmrns, which, As matters
OF authority are !anlamo1nt 10 lis exercise; am
that al the only period when the peace othe slave
holding States was supposed 10 be seriously en-
dangered by abolition agitation there was spon-
aneous uprising OF the people OF the North, OF
both parties, by which agitation was paralyzed
and the South treasured OF our fidelity 10 the
promises OF the constitution.
In the laws for The organization OF the terrific.
ries which now constitute the States Of Ohio, In.
diana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa
slavery was expressly prohibited. The laws for
the organization OF the territories Of Mississippi,
Orleans, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida, con
tanned enaclments fully equivalent in regard 10
the cx'enl OF power in Congress over The subject
OF slavery in the territories 10 me express exer-
else OF il in The other cases. These acts were
approved by Presidents Washington, The elder
Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe Jackson
and myself, all bound by our oaihs of office 10
which we believed unconstitutional II in the
passage Of these laws during perioi OF halt a
century, and under the administration of so many
Presidents, there was any Thing like sectional d..
visions or greater or less participation in their
enactment on the part OF the representatives OF
the save.holdiDg or OF the non. slaveholding
States am no! aPprised Of il.
believe the plan devised by The founders of
the Government, including the fathers of our pc.
ltcal church, for the treatment, Of this great sub.
ject, and which has hitherto been SO faithfully
sustained, and which has proved SO successful
in preserving the union OF these States, 10 be
not only the wiscsl which the wit oil man could
have devised, but the only one consisicn; with
the safety and prosperity OF the whole country.
do therefore desire 10 see II continued 50 long
as slavery exists in the United States. The e1-
tent TO which have sustained il in the various
public stations have occupied is known 10 the
country. was al the time we'll aware that
went iariher in this respect than many OF my
best friends c0uli approve. But, deeply penetfa.
ted by The conviction that slavery was the only
subject that could endanger our blessed union,
was determined hat 20 effort on my part, within
The pale OF The Constitution, should he wanting 10
sustain lis compromises as they were then under.
stool, and il is now source OF consolation 10 me
that pursued The course adopted
The doctrine which the late Baltimore Con.
vention has presented Tor The sanction OF the ma
lion is, in substance, that The laws have referred
10 were SO many violations of the Constitution
that this instrument! confe!s no power on Con-
gress 10 exclude slavery from the territories, as
has often been done with the assent Of ALL This
doctrine is sci forth in the published opinion Of
the highly respectable nominee OF that Conyen-
ioE, who il is well known received that dislinc.
lion because he avowed tina; opinion, and who it
is equally certain, would no, have received il il
be had not done SO. Ii is proposed 10 give this
doctrine the mos, solemn sanction known TO our
polica system, by the election oil its declared
advocate and supporter 10 the Presidency. II il
receives the proposed sanction Of the people OF the
United Sales, The result cannot be doubtful. The
policy in regard to the extension OF slavery TO The
territories Of The Uniled States into which il has
mol yet been introduced, which has existed since
The commencement CT The government, and the
ccnseorpnres OF which have been so xau,ary