The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-15
General Benton's great Spec ci.

In reading this speech, however, we have been
tempted TO regret that Mr. Benton has not gone yet
further SO far at least US to admit the xpedency Of
prohibiting slavery in the territories. He holds that
Congress has right to enforce such prohibition
he is against slavery he tells he would resist It's
introduction into California and New Mexco the
ordinance of 1887 was noble and wise ordinance
in his view and the same policy which we then adopt
ed In regard to the Northwestern Territory ought he
thinks, 10 be pursued in the government Of the
country acquired from Mexico. He believes, how
ever the express prohibition Of slavery in these pro-
vinces to be necessary, md since slavery does not
exist there, and cannot be introduced but by act
of Congress- and he would not vote for regulation
which he thought to BIO simply saperiluous.
But Is a law unnecessary, we should ask Mr.. Ben
ton the object Of which Is to end an angry contro.
versy! He complains of the agitation OF this ques.
ton as disQuicting the Union The prohibition OF
slavery by Congress would eliectually compose the
agitation. When opinions arc divided In regard to
point Of existing law dccnratory statutes are often
passed by Legislature. On this question OF the
right to hold slaves in New Mexico, opinions IRE
divided-not the opinions oil shallow politicians
merely, but the opinions Of men who arc looked up
to as expositOrs of the constitution; the opinions OF
able and learned lursts. Can any man say how the
question wonld be decided IL wcrc to be brought
before the Supreme Court Of the United Staias?-
Mr.. Benton may tell us how 1t ought to be decided:
but can he give us any guaranty that his views
would be adopted by the Court2 Under such cir
cumstances formal assertion of the right of Con-
,ress the question Of slavery In thu territories
and declaration that the institution IL unlawful
within their limits, seemsio far from siperilu-
Gus and unnecessary US We Gun well imagine.
II the politicians and public men, and legislatures
Of the southern States WIRE all Of tho same opinion
MS Mr. Benton there would be no occasion for the ex-
ercse Of this right. II would then be acknowledged
that slavery has not and cannot have legal exist
In the new territories and NIL public authorities,
courts Of Justice and Individuals would govern Them.
selves accordingly. To such state Of things, Mr..
Bentons notion Of the nutility Of the prohibition of
slavery In the territories is perfectly well suited But
long the right hold slaves In the territories is
asserted by powerful party, holding an influence
mighty beyond lie actual numbers, and nurneronsly
represented on the Supreme Bench Of tho United
States, il is very unsafe TO leave the question as II
now stands without any declaration Of Congress on
the subject.
Mr.. BenGn's argument, however, is well calculate
ed for effect at the South, He tells the Shareholders
that they cannot andought not TO resist the exclusion
Of sayery from Tho new territores; that iis intro
duciion would be- agrcvous wrong, which Congress
has right prohibit and that II Is folly 10 aeilate
the question, with any hope Of being able to propa-
cute slavery in that pinrter innsmuGh az slavery Is
forbidden by the present laws Of those provinces,
which in forcf until repealed by Congress Those
who entertain these views certainly cannot make
any strong oppohiion to the passage OF q law ex-
pressly enforcing The exclusion Of slavery.--N " !
Epening Post