Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-08-02

In all preside ntial elections, the public mind,
under the influence of some particu Iar que stion,
or questions, which il supposes TO be paramount
to all others, becomes more less excited: and
ii, many persons, the excitement is raised to such
pitch, and the feelings strongly elisted that
CELEBRATE judgment and reason arc subverted by
emotions and passions. which are clothed IN
words and hurled forth in voIIies and broaGsies
against those Who may interpose any obstacle TO
TINS current of feeling. This is not general
thing, however; but there are persons who
so filled with windy words that, when let of,
remind us very much Of steam engine with
breechcs GU!
/ Slavery extension is the exciting topic in this
as well as other sections Of the country; and the
question now is, how can we check its onward
course, and stay the endorse ,nent Of a sentiment
by this government, which may stregthen the
tenure Of slavery? 1t is not our intention to
address those who have gone wild, as it were,
on this subject, and whose arguments consist in
denunciation and vtuperation; remarks
intended for those who desire to arrive at the
truth.
The power Of Congress TO prohibit slavery in
territories is, at this late day. called in question
by some of the ultra slave propagandists,-
LEWIS CAss the locofoco candidate for pre- side nt
the head and front Of the opposition to this
power Of Congress. We now called upon to
endorse the base sentiment uttered by Cass:
THAT Congress has more right to pr otibt the
relation Of master and Stare, the territory that
may be acquired by this Government than il has
to prohibit the relation Of man and rife Shall
it he endorsed by eIecting, suffering him TO be
elected Taylor has not avowed such a senti-
ment, and consequently his election would not
be an endorsement of it, lie will sign any bill
which has been settled to be constitutional by
the various departments Of government and
quiesced in by the people. though he may be per-
sonaly opposed to it, This is evidence Of his
respect for our goyernme ut and her decisions
In ques tions which have not been tiled, the will
Of the people, as expressed through their repre-
sentaiives in Congress, will be respected and
carried out, unless il be a clear violation Of the
constitution. Now if it can be shown that Con-
gress has power to prohibit slavery the terrific
rics, and that it has been settled as above stated
then it will be evident TO all thinking men, who
opposed TO slavery extension. that il is their
duty to vote for Taylor.
Slavery is municipal regulation. 1t can ex-
ist legally only by positive law. This is point
recognized and clearly determined by the COM
mon law. and the law of nations and nature
Most of the southern States have acknowledged
its validity. The Supreme Court Of Kentucky
says:
'.Slavery is sanctioned by the laws of this
State, but we consider that right existing by
positive law Of municipal character without
foundation IN the law of nature"
The Supreme Court of Mississippi says:
at has been dete rmined in Virginia that slaves
persons. In the constitution of the L. States,
slaves specially designated as persons. The
right Of the master exists not by force of the law
Of nature, but by virtue Of a positive law Of a
State
In another case il says:
Slavery exists, not by the law Of nature: il
exists, and can only exist, through municipal
regulation
The Supreme Court of Louisiana has decided
il in the same manner, we'll several other
southern States.
From these decisions it is clear, beyond a rea-
sonabie doubt, that slavery cannot legally exist
the newly acquired territories. unless there be
positive law (by competent power creating il.
Calhoun and other slav ehotders. have taken the
extreme southern ground. and declare that sla-
very may exist in any Of the territories-that the
csss,tution secures the right Of the master TO 60
there With them because they are properly, and
that the te rritorial government would be inccm-
Pefent to prevent it. The premises upon which
This srsnme nj is ba.ed, not true; because slaves