The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-09


Thus, the representatives OF the newborn republic, egs
atng Tor the old government and framing system
for the better administration OF their
sitting In different places and acting separate capacl
tes-were jointly engaged in Graduating what they
sidered great public evil and reproach While the
former declared that slavery should henceforh be forever
prohibited IN the Northwestern Territory the latter vlr
ally declared Enough in the form of restriction the
exercise OF a power the American slave trade should
cease after the year 1907 Il would have been abolished
at once but for the opposition OF South Carolina and
Georgia the only States which were at that time DESTROYS
OF continuing 1t.
In the federal convention. Virginia was among the
foremost in her opposition to the slave trade. Madison
and Mason and Randolph were dlsting for the
ability and zeal with which they advocated It's mme-
date suppression. They were unwilling to wait twenty
years for It's abolition But their efforts were unavaihng
and for fear South Carolina and Georgia would not come
into the Union, compromise was agreed on, and the
traffic was tolerated until 1908 On the first day OF January
OF that year, the very first day, Congress had power TO
make its prohibition efectve the slave trade abol
shed forever by an act passed ten months before.
have stated these historical details, Mr. President, for
the purpose of showing two facts L. That the policy of
the founders OF the republic to get rid of slavery by
preventing its extension, and by supervising the African
slave trade; and 2 That some OF the southern States
were among the foremost in advocating both measures,
with view to the accomplishment Of the ultimate OBJ
ject One of the avowed objects of the abolition of the
slave trade prevent the extension of slavery into
the territories. The same policy prevailed for many
years The inhabitants OF the Northwest Territory,
portion of it. uhat portion, believe, which consti
VI COn-
gress for the privilege of importing slaves from the States
and they had sufficient influence in Congress obtain
two reports in favor of temporary suspension OF the
sixth article of the ordinance of 1887 But Their prayer
was not granted. The inhabitants of louisiana before
the abolition of the slave trade, petitoned for the priv
eegge of importing slaves Their prayer was denied.
prevent the extension OF slavery beyond the States and
Territories in which it existed
have always been opposed to interference with slave
y where it exists The federal government has
troll over IT, directly or indirectly, within the limits of the
States 1t is civil relation over which they have
elusive jurisdiction II must ever rest with them to de-
termne whether II shall be continued or abolished with
IN their limits. But it is not with the territories.
Congress has always exercised the power of regulating
their civil as well as their political relations The terri
orla governments the creatures of federal egisla-
ton; they have no powers except such conferred
them by Congress Congress stands the inhabit.
ants of the territories in the relation in which the State
legislatures stand to the people of the States The power
OF regulating the internal concerns OF the inhabitants of
the territories has been exercised under every admnstra
ton since the formation of the constitution.
Sir hold the exercise OF this power for the exclusion
OF slavery from California and New Mexico to be
of higher obligation than it in respect to the North
Territory. Slavery existed in that territory at the
time the ordinance Of 1857 was framed and passed The
tenure oil slaves owned by the inhabitants OF the territory
and held within 1t was sanctioned by the courts The
prohibition construed to extend only to persons born
or brought INTO the territory subsequently to the adoption
OF the ordinance
The situation of California and New Mexico is entirely
different Mexico long since abolished slavery through
out her limits. The abolition first publicly pro-
claimed by President Guerrero 1929, pursuance,
the decree declares. OF extraordinary powers vested in
him. 1t was again declared to be abolished by act OF
the sovereign Congress in 1887, and again by the cons
tuition Of ls44 Though, nation. but imperfcctly
civilized, struggling against the endorsements of bad
government and distracted by internal dissensons ars
ing in great degree Out of the heterogeneous character
OF her population, Mexico has, nevertheless placed her
institutions on the broad foundation OF human liberty by
declaring all within her limits to be free.
10 permit slavery to be carried into California and New
Mexico would be to annul this declaration, and to
establish slavery where it has been abolished. cannot
consent TO any settlement OF this question which by
possibility have such a result.
Mr.. BERRlEN. | desire TO inquire of the senator
from New York if he intends TO that the proclama
ton OF President Guerrero issued under any power
specially delegated to him in reference this subject
Mr. DIX | will answer the senator with pleasure
take the decree as find it. stated that the first public
declaration made by President Guerrero in 1929,
pursuance, his decree stated of extraordinary powers
conceded 10 him. am under obligation to inquire
further in relation to the matter, to look behind the
Tor the authority on which it was founded
Mr.. BERRlEN | ask the question with view Of
ascerainng whether the senator disposed to
tend that slavery was abolished in New Mexico by virtue
OF any other power than this proclamation
Mr. DIX. suppose it was abolished by virtue Of the
authority which the decree was made. | have the
Decree and will read it, if the from Georgia de-
sIcs it,
Mr. BERRIEN The senator is not aware perhaps,
of the fact that the power granted the President was
given him for the purpose of repeng INVASION and had
no other object. | would PROFOUND another question.
slavery abolished by force OF the proclamation of
President Guerrero 1929, what slavery remained Mex
leo to be abolished by the of the sovereign Congress-
and whence did the sovereign Congress derive the power
to do that which belonged to the municipal authorities OF
the several States exclusively'
Mr.. DIX | prefer not to answer the inquiry OF the
Senator it will require diversion from the of
my remarks, which do not to make repeat
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