The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-17
Question.

SiSahOn VI INC genuine scntlinenH OF the pcO-
pie Of the South:
Que.iies.
The sztsHsiOR of SlaUeTy OUeT Soil ROp Free, or
its continued Freedom, determined BY people
bOasting themselves Free
The decision of this question can no longer
be postponed, and /, a man Of the South-a
slave owner-born and reared under Southern
institutions, feel no greater sOIicitude on the
subject, than that the South may not act un-
wisely or unworihily in its final adjustment.
1t mus; be settled on its merits. On broad,
national, philanthrOpic, constitutional grounds
on the grounds Of principle and of common
interest; on grounds alike becoming our ma
tiOnal honor and dignity, and upon a calcuIa-
ton of what may be the Just expectations Of
the civiised world from the action Of the en-
ightened people Of free Republic. The voice
Of conscience must be heard. The ultra views
Of political hucksters, must not be allowed 10
endanger the stability of the fabric Of our blood
bought confederacy. The weight of moral
condemnation welded by the dispassiOnais, the
patriotic, and the honest, must be banded and
brought into action, 10 still forever the elamor
of interested faction. A NATIONAL spirit must
be aroused, sufficiently concentrated and active,
to shame to silence all who dare to whisper
reasonably against the integrity Of our union
sufficiently wise, TO sacrifice all Of abstract
right, and something Of essential right on the
altar Of patriotism.
Slavery is statutory provision Of the slave
States, guaranteed by the Constitution. Upon
the discretion Of Congress depends its further
extension. Originally. the representation on
the floor Of Congress Of three-fifths of the
Southern slaves, was the result Of compromise
which allowed TO the smaller States an equal
representation to the Senate Of the U. s. The
object Of the Wilmot prOviso, is to refuse the
sanction Of Congress 10 the extension of slavery
over new territory, California alone being IN
legislated for on this question.
So far as California is or can become a ground
Of contention the question of free soil is settled
By the impOssibility of holding slaves there in
anticipation Of the slavery guarantee; by the
impossibility Of defending against foreign assault
feeble slave State on the Pacific south Of DC. 30
(the compromise line) were IL established-and
by the insupersble difficulty that the free citi-
rens now in California, and hundreds of thOus-
ands who are now, or will shortly be on the way
to that new Ell Dorado, have decided the Ques-
ton, the spirit Of our institutions rendering
that decision fiLal.
ISow, si'e above s.h5sosso..- ~ ~sss--
ton Of the question which have been often
urged, and by some Of our wisest statesmen
yet they are as often overlooked, by Southern
demagogues, in the clamor they seem deter.
mined to maintain.
But among enlightened Southerners, the
honest admission is often made-that slavery is
an absolute evil in political economy, and an
abstract wrong in morals. With what face,
then, can we propose to our Northern brethren,
the extension eff this political eril and this mora
proRg over nsp territory Can we say, al, is
our eUii, our rrOng," and that therefore, "IAey
may be passive while zoe suffer the one and
commit the o,herl" They cannot be passive.
The Constitution invokes their authority
through Congress, in iegislating for the Dis
trict Of Columbia and the territories, and at the
bar Of Heavens ehaneery they will not be held
guiltless Of wrongs done in their name, and by
their authority; though human expediency may
overturn or overlap the court Of conscience on
earth.
II Is offered as a reason for Southern eoutu-
macy on the question Of territorial slavery.
"that this territory is to become States" and If
this question be conceded, "the balance of
power will be in the free States in the Senate Of
the United States" Apart from the considera-
ton, that the convenience or iaeontenienee of
an act is no just element for determining II,
jusfiee-and that "the balance Of power 10
important only between rival nations, there ID
this to be said: "That our whole system of
Government must be adjrdged imprscticabls, II
this exact equality Of power on contested quss-
tons be indisPsnsabls'-for every day would |
require Ito adjustment. - IL would countsnance |
or sssablish an inequality; bssidss. every oct