Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-05-23
10 TIE PIIRIIC-

become a candidate TO represent Howard
county in the Legislature Of this State; and
immediately succeeding that article is one
signed "a Friend" announcing, that "ihe
Sates,right Democrats, and Slatesrl right
Wings, are about 10 unite 10 save the United
States Constitution, and the integrity oil the
Union" &c.
yield TO no one, Of any party, in, or out
OF the State in devotion and love TO the
Union, and The blessings secured TO our lei
low citizens by the federal constitution.
was born and raised in the Union, and
hope and expect to die in it. | consider IL
the duty Of every citizen, Of all parties 10 do
all he can, consistent with honor and free
dom, to preserve the constitution from in
fraction, and the integrity OF the Union; and
| further consider il the duty Of all parties TO
unite for their common country, its laws and
institutions, whenever asst ed by foreign
or domestic power. Ours is government
OF the people, the 'chole people. We may, |
as partzans and fellow citizens differ as 10
the best mode, and manner Of exercising any
vested power, but when the integrity oil the
Constitution, and the perpeiuity OF the
Union are involved, it is The duty OF every
patriot, OF every party, 10 come to the rescue
Of his country. The foregoing sentiments
ale doubtless entertained by the writer's Of
the articles above alluded TO and suppose
elected their publication, having no knowl
edge, whatever Of any alliance entered into,
) or formed between the two great parties, or
any Of their members in reference to the
questions which now occupy the public
mind, and seem 10 threaten the Union ITSELF
consider the call upon me to become
candidate, coming from the quarter it does,
as an evidence, that there are, in the Dem.
+. ocralic, as well as the Wing party, those
s who are for the Union, ond against the en-
, croachments OF the North, upon the rights Of
the South; and are willing 10 forego any dil>
lerences Of opinion known to exist in mat
tiers Of policy only, for The purpose OF return
ing members 10 the Legislature, opposed 10
= the exercise oil a power by Congress not DEL
egated by the States in the formation Of the
federal Constitution; and which in its opera
lion and tendency encroaches upon the
rights and liberties OF portion Of the Amer
!. lean people.
, Such must have been tho views OF any
Democrat, who would solicit me to repre>
sent him 10 the Legislature at this crisis
Permit me to say to those who make the
call upon me, that while | am grateful to
them, for their good opinion, and consider
with them, that this is an important period
in our political hislory-yet, that | cannot
for many reasons, become candidate. for
II the legislature, not having had the slightest
b wish or expectation, 10 be candidate this
y canvass for anything, my engagements would
not now permit it, without sacrifice, cam
not endure,
u 1t is known to many, and now announce
it to ALL that | am opposed 10 the passage oil
d The "Wilmot Provso," by Congress, be-
cause do not consider Congress has the
constitutional power TO pass it; and if the
power existed it is wrong in principle, as
II we'll as policy. | have always thought that
all the States when the federal constitution
+. was formed, were free. equal and sovereign,
and went into the Union on terms Of perfect
: equality; the States retained all sovereignty
% except what was expressly granted to the
:. federal government; having thus entered the
Union, they were equals in rights and were,
and are, tenants in common in all The pub
lie property belonging TO the Union. The
=. federal government in my judgment is but
Of the agent or trustee Of the States and
IN people, and is bound 10 use and dispose oil
n all public property on terms Of perfect equal.
- ity, for the equal benefit Of all. The terri
o' tories are common property belonging to all
D. in which all have an equal interest: 10 say
Al then, that Congress has power 10 provide by
n law for the settlement OF the territories, ac'
quiIed and owned in common by the whole
u union in such manner as 10 exclude slave
holders from settling the same, and carrying
ot with them their slaves, which are recognized
e as property in the Constitution, is 10 adnai
II that Congress has The Constitutional poaue1
- to make a discrimination in the use am
) disposition of the common property of the
e aOhole Union, Ia facor of the people o
e another portion of the Union; which is an ad
n mission, that neuer hare made and neve
expect 10 make, until am prepared to ad
nit that all sovereignty aJides IN tie fed
Or eral union, and Aat congress has unlimited
n power 10 discriminate in ,taror of one por
e. ton of our fellop citizens and agains
:. another; doctrine TO Which do not sub
:. scribe.
u If The territories are common property
10 belonging 10 the whole union, which no one
lie can deny-the duty OF Congress under the
y clause Of the Constitution, which provides
chat the Congress shall have power 10 dis
- pose Of, and make all need(ul rules and reg
. ulations respecting the territories, and ohel
10 property belonging to the United States" i:
in my opinion, to organize territorial gov
- ernments, provide for the protection OF the
err public property, and the rights of American
7. citizens in the territories, and not 10 pas!
la,cs TO ezclude slacery, thereby indirectly
: excluding large portion OF the American
E people from an equal participation in the
settlement and enjoyment Of the property o.
Z The whole IInion. purchased with their com