Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-09

and transmitted to W with the injunction that should
joy its blessings and band down unmpaed to those who
may come after us
In view Of the het and responsible duties which we owe
ourselves and TO mankind, trust you may be able your
present session. to approach the adjustment OF tho only do
nestle question with seriously threatens, probably
threaten TO d the harmony and successful operation
II of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions of New Mexico and
California ALREADY inhabited by considerable population
Attracted by their gea fertility, their mineral wealth, their
commercial advantages and the sauby Of the climate. emf
grants from the oldS States great numbers already
preparing to seek new homes in these inviting regions
Shall the dssimiaity Of the domestic Institutions in the
different States prevent from providing for them suitable
governments Thee Institutions existed at the adoption of
the constitution, but the obstacles which they neposed
by that spit Of compromise which is invoked
In conflict OF opn1ns Of interests, real or imaginary, be-
tween different secips Of country, neither justly de-
nand all which mh desire to obtain. Each, in the spirit
OF institutions ud concede something the other.
Our gallant forces the Mexican war; by whose patriotism
and unparalleled dee Of obtained these possessions
as an indemnity for mr. just demands against Mexico
composed of CITIZENSHIP belonged State section
OF oar Union. Theywere from saveholding aid
savehodng States fom the North and the South from the
East and the West They all companions and
flowcitzens OF the me country, engaged in the
same common cause. When prosecuting that war; they
brethren and friends and shared alike with each other
tolls, dangers AMI suerngs. Now, when their work
ended when peace restored and they return again
their homes put off tn, habimens of war; take their places
IN society, and esum, their pursuits in civil life surely
spirit OF harmony and ncson and of equal regard for the
hts OF all and of all ectons Of the Union ought to prevail
IN providing governments for the acquired erTories-he
fruits OF their common service The whole people of the
United States and OF every State contributed to deay the
penses OF that and twoud not be just for any
ton to exclude another from all participation in the acquired
territory. This would be in with the Just sys
tenn OF government which the trainers Of the constitution
adopted
The quest is believed be rather abstract than prac
in If
the acquired territory, If lett the option of the
slavehoding States themselves From the of the eli
mate and productions in much the larger portion Of it, it
certain could exist and in the remainder the proab
ies are would not But however this may te the qres-
on involving does principle Of equality Of rights Of
the separate and several States equal copanes the
federacy, should not be dsregsrded.
In organizing governments these territories duty
imposed Congress by the constitution requires that they
should egsae the subject of slavery, while hei power
do so not only seriously questioned but denied many Of
the soundes expounders OF that instrument Whether Con-
gres shall egsae not the people OF tie acquired terrific
res, when assembled in convention form State constitutions
will possess the sole and exclusive power determine for
themselves whether slavery shall shall exist within their
limits II Congress shall abstain from interfering with the
question, the people Of these territories will be left free adj
just they may think proper, when they apply for lms-
sion as States into the Union No Enactment Of Congress
could restrain The people Of any of the sovereign States the
Union, old or new, north SOUTH sayehodng nonave
holding from determining the character Of their domestic
institutions they may deem wise and proper Any aud all
the States possess this right and Congress deprive
them Of it, The people Of Georgia might, if they chost SO
alter their constitution 10 abolish slavery within its limits,
and the people Vermont might alter constitution as
to admit slavery within its limits. Both States would possess
The right though, all know, it probable that ether
would exert it.
Ii is fortunate for the peace and harmony Of the Union that
this question is in IFS temporary and can only continue
for the brief period which will intervene before California and
New Mexico may be admitted States into the Union. From
the tide OF population flowing into Them it is highly pro-
babe that this will occur.
Considering the several states and the citizens Of the
raj States equals and entitled equal rights under the
Constitution, If this original question 1T might well
be insisted on that the principle Of nonnerierence the
doctrine and that Congress could not the absence Of any
express grant Of power interfere with their relative rights
Upon great emergency, however, and under menacng
gers to the Union the Missouri compromise line respect
slavery adopted. The line extended further
west in the acquisition Of Texas After acCuescence of
nearly thirty years in the principle Of compromise recognised
and established by these acts ard avoid the danger the
Union which might fIow if il disregarded, have
heretofore expressed the opinion that that line of compromise
should be extended the parallel of hrty-x degrees thirty
minutes from the boundary Of Texas, where now
terminates, to the Pacific This is the middle ground
Of compromise upon which the different sections Of the Union
may they have heretofore met If this be DONE il Is
confidently believed large majority Of the people # every
section Of the country however widely their abstract opinions
the subjec Of slavery may differ would chceuly and pa
otcay acquesce in it and peace and harmony would again
fill our borders.
The restriction north of the line only welded 10 in the
of Missouri and Texas upon principle of compromise
made necessary for the sake Of preserving the harmony, and
possibly the existence Of the Union.
II upon these considerations that the close Of your
last session. gave my sanction the principle Of the Missouri
compromise line by approving and signing the bill establish
''he territorial government of Oregon. From sincere de-
sire preserve the harmony Of the Unon and in Difference
Tor the acts Of my predecessors felt constrained yield my
acquescence the extent which they had gone compro-
missing this delicate and dangerous question But Congress
shall the decision by which the Missouri compro-
mise effected and shall propose extend the restriction
the whole territory, south well north Of the parallel
Of thrtysx degrees thirty minutes il will TO a COM
promise, and must be regarded original question.
Congress- instead Of observing the Of nonnter-
enco, leaving toe adoption Of their domestic ns;ucns
the people who may nhabt these territories it, instead Of
prefer submit the legal and constitutional questions which
may arise the decision Of the Judicial tribunals pro-
posed in bill which passed the Senate your last session.
astmen may be effected in this mode If the whole subject
be referred the judiciary all parts Of the Union should
checrly scquesce in the final decision tribunal created
by the constitution for the settlement Of all questions which
may arise under the constitution, treaties and laws Of tie
United States.
Congress earnestly invoked for the sake Of the Union
lis harmony, and continued prosperity nation, adj
just its present session this, the only dangerous question
which lies in pahif not in Of the sug-
gested in other which may be satisfactory
In anticipation OF the establishment Of regular governments
the acquired Territories joint commission Of officers Of
the army and navy has ordered to proceed the
OF California and Oregon, for the purpose Of making
OSsdces and report to the proper sites for the erection
OF Notifications defensive works on labd spd of su