Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-03-27


prohibited Slavery in the territories Of the
then confederation, and tho reasons for its
enactment applied as foreibly 10 tho West
bank of the Mississippi. as they did to the
North bank Of the Ohio. The National
Constitution contained nothing to authorize
tho acquisition o! new territory. and the
erection Of further slave institutions. DO
the contrary. BY its provisions in reference
to the slsve.traffic, and the concurrent
events attending its formation. it appeared
10 mark limits to the extent and duration
of the institution hence, any action snlar'
ginR its boundaries, was an unwarranlabIe
assumption Of power. The Union OF the
States was endangered by the erection Of
imaginary lines. tending 10 engsndef and
keep alive sectional jealousies and Prejudi-
ces. Pennsylvania desired no new Mason
and Dixou's line to mark distinctive char.
ac,ers and tastes among . homogeneous
people.
In the powers Of the National Congress
is found no authority 10 create Slavery,
unless it's introduction formed portion Of
a treaty acquiring territory, or was the
condition Of a grant Of lands. The spirit Of
universal liberty guarded. all soil blessed
by the institutions of freedom; and 10 esta.
blish bondage. positive enac'ments were
necessarily required. These sentiments Of
Pennsylvania remain unchanged. and il
their expression. with q perfect willingness
TO submit their accuracy to the supreme
judicial tribunals Of the country. were
aggressions on the rights Of the citizens Of
virginia and Georgia-if they wers an
infrac,ion of the National Constitution, or
tended to the dissolution Of the Union-the
demonstration thereof has not been made
manifest to our citizens.
The National Government is admitted TO
be government Of limited Powers. .and that
no authority can be exercised BY It unless
conferred by the Constitution. Ia the
Constitution 10 found no express authority
| for the acquisition Of territory by purchase
no express authority TO admit new States
into the Confederacy, formed. from the
| acquired territory-no expressed or written
power to absorb and annex another and
distinct sovereignty to assume iis debts,
finish ito unsettled warfare. or to take
charge of its public domain-no express
authority is given to plant the institution o
Slavery where it does not exist, and Ger
tainly none to guarantee to it. in its new
homo, tho unequal and auti-republieau
representation 10 which i, is entitled in the
original States. Tho practical and common
sense exposition Of the Constitution. it j.
freely conceded. would inves. government
Of limited powers, with oil the authority
necessary to carry into efiec. ito expressly
granted powers.
The powers Of Congress over the Terri
tories Of the Union. and the District o.
Columbia, are embraced in the following
provisions
Firs,-Nev States may BE- admitted BY
Congress into the Union. Congress shal
have power to dispose Of. and make al
needlul rules and regulations respecting thu
territory or other property belonging to sh'
United States; and no,hing in this Conssi
tuition shall be construed as to prejudic'
any claims Of the United States, or any
particular State.
Second-Congress has the right to e1'
ercise exclusive legislation in all case'
whatsoever over such district. (not exceed
ing ten miles square.) a. may. by cessiol
Of particular States, and the acceptance o
Congress. become the seat Of Government
Of the United States.
The parts Of the Constitution hereinbe.
fore detailed and mentioned below, embrace
all the provisions necessary or essenIia
for our present purpose.
l. The slave representation in the Na'
tional Congress.
2. The non-impor.ation Of slaves afel
1903.
3. The extradi.ion offugitives from labor.
4. Tho authority Of Congress over the
District Of Columbia.
Which Of these provisions Of the Nation
al Constitution, has been encroached upon
by Pennsylvania . There is no part Of her
history. legislative, executive. or judicial,
that shows any interference with the rights
Of representation belonging TO Virginia or
Georgia. No charge has been made agains,
her faithful observance Of that portion Of
the Constitution in relation to the importa-
ton, or non.imporsa,ion Of slaves. Tho au
.hority Of Congress 10 establish slavery in
territories wherein it does not exist. this
State has denied in mild and friendly terms;
and in submitting heretofore 10 the exercise
ofthe power when new Slave-holdins States