Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-21

Total number OF Vol. from the South $3.50
| Vol FROM the North Regiments %
Battaons,
Companies, IL
Total number Of VOL from the North. 23,0Sl
Thus it is seen that Of the volunteers in the war
with Mexico furnished by the northern and south
er" o'aes, the proportion contributed by The south
10 nearly Two to one. And when il is considered
mat the population of the northern States is nearly
.mo hrGo greater than ihst &C The eo,.hora States
IL is obvious that the latter has furnished more than
three times her duo proportion of volunteers A.
part from ali questions of constitutional power Of
International law, ii consist with right and JUS
tice to deny to them participation in territories
thus acquired
But again. Ours is federal government. an as
ISOLATION of States-unied, and vet preserving their
Individuality 10 them, members of the federal
Union, these territories belong, not TO the federal
government consisting of the executive legislative
and judicial departments OF that governments
Hence they are said 20 be territories BELONGING To
the U: States--to the States comprising the Union
The States, then, arc joint owners of the property
Now, 1t IS conceded by all writers on the subject
that in all such governments the members are all
equal--equal in rights and equal in dignity Ifels--
where this were a disputed point, we could safely
appeal TO our constitutional compact for the proof
mat with us, Ii sundeniaby true that the equality
OF the States is an elementary principle of that COM
pact--ono which lies at the foundation Of our gov
eminent To destroy this equality, then, is 10
upon it as It's basis. The exclusion Of the South
ern States, and their citizens, from their full share
in territories thus declared to belong 10 them in
common with the other States, would therefore, be
to deprive them of a right-it would derogale from
the equality which is inseparable from their condi-
ton as members of the Union-would sink from
Their righitul position. equals into dependent
and subordinate condition. Nor can tho people OF
the South be insensible to the consequences which
must result from the establishment and continued
enforcement OF the principle on which the proposed
exclusion would rest. That principle OPENLY avow-
cd, is that the domestic institutions necuar 20 the
southern States, shall never be transferred to any
territories now or hereafter TO be acquired by the u
! Siates The institution that now exists il is said
may not be disturbed by the federal government,
because 1t is secured by the compromises OF the con-
siliutlon. If this Were not Soft this guaranty
| were not found in that instrument-even in the
plates II would not be secure. An institution which
Is declared to be sinful-E violation OF natural RIGHT
contrary to the law of God--;o cur own Declare
ton OF lndependence--and disgraceful 20 any peo-
pie who tolerate itwouid not We suffered to exist
II those who thus denounced it had the power TO a
bosh 1t. Ii tho constitutional impediment velc re-
moved, they would feel themselves bound 20 obev
The dictates OF conscience and these, they tell u.s.
iOiDid lis continuance. The continued enforcement
OF the principle which fUbids the transfer of The do
nestle institutions of the South to any territory now
or hereafter 10 be acquired, combined with other
causes In constant operation tends inevitably 10 the
removal OF this constitutional impeachment Several
oi Inc States OF this Union are in transition state
from the condition OF slaveholdiny TO that of non
slaveholding States. When that change shall have
been accomplished, and they shall have taken their
position among the non-slaveholding States, and
when to these added the new States TO be form
cd out of New Territories now or hereafter to be
acquired the aggregate will constitute the reuusite
majority OF States to remove the constitutional i'm
Pedment to an interference with slavery in the
States And how can they abstain from the exer-
else OF the power which they will thus have ac
CURED, consistently with principles avowed and act
Ell upon al TINS moment TO the full extent of their a.
pacity 10 enforce them Can the reople of the
South be insens!ble TO the danger W icf thus me-
naces their OWN peculiar and cherished insitu,onsl
Ought no; The sound intelligence and conservative
feeling OF the American people in every portion of
the Dnon, alike independent of and superior to par
ty or sectional divisions, to be exerted 10 avert it?
: IL remains 10 present 10 you brief view Of Sc.
RES OF measures introduced INFO the representative
branch OF Congress during the present session. and
. connected with the subject Of this address.
The first OF these is a resolution introduced by 4
member from Massachusetts, The object of which: is
TO repeal all acts or parts of acts which authorize tho
existence Of slavery, Of selling and disposing of
slaves III this district On the question of granting
leave 10 bring in BILL the votes stood 60 for and
81 against it. The next was resolution offered by
a member from Ohio, nsirucng the Committee on
Territories TO report forthwith bills for exclu,lin6
ed By vote Of IO7 TO so; and the bill introduced
by another member from Ohio, TO take the votes of
the inhabitants Of this District, whether slavery
within its limits should be abolished.
The bill provided, according 10 the admission OF
the mover, that free negroes and slaves should vote
On the question TO lay the bill on the table the
: vote stood 06 for, and - against the unotion. To
this succeeded the resolution proposed by member
u from New York, in tho following words:
"Whereas the traffic now prosecuted in this me.
H. C ., - - L.
is contrary to natural justice and the fundamental
reproach TO our country throughout Chrislendorn,
can liberty ameng the nations Of the earth. Thote~
fore
"Resuvcd, That the Committee FOR tho District
Of Columbia ba instructed 10 report a bill, as soon
as practicable, prohibiting the slave trade in said
District" 81
On tho question Of adopting the resolution, Tho
votes stood % for, and So against il. lie was fol
lowed by member from Illinois, who offered a re-
solution for aboshng slavery in tho Territories.
and all places where Congress has exclusive poyer
Of legislation that is in all forts magazines arse
nails dock yards. and other neediul buildings pur-
chased by Congress, with the consent of the Legis-
Iature Of the State.
This resolution passed over, under the rules
I Of the House.
These raTio,is propositions have not been finally
acted upon. Indeed, the resolution offered By .1e
member from New York has been rsconsidered, and
remains now on the Speakers table as resolution
presented, but not acted upon BY tho House. To
this Indication Of more conservative feeling il