The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-05
.rE-La-.al- -.x.t

consequences Of the right territory but whichever
may Be the soa,Ss whence the power is derived INC
Nothiay be clearer more satisfactory on TINS
point While this doctrine conforms to the plain dictates
been by the uniform practice under the con-
sution. The latter class OF cases too numerous 10
e this a and therefore
not again bring them to the attention OF the Senate.
therefore find the power Of Congress to make law for
Territory absolute and unlimited have only to con.
slider whether a law prohibiting slavery in Territory
where slavery does not already exist is sound policy for
such Territory.
Now if we can make any law whatever, not contrary
TO the express prohibitions OF the constitution, can
enact that man with $4,000 worth of bank notes OF
Maryland shall forfeit the whole amount il he attempts
TO pass one of them in the Territory of California. We
may say II a man carries menagere of wild beasts
there worth 100000. and undertakes to exhibit them
lis nenasere and saws that the law forbade him to ex
hbit his animals there; il thought that
omca arrangement such things should not be tolerated
goes back having lost his whole concern But now you
take slave to California, and instantly your power fails
all the power OF the sovereignty OF this country is i'm
potent to stop him. That strange sort OF argument
to me- 1t has always been considered that when State
forms its constitution it can exclude slavery Why so
Because il chances to consider it evil II It be
proper subject OF legislation in State, (and we have alb
o!utc legislative power, transferred TO us by virtue OF
tins bloody power OF conquest as some say or by pur.
Again. considering this abstract question, there
not duties devoving upon us, for the performance OF
which we may not be responsible to any earthly tribunal
but for which GoI who has created ALL will hold
sccountablel What your duty. above all Others to
conquered people, You say is your duty TO give them
aagoverament May you not, them DO everything for
mental automatic truth at the foundation OF your const
tutione Show me, then how your action is pecluded
Se he Of my bd, ur VITA
The constitutions OF many States declare slavery to be
evil. Southern gentlemen have said that they would
have done away with it il possible and they have apol
ogxed the world and themselves for The existence
OF it in their States These honest old of another
day never could have failed to strike off the chains from
every negro in the colonies it had been possible for
them do without upturnng the foundations OF society
do not revive these things to wound the feelings of
ton as valuable bu. many Of them also know regarl
1t evil. But slavery is not in Oregon; it is not in
CALIFORNIA; and when find that you have tranped down
the people in order TO extend your dominion them,
feel il to be my duty, when you appeal to to make
laws for them, tand the Supreme Court has said that
have the power e Do so to avert from them this evil of
slavery and establish free institutions, under which no
man can say that another is his property lido not doubt
this power. know that it has been considered OF old.
T IN the have
and the Supreme Court OF the United States have sad In
that decision often referred to, that was 80 Have
would you do II you were in Oregon to-day. AMI it
State' What would you do, and you, and you' Would
ANY ass h SnHnS acting m S
overoardened with slaves, If this were !rue it would
which ought prevail between the various States of the
Union. to admit slaves whenever the slave States be-
came oyerburdensd with them. Do we so act in lesis
slaves, or free them, you will; but i is our wish
that there shall be no slavery here" You may I'M
s 10 hs sv o not into
Am not, then. bound to lay the foundations Of that
the way which think The most likely to produce bene.
fcal results TO the people there And when lind my
surite responsibility, threats of dissolution OF the
Union, no heartburnings here there, and least OF all
that which we have heard much OF out Of doors-the
coming presidential election shall deter from pursuing
this course. for making law in the language Of
the ordinance of 17s7. would have it enacted that
slavery shall never exist in that country Then when
my black man comes 10 the Supreme Court of the United
States, as provided in this BILL he comes with positive
law in his avor that court must override the decision
OF the Peters, else such appeal must be sustain
cd. Then we will have acted upon the subject we will
have forbidden slavery observed that some gentlemen
whs handled this subject were very careful to repeat
hIbi,ei. That is the reason prefer tho ordinance Of
1857 to the called compromise bill have no doubt
that who ssssned to that bill Rs1
doubt that our friends from the North thought it would
be effective in preventing slavery in these Territories
think He supports the bill for the very reason that
will admit slavery; the from Vermont for the
reason that slavery i forbidden BY it, Now in this con
fusion of ideas, desire that Congress, if it have any
opinion express it.
If we have any power TO egsate these Terrific
es how long would it take to write down the sixth
cc of the ordinance of 1857? Those of who think
that ought to be fundamental law in the organization OF
Territories, will vote for it, and those Of who believe
otherwise, will against it and whichever party tri-
nmpbs will give law TO Oregon and California bearing
the responsibility But must say, that do not like
shutting oil the responsibility which upon now and
which cannot avoid. The Supreme Court may over
rule our dccsion but if we think we have power to
odan that slavery shall not exist in that Territory lei
say So if not let us decide Let not evade the
question altogether
That honorable senators who reported this bill had its
passage very much at heart, have no doubt do
feel disposed to deny that every OF them believed
that just such calculated to give
tranquility to the agated minds OF the people of this
country. WE'LL do not for that agitation further
what my powers and my duties are. have heard much
of his-l have been myself prophet of dissolution OF
this Union; but have seen the Union OF these States
survive mmy shocks, that am not afraid OF dssou-
fon. Perhaps indeed, when this cry OF wolf has been
long dsregarded he come at a when not expected
but do not believe that the people of the South are will
ling themselves from this republic because we
will establish slavery here there Ii we have no
power pass the ordinance OF 1857 let the people OF the
South 60 to the Supreme Court and have the question
decided 1t will only be few months till the court re-
its session here, and the question then be tried
If the decision be against the gentlemen of the South
RES Let us, them make the law think it ought to
be made now.
am the more confirmed in the course which am de-
termned pursue by some historical facts elected h
very discussion remember what said by the sena-
tor from Virginia the other day Ii is truth that, when