Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-12

This brings me to my third proposition which is tina,
Congress is not in its legislation for the Territories,
look to their welfare alone, but is bound regard the
good Of the parties interested in the ownership Of the
Territories. This, will be perceived in direct oppo-
sion TO the opinions advanced by distinguished gentleman
from Massachusetts,, the successor Of Mr. ADAMS, (Mr.
MANN in his beautiful Introductory speech in this hala
speech which, confess listened to with admiration though
strongly dissened from Of its sentiments The gen.
teman insists that Congress, egsatng for the Territories
must look their good alone, and shape all
advance their prosperity without any regard the rights OF
the people Of the several States This doctrine though has
certain charm about it, is wholly erroneous Let us apply
this reasoning to the Territory OF Oregon which, stretching
along the Pacific coast fronts certain parts Of Northeastern
Asia. Would Congress have right say that this Terri.
tory should be occupied only by coonss from China
prosperous trade might be attained with the East and the
prosperity of Oregon rapidly advanced if that
taken Unquesiionaby not Or, suppose that Congress
should happen conclude that important to the well
fare of that territory TO allow only manufacturing population
TO remove there, would be proper to egsae for this object
PROFESSIONALLY not.
The gentleman from territory which
acquire the property of this Government and insists
that Congress possesses the right 10 control il absolutely
This is very results from certain sys
emof political training flour Government monarchy,
and all powers the sovereign power conferred in the crown
the argument might hold good it might be maintained
if the States which represent consolidated into
great empire. But sir, is federalye republic it
bears resemblance to empire whatever it structure
unlike what the world saw, deriving It's powers from
sovereign States who members Of this confederation and
this Government this General Government exercise none
but the powers which clearly granted by States
Whatever territory acquired acquired for the people of the
several States and Congress remember 10 exercise its
legislative functions in regard to it their agent
am asked by my friend from New York Mr. DUER) where
the restrictions on the Congress found They
result from the very nature of political system If there
parties to this conedeacy portion of whom oud be
injured by the legislation of Congress- is Congress asnc in
good faith when exercises legislation in that direction
Congress, my friend from Tennessee near me (Mr GEN
TRY well suggests would thus, agent for all
the States who parties to the interest," abuse power for
the benefit OF of the parties. cannot be de-
MED that all the States Of this Union have clear title to the
property acquired by their Government and they have an
equally clear equitable right to its enjoyment
The distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts, has, it
seems TO fallen into another He regards agricu
ture Of little moment in the catalogue Of labor but eulo
gized the manufacturing interests degree which confess
startled me, coming from gentleman from that section
OF the country he drew beautiful picture of the triumph
of Nature representing him as standing
by the side OF running stream and bidding do his labor
or employing as his agents all the elements in the material
universe In his eye the wheel driving thousand spindIes
is object OF far higher interest than outspead fields waving
with grain The god who commands the Penobscot
the kennebeck the Merrimack the Connecticut to saw
TIMBER to make CLOTH to grind corn, far noble as we'll
as potent IN his esmaton than the who es the forest
who lays bare the earth with the poughsha who gathers
the abundance of the fields into his granaes would not
undevaue manufactures any of the mechanic arts The
gentleman shall not surpass my admiration Of human
skill viii visit with him all tie factories Of New England
will follow his lead along the rushing streams which set in
motion all the busy machinery of his region will 90 with
nm into every workshop where plies its unceasing toll
and VIII rejoice every sign of prosperity which meets
us IN our progress But sir, will then ask him 60 forth
with me to the fields them laid open for the reception
OF the precious seed white for the harvest will bid him
listen to the cheerful songs of labor that greet the ear and
will then call on him say with that the earth presents
no more beautiful spectacle than this and that employment
nober than the simple peaceful pursuit which God gave to
e i'm ont of 7 10 dos
dsparage any branch of industry but place agriculture
highest in the scale of human labor But this great interest
the gentleman seemed overlook and because the cultivation
Of the soil by slave labor would in his opinion hinder the
prosperity Of the territories where introduced he
would exclude this labor from them all Proceeding on the
idea that all the territorial possessions belong the General
Government and not to the States proceeding on the idea
that legating for the territories Congress must look In
their welfare Alone he would exclude slavery for the simple
reason that slavery not in his judgment suited to the highest
development of their The planter with his slaves
VINO seeks to enter the territory belonging him in common
with the people of this whole country cultivate the earth is
TO excluded while the manufacturer is invited 10 take mn his
abode there erethis buildings and his operatives to work
Why, this IS the ophistry which the world ever heard
Of Inc calamity OF our times is that We have abandoned
the great, broad clear principles which distinguished The
action OF fathers turning our ewes 10 new lights
we are yielding ourselves up philosophical specuaons in
all the departments Of life and patriotism il lost in wild
and cratic philanthropy II in this way that we become
aenaed from each other Let sober
principles, and suffer ourselves be guided by those hipb
holy motives which animated fathers in the formation
Of this confederacy
Bot sir, while contend for the right Of the people repre-
sented by here to take their property into the Territories
Of the United States, and enjoy without moeaon, am
ready to settle this great question in the spirit which has more
than saved this country. do ask every thing for
the section of the country from which come wish here
10 aude to proposition which has recently started and
which has been the topic Of for some DAYS past
in the other branch of Congress speak Of what is called
" the compromise BILL" So far as comprehend il unhe
sitaingy express my opposition il, and If should ever
reach this House in its present shape shall my vote
against it.
The proposes recognise and ray the act of the
Territorial Legislature Of Oregon excluding slavery and to
leave the question in California and New Mexico 10 be de-
cded by the courts under existing laws.
The question to the existence Of slavery in any part Of
the United States IS political question, and judicial
question II has always been treated political question
When the question up the Convention which framed
the constitution is well known that conflicting views were
entertained respecting it then discussed political
question: and il proved TO be very formidable one /, was
formation Of political sysiema compromise rs wise as
patriotic compromise which produced tranquility them
and which deserves 10 be studied now.
Upon the admission Of Missouri into the Union this oues-
ton was again regarded political question. The only
barrier TO the admission Of that State found in this cues
ton compromise entered into-a compro
mise which was believed to be permanent and which
was regarded as binding upon The whole country in letter
and in spirit II compromise which in nv Judgment
sacrificed The just rights Of the South and OF which the North
should be the very last to complain.
In obedience to It's spirit the South gave up portion Of
Louisiana to frame nonsavehodng States yet the successors