The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-13

III our power consequence OI Tue
great pressure upon columns, to lay them in full be-
fore readers But there portions of Them touch
ing federal matters, to which naturally for in
formation, and which cannot altogether withhold from
readers They reflect in degree the sentiments
of their constituents Among them. is the inaugural ad
dress OF the governor OF Missouri and the messages of the
governors OF Pennsylvania and Kentucky The two first
of these touch the great slave question, which is
the order of the day. and they in such direct
trast with each other that unless some spirit of con-
citation and compromise be displayed, they can never
be reconciled without great offence section or the
other. Mr.. Crenden preserves this point "a master
ly inactivity"
Governor King addresses the people of Missouri upon
this question as follows:
The federal government, the operations OF which affect
largely the interests of this and every State the
federacy, will never, If confined within the limits marked
out by the constitution the least injury any the
government of strictly limited powers granted it by the
States in their Independent capacity Its author
ity therefore, is original bur delegated and extends
only far the constitution prcscnbes. The powers
coded to II pressy enumerated and bestowed
for the accomplishment OF those purposes which could
be efectuay secured by tho of the States
Here, them is n COVE rnment presented and
loved from looking farther for the of its powers
TO the instrument which is the basis OF its existence
the supremacy of this government, in all
the powers gven duties enjoined by the constitu
ton, but will not assent to implied authority for any
purpose however plausible II we'll understood
in the convention which framed the federal constitu
ton, and by the States which originally ratified IT, that
the exercise of any authority other than that mentioned
would be violation of the letter and spirit of the compact
and unjust encroachment upon the rights
various members of the confederacy. 1t may be inn
proper in consideration OF events,
of the parties into which the people have been divided
fifty years, claims for the federal government
powers almost without limits; thus sweeping within The
general central vortex the reserved rights of the States
and of the people, and virtually breaking down the bar
usurpaons which fathers ndustriousy reared
for the protection of themselves and posterty.
The consolidation OF power is tyranny unchecked. To
prevent such evil. the functions of government this
confederacy varousy distributed only into
great departments each confined within its appropriate
sphere but also among the various governments munich
pa State and national the limits OF which already de-
fined The progress of reform manifested by popular dis
cusslon, and in the new constitutions recently adopt
ed by OF sister States, has been towards the
erection OF checks restraints upon legislative
authority; thus reserving to the people themselves
the direct exercise OF larger class of power This
fuller development of the wise maxim, that people is
governed best which is governed least" Yet strange
anomaly has just been presented in the Of great
party, which announced that congressional legislation
should be virtually unchecked But the other party,
whose favor majority OF the in Missouri have
bounced, has governed the during greater portion
of its independent existence holds strict
tion of the constitutions insists upon the due observance
by each of the departments of all the obligations
upon it and demands that authority shall be exer
csed by any of the governments State national,
by any OF the departments of government which does
clearly belong to it, giving such construction the
federal constitution that its powers shall be limited
objects national in their character, and the Of
which should rebound to the general welfare of all
Hence, 1t has frequently rejected system of measures
looking tho creation OF paper currency, the favor
ing of few Industrial pursuits at the expense of the many
and the comforting of unequal privileges upon class
section of the confederacy II adheres the spirit and
letter of the federal the prom upon which
based and the equality of the States and opposes
any Of doubtful, sectional unconstitutional
character.
In reference the recently acquired territory purchased
alike by the common and blood of all feel bur
little socitude whether the people of the Territory u
maey subject tothose institutions peculiar the South
yet do feel deep solicude for proper maintenance of
rights, and deny the general government any power
debar from equal participation in that territory
impose In reference to property which
would not bear alike upon every member of the Union Al
the time of the admission of Missouri State into the
Union, sought to be imposed reference
this subject which resulted in compromise, brought
about by Cancellation and concession and which we are
yet ready abde though in its adoption the South guided
by the spirit which brought about the compromise
that resulted in the adoption of federal constitution,
surrendered portion of her constitutional
rights.
Governor Johnson of Pennsylvania takes very OPP
posite views of the question The governor pours forth
as follows:
The acq uiston of New Mexico and California presents
again in the national Congress the important question of
the extension non-extenson of human slavery At the
adoption of the national constitution, the longer continu
of what then considered evil was strongly
agated and resulted in compromise permitting in the
States where that time il existed. The constitution
being submitted TO the States adopted with others by
Pennsylvania and after the lapse of more than half
fury, it remains the great fundamental law of the Union
To preserve and perpeuate ito acknowledge its
macy-io maintain and defend its principles and to submit
mpromi ,es-are duties which every citizen is
his opinions in relation questions arising
slaves the States which parties to the compact bat
makes further Acknowledgements Ii bears its plain
expressi page agreement or implied for
further of human slavery That this national
wrong has been extended with the progress Of populson
is argument in favor Of its justice its constitutional
right of the sautary effects it has produced in the terri
tories it has been admitted Shalt IL be st further
exended To the Congress of the United States belongs
the authority settle this important question. Before II
shall have been determined tho opinions OF citizens
the subject should be fully and distinctly made known
through their public functionaries 10 the confederate
States The right instruct and reqaes, the
in the national councils ought To be
used light and trivial occasions; while subjects grave
ly affecting the we-beng of the country, it becomes duty
which will venture decline In tho exercise OF this
admitted right the Legislature will find the opportunity
express in not to DO mistaken the position which is
held by Pennsylvania this grave and
ton.
While the compromises of the constitution should be