The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-24


brethren, slavery is moral and political evil Who
has the right TO determine that il is so Let them eradi
cate moral evils from their own and We can take care
OF our own morals. Is II possible has come 10 this
that Congress has the right under limited grant OF
power TO travel into the wide field OF ethics and regu-
ate our moral conduct That is question for our con.
science Morality is twin sister TO religion; they
insepaaby allied and effect the power to regu
late necessarily implies the power to regulate the
constitution Congress will encroach on 50 delicate. SO
sacred subectl II there is anything dear to an
American, il is his liberty Of conscience-his right
must admonish my Methodist and my Baptist
friends TO be their guard. You may soon be told
that your religion is moral evil, and must be ex-
the ground of moral evils "to this complexion must 1t
come at last" But who has right TO say that il is
political ev' We do not find such doctrine inculca-
tons Of expedency within the range Of the delegated
powers; but that cannot be political evil within the
reach OF IFS Legislative power which is secured to Inc
power TO say that constitutional rights political evils
TO that body nothing is political evil which is secured
10 the States or TO the people Moral and political evils
are themes which open wide fields for Investigation.
and If Congress may occupy them as the ground
work Of its action, the constitution is worthless In
stead OF a limited, we have an unlimited govern
ment II the people, the fountain OF power should de,
lemine that political evil exists, they may apply the
remedy, but is not with Congress This political and
moral evil il seems. is exclusively in the South and
those who have determined il TO be and wish to Grad
cate 1t. reside in the North AS sovereign States we
have the power to Judge Of and 10 correct moral and po
lt,eai evils within our limits we ask no. the inteIer'
TONS We do not inrude upon them; but only demand
to permitted equality in the enjoyment Of our
mon property G0ngress t iI may establish go y
founded in equality 1t must protect the property OF the
common owner, well his person. Whether this
power is derived under the third section Of the fourth
article OF the constitution whether it derived FROM
the power to acquire territory or the war and treaty
making power is not materait must be exercised so as
preserve nvioate every principle OF the constitution.
But in The efforts to exclude our properly from that
rory, another false doctrine is promulgated which is
equally disastrous to us We are told that as slavery
was prohibited by the laws OF Mexico we cannot take
slaves there without the authority of law permitting it.
This is the doctrine Of class Of politicians in our coun
try who look further than the surface OF the law.
this confined to politicians might be passed
over harmless but is also the doctrine which has
been unceremoniousy promulgated by member OF the
Supreme bench. We could overlook the groundless al.
acies of few politicians but when the sanctity OF the
bench perverted and its influence thrown element
into the exciting OF malconent and strife, there is
just ground OF complaint II this could De a judicial
question in any shape that the tribunal before which
il might With the decision, the American people
would have rested satisfied.
Quiet would have been restored. II was great con.
stuonal question: and such questions the people OF
the United States have been taught to look to the decl-
sions Of the Supreme Court with veneration but they
have not been accustomed to having them promulgated
in advance and are startled at thus seeing them The
effect is almost injurious to as decision regularly
pronounced, because il has deferred the South from
boldened the North persist in its efforts II has caused
party TO believe that it right, and the other TO
fear that was wrong From position, il has made 'the
ry does exist in California, although it may have
been prohibited by the laws OF Mexico True, the con!
querng country may permit the municipal laws of the
conquered country to remain in force, but this 10 only
true of private or strictly municipal laws; il is not
true regards political laws. By elementary wri.
and are Psa are sae ss
are organize and confer power and form the gov
eminent :. They give il vitality as an organized body.
Of constitution which becomes supreme and paramount
to all other laws, either public private. Our consttu
ton the law OF our is the essence OF our gov
ernment il is the combination of certain great principles
between each Of which there is connexion and de-
tendency, and the aggregate constitutes unit To with
draw destroy any Of them would break the entire
fabric. II would lop of essential part OF our pot
cal power. When acquired California, il became
subject 10 constitutionour whae consttuuon-our
constitution entire thing. The territory did not
become subject TO part oil government only but every
principle OF the constitution prevailed there active
principle, and superseded OF necessity whatever
rights Of the new corners could be permitted The vested
rights OF the citizens there al the time acquired IT,
may be protected bya principle not inconsistent with this
position. The consequence is, that we have right to
take our slaves there because they are our properly,
cured 10 such by the principles OF our paramount
political law. II II were true that slavery was then
abshed there without positive law, then the consttu
ton went there mere cripple. But not So Wherever
the stripes and stars float over territory, as an emblem
OF political dominion, they rest upon perfect pedestal
formed by every principle in the constitution indssoubly
cemented together. As well may il be said that
stituon must give place 10 the established religion OF
Mexico.
How strange is that whilst Congress has no power
over the subject oil slavery, in consequence OF nhb
ton, that should be commended that The laws OF the
quered country should secure prohibition and thus TIL
umph over our constitutional rights
Thus, as conceive, stands the question OF rights but
N were question OF expediency merely, how ungen-
erous the conduct Of the North. We united as a
family Of nations We may have different local interests
but our obligations 10 each other require observance
bearance With them, il is matter Of feeling ony-with
us, Il IS question OF interest Are they not prepared 10
yield their feelings and their prejudices for the sake OF
protecting INTEREST," IL not they have forgotten the
objects OF the Unon-mutual safety, prosperity, and hap
pness dictated it. Are they willing TO risk all these for
would seem The Wilmot Pfoviso is but the entering
wedge. That accomplished. and the rest will follow
Emancipation in the States is doubtless the ultimate OBJ
ec and have 10 fear that at point short Of
this will the effort The Union must be dissolved,
aud the blessings which enjoy under government
must become sacrifice on the altar Of faoatcism We
must become degraded people, or abandon our coun.
try 10 the African We would say to them, be.
ware You but rush on TO your own destruction.
is subject OF deep regret that the powerful engine
OF prejudice arrayed against Enormites falsely
ascribed to MS, with view 10 excite Indignation They
add insult TO injury We held out as destitute OF
common mercy-degraded at home and abroad. The
ation and endanger our lives We hope and believe that
there still few at the North, who value the Union
and do not engage in this unnatural warfare Our Union
should be social as well political; amy should pre-
vail between the different divisions. But the ties that
bind US are being daily weakened, and the love Of the