Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-02

STRANGE, and, II necessary, =! ,..,or,,I hoods
SAFES connected. as We are, in ifa'efnai oouos'
80 constitution ordained and established,
'n ;nsure domestic tranquility" i is sun more
nn;n.,i6abe: and yet associations formeo lot .n's
nurpose. and openly avowins their oolec., e..s'
S,.,es w;1bin whose Limits there is nothing
,,oon n,b;ch tbey can operate; whose sole occu-
,p,;on therefore il is to disturb the domestic
iranouiily OF other States, and who are never
theless uncontrolled by The aulhorues OF ln ne
States in which they are established. we WIZ ,l
no, dwell on this subject. In the same ir'enay
srri, that dictates this address, we submit . ue
statement which truth ccmpes us TO make 10 me
calm dispassionatc. patriotic consideration vi
our coun!.ymen.
We now return to me question Of The ADMISSION
OF Missouri into The Union, and shall proceed 70
give brei sketch OF the occurrences conhecieu
wi il, and the consequences 10 which II mas ol'
rectly led In The latter part OF 1919, Inc men
territory OF Missouri applied TO Congress, 10 .ne
usual form, for leave 10 form SAFE cons1i'u',on
and government. in order TO be admitted into Inc
Union. A bill was reported for The PURPOSE
with The usual provisions in such cases: aineuu-
menls were offered, having Tor lheir oolec, 10
make i, a condition OF her admission md, .ici
constitution should have provision 10 Plonlon
slavery. This brought on The asha!ins oeoale
which with the effects that followed, mas ooIe SO
much o ALLEVIATE the South ana Nortn, ana Gu
danger our political institutions. Those who oo'
ieced 10 the amendment, rested their opposition
IN The high grounds OF the right OF sel-govern-
ment. They claimed that Territory, having
reached The period when ii is proper for il 10 form
constitution and government tor ilset becomes
tplly vested with all the rights OF sell govern.
nen,; and that even the condition imposed on II
nv The federal constitution relates mol TO the Tor
nation of is constitution and government, out 10
IFS admission into the Union. For that purpose,
il oroyides. as condition. that The government
mus he republican.
They claimed that Congress has no right to
add TO this condition, and that to assume u
would be tantamount to the assumption OF the
right to make its entire Constitution and Co.
yernment; as no Limitation could be imposed, as
TO the extent of the right, if it De admitted that
il exists at all Those who supported the
amendment denied these grounds, and claimed
the right of Congress 10 impose, at discretion
what conditions il pleased. In this agltatng
debate the two sections stood arrayed against
each other; the South in favor of the bill with
out amendment, and the North opposed to II
unless i, was amended. The debate and agita-
ton continued until the session was we'll ad-
yanced; but it became apparent, towards lis
close, that the people Of Missouri were fixed
and resolved in their opposition to the proposed
condition, and that they would certainly reject
il, and adopt Constitution without 1t, should
the bill pass with the condition. Such oeing
the case, it required no great effort OF mind 10
perceive, that Missouri once IN possession oil
Constitution and Government, not SIMPLY on
paper, but with legislators elected, and oihcers
appointed 10 carry them into effect, the grave
questions would he presented, whether shc
was Of right State or Territory; and IL
the former, whether Congress had the right,
and, if the right, the power TO aorosate her
Constitution, and dsperse her Legislature,
and 10 remand her back TO the territorial
condition. These were great, and, under the
circums ances, fearful quesiions-ico leallui 10
be met by those VINO had raised The aglatioh.-
From that lime the only question was, no" 10 es-
cape from The difficulty. Fortunately means
was afforded. A compromise las il was caiied)
was offered. based on the terms that The North
should cease 10 oppose the admission OF Mis-.
souri, on Inc grounds Tor which the South conen-
dcd: and that the provisions OF lie ordinance oil
1887 for the government OF the northwestern ter
r;ory. should lie applied to al Inc territory &C.
ouired by The Unied Safes from France uncer
the lfcaiy ol Louisiana lying North OF So deg. 81
min. except the portion lying in The Stale Of
Missouri. The Northern members EMBRACED
il. and although NOT originating with Them, adopt
ID il a, their own. Il was forced through Con-
eress Ly the almost united votes oil the NORM,
against minority consisting almost enilrciy oil
members from the Southern States. Such was
Inc termination OF the frs, conflict between the
TWO sections, in reference to slavery IN conne1-
ion win The Territories. On this subject, We
pronose 10 offer to you few brief remarks
Waving the consideration Of The question
whether Congress can cons,uiionaily prohibit
the Introduction Of slaves into the territories ae-
ouired by the United States, aud the other ques-
lion whether in the actual condition OF these erri
tories slaves can be carried within their limits, anc
h.l. as such. without The sanction Of an act oil
Congress. we desire 10 submit 10 you me cohsde-
ralions on which The claim OF Inc SCUM 10 par
licipa c in the beneh, resulting from territories
acquired by the United States may, we THINK be
safely rested.
For me purpose OF immigration the territories
Of The United States are open TO all the world
IN citizens and foreigners, without discrimination
as TO character, profession or color. All, whe-
Their savage or civilized, may freely enter. Shall
me neopI. O. the Souh alone be excluded, or per-
niltcd on conditions that deny 10 them the use oi
those means which habit has rendered necessary
10 their comfortable subsiSencef Before they
arc nermiced 10 enter these territories, must they
no d,vss,ed Of The character in which they were
invited anil admitted TO enter into the Union Z
They entered lh- convection as Shareholders
shared in in IFS deliberations as such; as slave
ho,ters thew ratified The constitution. In The
same character ihey have been, and continue TO
he represenled in Tue national councils. As
SHAREHOLDERS they have contributed 10 Inc eX-
nenses OF the government which aey thus as
sisted IL create, by The payment OF taxes on The
snecific property which gives 10 them HAT pecu-
l,ar characlrr Will you deny 10 their people
the rch, 10 participate in the acquisitions of that
government which, in conjunction with their co.
STA es ;hey have thu, created and supported, I'M
less Won are first permitted 10 strip hem OF the
IN ,racter in which hey created and have sup
oor,ed in These territories were acquired ~
the common treasures and united etfJr of all
The States. The South contributed her due proper
lion of money and much more than her Tue pro-
portion OF men, 10 The war IN which they were ac-
ouired, as the following brief statement will show
STATEMENT OF the NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS.
From the South-Regiments 80
Bauaions Ia
Companies 100
Total No. OF volunteers from The South, as, $40
F,om The Norlh-RegimeEls y
Baltalions z
Companies IL
To No. Of volunteers rom the North, 23,0s4
Thus !. is seen that, OF the volunteers in the
war with Mexico furnished by tie Northern and
Southern stat $ he proportion contributed b.
The South is nearly two 70 one. AM when il i
considered tha, he population of the Noahera
States is nearly two.lhids greater than that Of
The Soulnern Sla'es, II Is obvious TIA! he ale;
has furnished more han three times hsr due pro-
norion OF volunteers. Aparl from all questions
Of constitutional power or OF international law
can il conss! with right and justice 10 deny TO
Them participation IN territories thus acquires
But again. Ours is federal government ar
association Of Siaes-uned, and yet preserving
lhe,r individuality. To them, as members Of The
federal Union these territories belong, not 10 the
federal government, consisting 81 me executive,
legislative and judicial departments Of that gov
eminent. Hence they are said 10 be territories
belonging 10 The United Staes-io The States
complislug the Union. The States, theu, are
lunar. NJ this DrOorrty. Now. IL i COUce-