The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-02-05
Democratic Views.

Mr.. McLsne (Dsmocrat) Of the Baltimore
Congressional District has made the best de-
fence Of the war we have yet read in the House.
We cannot give his speech--it is too lons-nor
synopsis Of it---for that would weaken his ar
vument. We differ with him in tote as to his
war views but We agree with him entirely rs TO
the main prinsiple he avowa, as regards the
rights Of States, in the ing paragraph -
The principal and main objection, sir, that
have heard advanced against the partial acquisi-
ton Of Mex can territory, will doubtless be APP
piled to the policy here indicated, and lies in the
supposed extension of Slavery among people
and over territory from which it is now ex-
cluded by municipal law. This objection, sir,
1 regard as of little weight-not because am in
any wise insensble TO the outrage which such
| q forced extension of such institution over an
unwilling people would constitute. | regard
this objection, air, of little weight, because do
not believe the act OF acquisition, of itself, would
necessarily extend this Institution over the ter
ritory SO acquired. Still less do | believe thai
Lhs sub ugallsn Of all Mssiee, and the subse-
quent government Of that country by the in
habitsnts thereof, under free and republican in
situations, Would ever result in the extension OF
| slavery beyond the limits where il now exists
Further, sir do not believe that any act Of the
federal government Of the United States can
either create or abolish slavery ony rhers. within
or without our present limits.
The powers Of our federal government over
tho institution Of slavery are limited; LIST, to
their enumeration, in fixing the ratio Of Con.
gressional representation 2d, to their arrest and
restoration when tsgiiioes from isbor; and Sd
to prohibit their importation or their immigrs-
| ticn from abroad subsequent 10 the year lo0s
hxyt \ nil tztas xUit
stscery existing therein as domestic municips
institution, as Florida and Losisisns, would re-
main slave ierritsry without regard and without
The sanction of treaty stipuations to make IL so
or to guaranty its existence.
On the other hand, territory acquired without
| the existence therein Of this municipal institu.
ton, would remain free, so far rs any power OF
Congress to create 1t there, or TO declare that Il
should exist there, is concerned. The people
whs may have abolished it therein, or who may
have failed 30 create il there, are alone possessed
Of sovereignty over it-being purely domestic
Lscai, and peculiar insfitufioR, recognized by the
federal constitution as such within the limits o.
such sovereignty as may have established it
aa institation recognised as existing in virtue o.
a sovereignty apart from, and independent OF
the federal constitution, though not inconsistent
| oifh II. Hence IL is, sir, l believe territory &C.
quired by the United States, either by purehss,
or conquest, and inhabited by people who becom.
citizens Of the United States, will maintain anC
establish such municipal institutions as are mosi
acceptable TO their own Uiu and oish, If con.
sistent with the constitution and laws of the
United States and the reserved rights Of the
States.
Congress has no power in The States to create
or abolish slavery! 1t cannot abolish or touel
the institution in Kentucky, or any Slave
State; nor can II create it on the Rio Grande, OF
in any new territory. This 10 the lar Abov,
any restriction, above any Wilmot-PrOviso. the
Constitution acts In this matter, and that South.
ern man or party who takes different ground, o,
asserts opposite principles, sf6rms, that Con.
gress has power over the entire subject.