The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-01

4 he GaltOrnla Constitution has not settled the
slave agitation, as many fopdly hoped itwould
An parties had agreed in the opinion that State
on coming into the Union has an absoluterght to
decide for itself whether it win recognize or pro-
hbt the right Of property in slaves. Hence at the
last session Of Congress various attempts were
made to get rid Of the disturbing question Of the
power Of Congress over the Territories by orga-
nizing and admitting them as States, 1t was
thought by many that by avoiding altogether any
territorial organization, the dispute to the power
Of Congress would he got rid Of and the decision
of the vexed question in respect to slavery coded
at once to the new State.
But It was obvious that if any territory remained
unorganized, the causes Of agitation would not be
at all removed While any ground is left I'M
covered by State constitution, duly recognized,
there will be field of controversy in the extension
Of the laws Of the United States and the organiza
ton of Government. The spontaneous erection
Of a State government in California by the late
Convention, would go but little way towards
quoting the excitement. The boundaries claimed
by the trainers Of the new State, vast they are,
take in only small part Of the territory which the
United States has purchased and must govern.
All New Mexico, and half of California, including
the Mormon settlements, and the State Of Deseret,
where slavery is not prohibited, and where too,
there are said to be slaves now held as property are
left to the law of Congress, and over them the ac-
ton Of Congress will be pressed as strongly as
though no part had been taken off for the formation
of the State. 1t would be great mistake to sup
pose that the anti-savery party would be satisfied
with the mere exclusion of slavery from California,
whether by act of Congress or by the act Of the
people, either of the territory of the State, On
the contrary success in thatsparticular would be
heralded as a certain sign Of. triumph, and an in
oentive to renewed exertions to effect the end
in all other parts of the territory.
The attempt, therefore, to get rid Of the question
in Congress by creating or receiving States cover
ing less than the whole territory, would necessarily
fail. The reception of California with her present
constitution, would leave the whole field of conten-
ton still undetermined-onl that the restrictionists
would have gained strength and confidence by a
signal though partial success.
But there is to be strong opposition to the recog-
milton of the new State. The process by which it
was formed is anomalous the population who
formed it are anomalous; the powers they assumed
without precedent and without sanction and the
territory which they attempt to supersede the
jurisdiction Of the United States and establish then
own, TOO vast and of too peculiar importance to be
given up without question to a number of settlers
so ineonsderable in numbers, and of such uncertain
interest ia The State. Besides, the Southern men
viii argue with great deal of reason that the
concession to so scanty, scattered, and fugitive
population of the power of fixing permanently the
fundamental law in respect to slavery over an i'm
mense territory, which win not be sufficiently
fitted for the purposes of State Government for hall
century, is a mere dishonest political device, ire
concileable with fair dealing and not warranted by
any public interest
The slave question, therefore, viii accompany the
California constitution into Congress in an aggra-
waited shape There will be a violent struggle over
it, a local question there, in which all the most
angry passions viii be excited and whenever it
shall be decided andin whichever way upon its par
teular merits the general question will remain for
another struggle still more excited in character and
distraeiing in consequences.
Ia view Of this sad prospect the only hope Of
the country is in the triumph of moderation over
passion and prejudice, the revival of that old spirit
of lraternal devotion 10 the union of the States
which made this Government, has preserved itthus
far, and which is the hle-blood of its future exist
ence. Faetionisis and ultras of all quarters must
be taught, and will be taught that there is virtue
in the great masses of the people, which, full7
reused to knowledge Of danger to our liberties Oh
our Union, is mighty to calm and to save.