The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-15

ples, and thus to a dishonorable termination
of the war think no dispsssionate observer
at the seat Of Government can doub. the re-
suit
a. III, however, in this / am under a misap-
prehension. am under none in the practical
operation Of this restriction, If adopted by Con-
| gress, upon treaty Of peace, making any sc-
aulsition of Mexican territory. Such treaty
would be rejected just as certainly as presented
| 10 the Senate. More than one third Of that
body would vote against it, viewing such Prin-
chile as an exclusion Of the citizens Of the slave
| holding States from participation In the bene-
| fits acquired by the treasure and exertions Of
ell, and which should be common to all. am
repeatlng-neither advancing nor defending
these views. That branch Of the subject does
not lie in my way, and shall not turn aside to
seek IT,
| In this aspect of the matter, the people Of the
United States must choose between tins restrict
ton and the extension Of their territorial limits.
They cannot have both; and which they will
surrender must depend upon their representa-
tyes first, and then, il these fail them, upon
themselves.
g. But after all, il seems 10 be generally con-
ceced that this restriction, II carried into effect,
| from newly acquired territory. The well known
attributes Of Sovereignty, recognized by us as
belonging 10 theState government, would sweep
before them any such barrier, and would ieave
the people to exprsss and exert their will at
pleasure.
Mr.. CAss does not see In the Constitution any
grant of the requisite power to interfere with
Slavery in a territory. Very well. Suppose
masters take their servants to Matamoras, and
that the region Of which 1t is the capitol, be an
nexsd as territory-and suppose these servants
should by the proper process, claim their free
dom before proper tribunal-what would
what ,nusf--these Courts decide The law of
Mexico does not recognize slavery. Congress
has no power to create il. The usage Of our
Government, as Gen. Cass admits. since the first
Congress under our present Constltution-for
the ordinance of 1881 was passed then--has been
to exercise jurisdiction over territories Here
then are individuals setting up claim to prop
erty In man when the law Of the place, the law
of Nations, and the declarations Of every Judiei-
airy in every slave State, assert, or admit. that
such claim is founded on injustice, and can only
be ie0aIised by the sovereign power Of the State
itself The decision Of the Courts must be
against the masters. We care not who the
Judges are, or where they come from; If they
obey the law, they will declare the slaves free
Slave-owner certainly, will not risk their
"prOperty' upon Cen Cass' theory-a theory
which proves too much by denying to Congress
all jurisdiction over territories, and at the same
time confers upon Government power over
the soil which is limited only by Its will.
But General Cass asks, referring to the Rio
Grande, and the country East of it;
"Can il slavery 90 thsrel This may well
be doubted. "Beyond tho Del Norte,"
says Mr.. Walker in his Texas letter, "slavery
will not pass; not only because II is forbidden
by law, but because the colored race there pre-
pOnderates in the ratio of ten 10 one over the
whites; and holding, as they do, the government
and most Of the offices In their possession, they
will not permit the ensavsment Of any portion
Of the eolOred race, which makes and executes
the laws Of the country"
The South rejects this view, and properly
The question is one ofright, Of law. Either
slavery can exist in a territory or it cannot. II
Congress has the power to say "No, 1T should
be promptly said. We know-She whole South
udderstands--what Northern politicians mean,
when with one breath they say, ego where you
please with your slaves" and with another,
" they can't take them in any region where they
are not now" The issue cannot be lodged
thus. II must be met. For what would be the
position of save-owners who should gOto Mata-
moras with their slaves, if Michigan should
instruct Gen. Csss land be believes In the doc
trine Of Instruction. to vote for u declaratOry
law affirming freedom in cur territories So
grave a matter ought not to be left in doubt
Letthe law be declared, whatever it is believed
to be. 1t is the only way to ensurethe common
] peace, and prevent sectional disputes which
Senator CAss 80 much, and justly breads.
Enough, however, for the present We shall
notice Gen. Cuss' views as to the diffusion Of
slavery, and other matters, in his letter, next
week.