The North-Carolina standard., 1849-02-14
HIGH NORTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING H.

States it follows necessarily that it would be flag
rant act of aggression State, destructive of it
rights and subversve of its independence, for the
federal government, or one or more States, or the
people, to undertake to force it the emancipation
of its slaves But it is sound maxim in politics.
well as law and morals, that has right to dc
that Indirectly which he cannot do directly, and i
may be added with equal truth, to- aid, abet. .o
countenance another in doing it. And yet the abol
onists of the North, openly ayowng their intention
and resorting to the most efficient for the pur
pose, have been attempting to bring about state oil
things to force the southern States to emancpate the
slaves, without any act the part of any northern
State to arrest suppress the means by which they
propose to accomplish it. They have been permitted
to pursue their object, and to use whatever means
they please; if without aid counenance, also with
out resistance disapprobation. What gives deep
shade to the whole affair is the fact that one of the
means to effect their object that of exciting dscon-
tent among slaves, tends directly to subvert what
its preamble declares to be of the ends for which
the constitution ordained and established-Ht to
insure domestic tranquility'-and that in the only
way in which domestic tranquility is likely ever to
be disturbed in the South. Certain, it is. that an
agitation systematic-having such an object in
view, and sought to be carried into execution by such
means-would, between independent nations, const-
tute just of remonstrance by the party against
which the aggression directed, and, if not heed
ed, an appeal to arms for redress. Such being the
case where an aggression of the kind takes place
among Independent nations, how much more aggra-
vated it be between confederated States, where
the Union precludes. an appeal arms, while it af-
fords medium through which it can operate with
vastly increased force and effect That-it would be
perverted to such nse, never entered into the imag
ination of the generation which formed and adopted
the constitution; and, if it had been supposed it
would it is certain that the South never would have
adopted it. 5r ..2a's-, --,5 aoas...5o 3 .a .-.
We now return to the question of the admission
of Missouri into the nion and shall proceed to give
brief sketch of the occurrences connected with it.
and the consequences to which 1t has directly led.
In the latter part of 1919, the then territory of Mis-
souri, applied Congress- the usual FORM for leave
to form State constitution and government, in order
to be admitted into the Union. bill was reported
for the purpose, with the usual provisions in such
cases. Amendments were offered, having for their OBJ
ject to make it condition of her admission, that her
constitution should havea provision prohibit slave
ry. This brought on the agitating debate, which,
with the effects that followed, has done much to
ALLEVIATE the South and North, and endanger our po-
litical institutions. Those who objected to the
amendments, rested their opposition on the high
grounds of the right of selfgovernment They claim
ed that territory, having reached the period when
it is proper for it to form constitution and govern
ment for itself, becomes fully vested with all the
rights of selfgovernment; and that even the cond-
ton imposed it by the Federal constitution, relates
not to the formation of its constitution and govern
nent, but its admission into the Union. For that
purpose, it provides condition, that the govern
ment must be republican. ...s .--
They claimed that Congress has right to add to
his condition, and that to assume it would be tanta-
constitution and government; as no limitation could
imposed, to the extent of the right, if it be ad
nitted that it exists ALL Those who supported the
denied these grounds, and claimed the !
light of Congress to impose, at discretion, what
Itions pleased. In this agiating debate the two
sections stood arayed against each other; the South
favor of the bill without amendment and the North
opposed to it without it.. The debate and agitation
continued until the session was well advanced butt
apparent towards its close that the people of
Missouri were fixed and resolved in their opposition
o the proposed condition, and that they would GER
anly reject it, and adopt constitution without it,
houd the bill pass with the condition. Such being
he case it required great effort of mind to perceive
hat Missouri once in possession OF constitution and
government, simply paper, but with legislators
elected, and officers appointed to carry them into eff
ect, the grave questions would be presented whether
he of right State or Territory; and if the latter
whether Congress had the right, and if the right,
he power to abrogae her constitution, dsperse her
egslature and to remand her back to the territorial
condition. These were great and, under the circum-
tances, fearful questions-too fearful to be by
hose who had raised the agitation. From that time
he only question was, how to escape from the diff
ulty. Fortunately, means was afforded. A COM
romise (as it called) was offered, based on the
erms, that the North should to oppose the ad
mission of Missouri the grounds for which the
south contended, and that the provisions of the
finance of 1887, for the government of the north
western territory, should be applied to all the terrific
v, acquired by the United States from France under
he portion lying in the State of Missouri. The
Iorthern members embraced it; and although not
originating with them, adopted it as their own. 1t
vas forced through Congress by the almost united
otes of the North, against minority consisting al
most entirely of members from the southern States.
Such the termination of this, the first conflict,
nder the constitution, between the two sections, in
eerence to slavery in connexion with the territories.
fany hailed it as permanent and final adjustment
hat would prevent the occurrence of similar conficts
Others less sanguine, took the opposite and more
oomy view, regarding the precursor of train of
vents which might rend the Union asunder, and
rostrate our political system. One of these was
he experienced and sagacious Jefferson. Thus far
me would seem to favor his forebodings. May
eturning sense of Justice, and protecting Proyi-
ence, avert their final fulflment.
For many years the subject of slavery in reference
the territories ceased to agtate the country. 1ndi
ations however, connected with the question of
exing Texas, showed clearly that it was ready to
reak out again, with redoubled violence, on some
lture occasion. The difference in the of Tex
was adjusted by extending the Missouri compro-
Use line of Sc 80, from its terminus the western
oundary of the Louisiana purchase, to the western
oundary of Texas. The agitation again ceased for
short period. ..-.. ..... .......- .....l !
The war with Mexico soon followed and that ter
linated in the acquisition of New Mexico and Upper
california, embracing equal to about one-balf
the entire valley of the Mississippi If to this we
Id the portion of Oregon acknowledged to be ours
the recent treaty with England, our territory on
Pacific and west of the Rocky mountains will be
und to be in extent but little less than that vast
alley. The near prospect of so great an addition]
kindled the excitement between the North and t
outh in reference to slavery in its connexion with
e territories, which has become, since those oni
e Pacific were acquired, more universal and intense
ian ever. 49, 80. ~ s..ra--rS, ID,
The effects have been to widen the difference be-
4La ard rive loto. 4