Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-01-03

territories; that part OF that ordinance as
incorporated in the organic laws Of the
North w estern territory had been acted
upon by subsequent Legislatures. amen
ded and in some cases, abolished. lie e.
Enumerated them. He acknowledged that
these resolutions Of the House were mere
ly declaratory. contending that it was as
far as the Government had a right to go.
The exercise Of power prohibiting the
introduction Of slavery, was a mere wan
ton and lille exercise Of power, to which
he was opposed.
Mr.. Holloway did not know that the discus
sion of this question here, could effect any good
II is however right TO discuss it. and our duty
to act upon the question. Where the Senators
in Congress are known to entertain opinions ad
verse and contrary to those entertained by their
constitute nts and the legislature; it is not only
right, but it is an imperative duty, we owe TO
our CO institute instruct our Senators to car
nv out the views Of our common constituency
Upon this, above all other questions, il is right
that the will Of the people should he spoken in
the councils Of the nation. 1t is the question Of
the age in which we live. II is the question of
the 18th century. It is no less question than
ono involving the great and eternal principles of
human liberty. The peculiar position If at least
one Of our Senators, requires that lie should be
called upon TO vote in accordance with our wish
es. He is a slave holder. Indiana, a free State,
made free by the ordinance Of 81, is repre-
scented in the Senate Of the United States by a
Shareholder. lie upon whom the free suArages
of free people were cast. holds his fellow man
in bondage. There may be some excuse for
citizen Of a slave State holding slaves, but the
citizen Of a free State, Invested Of all the rea-
sons which operate in the South, must indeed be
partial to that peculiar institution, to practise its
enormities. Let the instructions then he given
at an early day. and in terms too, which cannot
he misu nde rstood.
But the Senator from Dearborn and the Sena-
tor from Franklin, think the resolution now be-
fore the Senate is too harsh in language, and
should be clothed in more courteous phrases
They endorse the sentiment contained in the 9th
section of the Ordinance Of 81, but they fear
such direct and positive language will rrtate the
South. 1t may effect the high-strung nerves Of
the fanatcal slave propagandists; but the people,
the common people Of the South. opposed to
the institution Of slavery and its ex;ension.-
They know its evils-have felt its influences,
and opportunity offers they will leave il. and
seek homes in the free States. In support Of
this, permit me to refer TO the late report Of the
Secretary Of War-Mr. Marcy. l refer to that
portion Of said report, which relates to the loca
ton Of the bounty lands granted TO the soldiers
Of the Mexican war. From it we learn that 49,
900 warrants have already been located. Loca-
tons have been made in IL different States-sx
Of 81, and tbo Skop ,Oit
slave States. IN the free States 10, 50 warrants,
embracing ,5ll 800 acres Of land have been lo-
Gated. In the slave States $50 warrants, COW
ering 263, 720 acres have been taken-making
proportion Of nearly sir acres entered in the
+ free States, for taken in the slave States
Thus Of 1909 warrants, land it is but fair 10
suppose the same number Of soiders) 1879
have gone to the free States, and only $50
have settled in the slave States, being in the pro-
portion Of rather more than six to one, who have
preferred the northern to the southern States.
From these facts it is but reasonable and fair to
infer that the people Of the South tired OF
their institution, or why would they fly from
their own native and sunny cline to seek homes
in a more northern and chilly latitude. There
is far more subserviency in the North to the dc
tstion Of certain distinguished southern men.
than COMFORTS with ,l's dignity of free men. or
is consistent with the inte rests Of the whole peo-
pie. Mr.. Calhoun boasts that they contributed
their equal share in the labor and costs of the
conqnests. What if they didl Did they do
more than their equal share! How have they
! acquired any exclusive rights to carry slavery
into Mexico and California. Has not the North
an equal interest in it. The North have as much
right to dictate the provisions Of the organic law
Of those territories as has the South. They have
an equal interest at least in the prosperity and
happiness of those who emigrate to that coun-
try. But Senators talk about irritating the
South! Are the mouths Of freemen to be closed
simply because a few southern ot-brained pol
iticians in the South may become irritated. But
+ how does this squenmshuess comport with the
conduct of those whose feelings my friend from
Dearborn is seemingly SO anxious to conciliate
Do not they indulge in invective against the
North! Has he never heard their denuncia,ion.
about the "aggressions'' Of the North-their in
famatory speeches against abolitionism-thei,
threats Of disunion7 Yet We must not utter
one word. save in the cour,ly notes Of sycophan-
cy. Rather let the truth bs told-boldIy pro-
claimed-let your resolutions declare that slave
~ shall now and forever be prohibited from those
! territories.
But It 10 said il Congress shall pass this decls-
rdfory lava simple declaration 'that the terri
torres being now free should remain free ~ slave
~ will not 60 there. Why sir, slavery has al
ready cursed that free soil. In tier, recently
Published. from Col. Stevenson, who has the
command Of large volunteer force in CaIifor-
fornia, sent out under the authority Of the Pres
ident. you will learn that some Of the officers.
attached to the army have taken slave. W it'll
them and hold them by the strong arm of militia
~ power. Yes sir. the model free government,
Of the world, were the first 10 send slaves TO al
ifornia, and officers Of that governme mt are hold
ing slaves in violation Of Law. They will be
followed BY others. and unless positive prohi-
biton 10 enacted, the same state Of affairs which