Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-02-20
Communications.
For the EXPRESS.


King Of Ala. remarked that he should not
oppose the giving of civil government to
that distant section, sparcely settled though
it might be:-he did however think it evil
dence of great lberality on the part Of those
who resided in his section of the country.
that they were willing that six States
should be formed out of the territory embra-
ce6 in the ordinance Of 1857 instead of five,
and fue only as provided therein:- land that
he wished there could be the same spirit of
Cancellation in regard to other territory be-
longing to the Union; but that he feared
the same feeling did not actuate all gentle
men upon the floor of Congress. One of our
Senators, Gen. Dodge, had deeply interest
ed himself in the measure, and evinced his
Interest in jealous and able speecb:-and
in reply to Col. King he remarked that he
had always regarded him as statesman
who scared above narrow and sectional
views. and that the people of these frontiers
had always viewed him as one Of their best
friends. In this connection the Iowa Sen.
ator further stated that no fears of POPULAR
ty should deter him from doing his duty to
the country and every part Of it, and
that he went for extending government and
laws over the whole. Here is the true spir-
1t of the constitution; and with such expan-
give and elevated views, no political earth
quake could ever shake this Union, or dis
turb the harmony of its operations. The
southern Senator merely designed to seize
the occasion to inculeate n spirit of recipro-
cal concession and patriotism: aud the
young western Senator readily caught and
reflected it.. Had the one been disposed to
look with jealousy upon the progress and po-
l'tical power ofthe north, and to have fear
ed its influence in the geographical division
of the government which at present looks
so ominous. he might have resisted-and
had he oftnc west looked with fearful eye
upon the spread of political heresy, which
threatens nothing but evil, he too might
have ta'tered until he saw little more clca-
ly the direction of the current. and then, as
many do, committed himself to it's surface,
and floated on with no disturbance save the
accusations of conscience.
The sentiments to which | ave alluded
are worthy of all praise; but at the same
time they bring to the mind painful associ-
atoms.
TEat the free soil question. as it is cum
nlngly and disingenuously denominated, is
a political heresy, threatening cloud, does
not with me admit doubt. l am not dis
posed unduly to agitate this agitating sub
jcct: but most sincerely do wish tina, the
people could see it in its true light. that is
in all its light-perEaps l might say in all
its darkness. There is no Disgusting the
fact, that this thing is being pushed to a
fearfu! issue. believe that five sixths of its
advocates view the subject as one of moral
import alone, and not Of civil powerfully
cay slavery is an abomination, therefore let
us away with it, without bestowing one
thought Us to the existence OF the power to
do SOL have con;ersed with scores of men
and women, intelligent upon other subjects,
Who did not seem eve. to have thought of it
in this connection. Thci. only view seems
to have been that government was omnipo
tent and could do as it pleased.
Now if my thoughts are alphabetical, let
it be remembered that do not write for the
politicians, either great or small, but for
that class of mind to which belong, plain.
practical, and as trust honest. And first
say that it is not competent for govern
ment like that of the Union to do ali which
it is usual for other governments 10 dol
and this ought not to he cons dered simple
idea, when l say that ws:hin few months
heard a learned man in public place,
with large audience before him ask this
significant qucstien:-"how is it. that since
the adoption of the constitution with enlarq
cd powers, Congress can not pass more
measures than the Confeder.
alton could!-surely said he if the old Con-
gress could pass the ordinance of 1887, the
Congress under the constitution can do
much more.' 1t does not follow that be-
cause the old Congress of the confederation
could recommend almost any thing, the Con
gress of the Union can do every thing. Here
is great mistake made by thousands as to
matter OF fact in the history of the govern
ment:--thcy quote the ordinance Of 1857
which excludes slavery from the north west
territory as precedent under the constltu-
ton, when the ordinance was passed two
years before the constitution took effect.
But as to the power of the government to
legislate for morals: No idea can be more
fallac!ous:-I mean to regulate and control
morals know such 4 thought as this is
revolving to many good people-but it is
so, because they do not stop to refect:-bs-
cause the government of the Union can not
control morals, we are not left in that re-
NPH>s w WV SShhSi hS1SiCa VI SSll HlCu 0Ilu
evil spirits: that power is to be found in
every state govcrnment:-and there was
time when all the government We had was
State government. Suppose that was all
we had now-could it be said that the coun
try was lett to be ove:run with iniquity.
without the restraint Of law! Certainly not;
for every State would protect hcrselfin that
respect. But it may be asked if State
does not come into existence with power
unrestricted to legislate upon all subjects
whatever, pertaining to her interests and
preservation! l answer, she does, if she
comes into existence naturally-if we may
so speak: for we do read of nations being
born ir u day. But the Union was made,
not born. Her features and powers there
fore are just such Us were given to her.
there is therefore no cause of complaint, for
if there be any cause Of deficiency, those
who made her at first, can unmake, and
make her over again. Now, the govern
merits Of Europe possess what may be call
ed original inherent, natural powers-and
so did these. States, and so they do still,
save vi hat they have given away. Let it
not be forgotten, then, that the government
of the Union has no power except what has
been given to it.-and if the power to re- gu
late morals has not been given to it, we
, ought TO be satisfied either to let the States