The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-29

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or regulation. How, then, does Congress possess
the needful power TO permit this EVIL To spread'
He not only denies the power to establish slavery
but even the power to permit II 70 spread ,nt;onal
ing TO this doctrine, II would be uhoonsa'u'io
not to pass the Wilmot proviso. -.
noticed, also, in petition presented no. long
ago by a gentleman who has become SUN - 40
NOUS in the ranks OF Abohtion us hat
made: Chow absurd the supPosition that Congress
can estabish slavery at West Point, or Wherever IL
has fort or arsenal" and II insists una. cohsI
shall hasten 10 declare that 1t mas no power what
aver 10 create slavery One is almost persuaded
thai this was sly piece of humor practised on the
distinguished Senator, by persons who were dis-
posed 10 present the southern argument In an nm
posing form. Whether this be SO or not, agree
with the petitioners that Congress has no power to
establish slavery at West Point, or any where else
,Inon earth But 1T has sufficient power over the
subject as 10 authorize it 10 prohibit, 1t must have
an equal power TO establish. II the power exists,
the manner of exercising it, whether to establish or
prohibit is left to the sole discretion OF Congress-
But whether this be correct not, ii can scarce
Iy be denied that the power to restrict Is at least
doubtful. When the high authority OF Mr.. Madi-
son is found against such power, gentlemen ought
TO have clear convictions indeed, TO say that II IL
altogether free from doubt. II, however, you en-
terrain no doubt whatever on the subject, ask II
the authority Of ono who has not unJustly or map
propriately been called the father OF the Constitu
lion is not some justification TO those OF us who
contend against the power? Is not such authority
entitled 10 some consideration with those who be-
leve that such power exists? II not, your brethren
of the South, with unanimity unparalleled In the
history of any age or country, with but one voice
and one heart, say 10 you, this is our government
as we'll as yours, and it is contrary to the equal
rights guaranteed by the political compact which
binds together, that this Government for all
shall, in lis action discriminate against The proper
ty of part. We therefore ask you to refrain from
making this discrimination. We ask it in the
spirit OF brohcry love- in the spirit of true and real
devotion to that Union which is ndissolubly asso-
cated with the dearest and hottest feelings OF every
patriotic heart,
You claim that many of the Fathers of the Re-
public opposed to slavery. Admit that they
We're. They opposed it only when and where they
had right TO oppose it; but when they made a
common government, they did not attempt TO dis
criminate against the property of any section.
They placed all upon footing Of perfect equal
ity. There are thousands in my own State who
are the Incorporating enemies of slavery. When
recently the question was open 10 them there they
assailed it with zeal, ability, and eloquence
unsurpassed in the political struggles of this coun
try In doing that, they were in the exercise Of a
clear constitutional right, and they were listened
to with attention and treated with courtesy But
there a difference of opinion there far
as ever knew or heard, as to what should be the
action of this Government upon the subject. Mr..
Jefferson Is claimed as having been an opponent of
slavery. Perhaps at period of his life this was
So But if mistake not, when the tocsn was
sounded against the admission of Missouri as a
State of this Union, account of the existence of
slavery within her limits, he said it struck upon
his, like the alarm bell of fire at midnight.
Why was this? Why, but because the effort
then was to violate the sacred doctrine of pop
ular sovereignty. II this that alarmed
him-this that made the crisis dangerous and u
fearful one The great principle at the foundation
Of our whole political system is, that the people,
when they come to make State constitution, have
the undoubted and uncomfortable right TO decide
for themselves what shall be their domestic policy.
Congress has no right whatever to interfere with
them on this subject. Notwithstanding the admis-
sion of the truth OF this doctrine by many northern
gentlemen, have heard others, with pain and NOR
tifcation, declare their Incorporating opposition
to the admission of any more slave States in this
Union. II they would refuse the admission of a
State on this ground, have been unable to per-
ceive why these gentlemen would not, if they pos
sessed the power drive those States out of the Union
now toleratng slavery. Yet, after the uterance of
such sentiments they dare to talk of this glorious
Union, and would shed their brothers blood to pre-
serve it.
II new States are to come into the Union as our
equals in all respects, under the sole guaranty Of
the Constitution Of the United States Of reeubli-
can form Of government, what right have we in
any manner 10 interfere with their domestic policy,
IL they. judging for themselves, proper to tole
rate domestic relation which exists in other States
of this Union, where is the boasted equality you
extend to them, if you restrict them TO this right
Do you admit them upon an equal footing with the
other States if you undertake, in any manner, to
regulate their domestic policy; No, sir; you vio
late the great and essential principle Of popular
sovereignty by the arrogation to yourselves OF any
such power. The people themselves are the sole
and exclusive judges upon this subject; and their
judgment, however exercised, is final and conclu-
sive. From il there is appeal.
With regard TO our recent territorial acquisi-
tions, the treaty by which title was consum-
mated, by its ratification, has become the supreme
law Of the land, and that treaty compes US at the
proper time in our discretion, TO admit such States
the other States Of this Onion. am for abiding by
that treaty faithfully and honestly. Whenever a
political community shall be constituted in any
portion OF that Territory, in such form TO entite
II TO claim admission rs State, IL shall have my
humble sanction, no matter how IL may have de-
cided upon the subject Of slavery. restriction
beforehand is at war with the great elementary
principle Of the sole and exclusive right Of the peo
pie to decide for themselves. You decide In adj
vance Tor them, prohibit the existence Of slave
property, thus excluding those who have il, unless
they shall first get clear Of it, leave il behind
them, and then, in utter mockery,of the doctrine
OF popular sovereignty, you gracously say 10 them,
when about TO make State constitution, decide for
yourselves.
Sir, il IL than mockery. In the sacred
name Of liberty, and under the alleged cover Of tho
Constitution, Il Is inicting vital stab upon both
II ever popular rights and popular sovereignty shall
be trodden under foot in this country, IL will be in
the too often desecraed name Of liberty and under
the pretended sanction Of the Constitution. IL the
powerful influence Of this Government should in
any manner be brought TO bear upon question 90
exclusively belonging to the people 10 determine
and entirely beyond the pale Of its jurisdiction
II should meet my unqualified reprobation. But
more especially, fthe Executive Department should
10 FAR forget its proper constitutional functions
10 attempt 70 influence a community, proposing 10
come into this Union a sovereign State as 10 ia
domestic policy, itshould have my incorporating
opposition. With regard 10 California, now asking
admission as a State, have no evidence which
would authorize me 10 draw the inference or in
dulge the suspicion even, Of any such influence.
Under the circumstances connected with the at
tempt 10 make a territorial government for thai
country, 20 embarrassing in all its details with a
military government in a time Of peace, acknov-
ledged all hands 10 exist without the authority
Of law, and in open violation Of the Fundamental
principles Of our Covcrnment-the utter impracti
csbiity Of passing any act 70 extend protection u
tbose whom are solemnly bound 10 protect, ever
after passing a Law 10 exact taxes from them-t Ia,
vast influx there Of population from every State IL
the Union, from adysnttiOus and the indis
pensable necessity resting upon them 10 cNcrcis
the inherent right Of self governmcnt-all con
spired 10 create very general feeling Throughout
the country, that the people there should constitute
themselves into political community and ask adj
mission into the Union a sovereign State. Itwa
from considerations Of this kind that bill was in
At 81 Hsyf