The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-12
From Governor Johnsions Message.
PENNSYLVANIA ON SLAVERY EN-
TENSION.

ThNSAoNs
The acquisition Of New Mexico and Cal
ifornia, presents again in the National Con-
gress, the important question OF the extern
sion or non-extension of human slavery,
At the adoption of the national Constitution,
the longer continuance of what was then con-
sidered an evil was strongly agitated, and
resulted in compromise permitting it in the
States where at that time It existed. The
Constitution being submitted to the States,
was adopted with others by Pennsylvania,
and after the lapse Of more than half cen
fury, it remains the great fundamental law
Of the Union. To preserve and perpetuate
ito acknowledge its supremacy,
maintain and defend its principles, land to
submit to its compromises are duties to
which every citizen is pledged, whatever
his opinions in relation to questions arising
under it. This fundamental law recognizes
the right to hold slaves in the States which
were parties to the compact, but It makes
no farther acknowledgment. It bears on
its plain and expressive pages no agreement,
express or implied, for the further extension
ofhuman slavery. That this nationalwrong
has been extended with the progress of pop
ulation, is not ali argument in favor OF its
Justice, its constitutional right, or Of the sal
utary effect it has producedin the territories
where it has been admitted Shall it be
still further extended Tothe Congress of
the United States belongs the authority to
settle this important question Before 1t
shall have been determined, the opinions Of
our citizens on the subject should be fully
and distinctly made known, through their
public functionares to the confederate States.
The right to instruct our Senators, and re-
quest the representatives in the National
Councils, ought not TO be used on light and
trivial occasions, while on subjects grayely
affecting the well being Of the country, il
becomes duty which none will venture to
decline In the exercise of this admitted
right, the Legislature will find the opportuni-
ty to express in terms not to be mistaken,
the position which is held by Pennsylvania
on this grave and momentous question,
While the compromises Of the Constitu-
ton should be maintained in good faith to-
wards our Southern brethren, it is our duty
to see that they are preserved with equal
fidelity to ourselves No encroachments,
however sanctioned by use, should be ac-
knowledged as precedenta for further wrongs
against the interests, prosperity and happi-
ness Of the non-slave holding States Of the
Union. If slavery be, in itself, an ntrac-
ton Of human rights; if it'be directly OPP
posed to the enlightened spirit OF our free
institutions if it destroy the equality OF
power in the general government, by enlarg-
ing where it exists, the constitutional rep
resentation--if il possess a direct or indirect
influence against Northern and Western poll
cy and interests, by promoting system Of
laws destructive to domestic industry, and
vitalv affecting free labor, = if it retard the
natural growth Of population and improve
ment, by the appropriation Of large tracts Of
land, for the benefit Of the few, to the inlu-
ny of the many,-if i be in open defiance
Of the spirit of the age, the march Of rational
truth, and the enlightened policy OF man
kind 1T is time to arrest lis further progress.
These, it is believed are the settled con-
victons Of our citizens, and their determi-
nation TO maintain them is unalterable. .
r.