The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-06
From the Norfolk Herald.
The Great Question.

The agitation of the disturbing question OF excluding
slavery from the territories conquered by the arms OF the
United States in the with Mexico has been precpl-
tated upon Congress with eagerness which regret
TO see The question turns upon
the constitutional rights of large portion of the States
Of this Union to participate equally WIN .he res. IN 'ne
the question, whether the territory was conquered or
coded by treaty in the way OF qnd pro quo all the
States must necessarily contribute lheir proportion OF
blood and treasure in the simply their treas
ure in the other and all should be endowed with equal
rights privileges, and immuntes in the new acquired
territory 1t should be free for every citizen OF the Uni
ted States to to, with his property OF any and every
kind. The southern States have their peculiar prop
erty, indeed, which may not be agreeable to the northern
and western States but as is recognised as property by
the former without any constitutional limit to It's appro
pration such the territories OF the United States,
they have undoubted right to IFS possession IN those
territories much their sister States have to the pos
session OF theirs This point is clear to u.s. and must
be to every intelligent and unbiased mind that we shall
not expend another word about it..
From these premises, how it be argued that Con-
gess has the power of legsatng away the equal rights
OF portion of the sovereign States of the Union in the
territories common TO all? The constitution, the com.
mon bond of the Union, recognises the institution of
slavery under the governments of those States where 1t
exists and where slaves by law declared to be prop
ery; and makes exception to the removal OF such
property, equally with every other description OF proper.
w. TO the territories which are the property of
all the States Whatever Congress may do in the mat
ter therefore, il is clear that it cannot consluonaly
abrogate the rights which citizens of southern States
States with their property o6very kind which they may
choose take with them, as freely the right is
enjoyed by those of other sections of the Union.
e an Hst law Of Congress w will in ac only
prohibit our southern citizens from doing that which
they have mind to do OF themselves. or this, we
think there can be no doubt. The persons inhabng
the conquered territories, being equally with their SOIL
climate, and other circumstances, opposed to slavery, II
would not be safe for any southern man ENGRAVING
thither, as matter of business. TO carry his slaves
ia ,,lI find fhara Snp.lr of
class of free laborers degree or two below his slaves
in moral SCALE whose services could be had upon
cheaper than his slave labor would cost him, Be-
sides his--since il is well known that soon the
Territories of New Mexico and California become States,
the first use they will make of their sovereignty such,
will be TO abolish slavery, If permitted to exist in them
while Territores-no man owning slaves would care to
with such property to apace where sooner or
later he must be deprived of it, We might enlarge upon
this branch of subject, but it is not necessary. In
word the institution OF slavery cannot exist IN the newly
acquired Territories.
II this be the case-and we have not met the first per-
son who believed that it would be otherwise-where is
the necessity ola law OF Congress to 40 that contrary to
the spirit of the constitution and in violation of the good
faith which this glorious conlederacy OF American States
pledged to another, which is inevitable without it.
If Congress thought proper to stretch ITS powers upon
the plea of the general welfare, there might be at least
show of proprey in its legislation but here is in
which legislation effect possible good and must
disturb the harmony of the Union. Why seek to deprive
the South of her rights under the constitution, Tor
abstracon 1t is not with her question OF interest.
That she would relinquish at any moment as she has
repeatedly done, upon the altar OF our common country
But her righisso clearly defined and understandable
cannot renqush, without proving recreant to her pledge
to abide by the constitution.
We hope that this fearful issue will be stayed and that
our sister States who have manifested much unhoIy
zeal TO press upon Congress will pause and calmly
slider the consequences Should the southern States
cumb, they would i'll deserve to ABIDE in the Union.
They could longer feel that they deserved that high
distinction And our hopes in the many OF the
North and the West, upon whose exalted patriotism, lib
era views, and commanding talents, we think can
safely rely TO rebuke the rampant spirit OF anacism
which 10 Iie in those regions upon this dangerous SUBJ