The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-07
Nun-IMterventiOn.


vital doctrine of State rights, when applied to
the subject of Slavery.
1t is the doctrine of Iowa Democracy, in the
strength and beauty of its native simplicity. 1t
is the doctrine we have delighted to promulgate,
since first we took the pen in behalf of Demo-
cratic principles, and the doctrine which is des,
tined to triumphant ascendency in the minds
of the American people, SO long as Territories
are to be organized or State Governments to be
formed.
The Constitution of our Country bars the Gene
raj Government from meddling eoith the subject
Of slarery IN the organization Of Territories, bul
,ohere a State Constitution is to be formed there
let the people meet the negro question face to
face.
Then let the subject of slavery come up for
examination. Then let its evil influences upon
the social and political economy be presented in
their true colors, and let the PEOPLE put upon
it the ban of reputation.
Mr. Dodge said:-
| | intend to vote for this amendment of the
Senator from Louisiana, Mr.. SoULE.] The
Senator said he wished to feel the pulse ofthose
who are in favor of this bill. [ am perfectly
willing to have my pulse felt, if the object be to
ascertain whether, am in sound and healthy
condition it respects the guarantees of the
Constitution and the perpetuation OF this Uuion.
| will add, that he can have my vote whenever
he offers proposition which is nothing more,
in my judgment, than reaffirmance of the Con
stituton
"The Senator from Louisiana lives near the
mouth of the great river ofthe West, and many
miles above him, on the same river. 1t is due
to candor that l should tell him 1 am against his
black boys-that is, l want none of them, mol
anything to do with them. But, sir just so far
as they have entered into the Constitution of the
United States, and so far as they enter into the
question of State rights and the sovereignty Of
the people, am for them; am for enactng just
such laws as will hold the Senator and mysel
together friends in all time to come And
choose here to say to him-and | think he will
receive it in good part-that in the settlement
of Utah and New Mexico, banter and defy the
Senator to come on with his constituents as fast
as he pleases, and with his negroes, too, and
tell him that, without congressional conditions
or restrictions, and my constituents will beat
him in numbers and in influence; and, if not, we
will 60 to the wall. If destiny should chance
some years hence, to translate him and myself
question comes up for their admission as States
into the Union, and he should be in favor of sla.
very, | shall be found fighting him upon the
stump and in the papers against slavery; and
think should beat him, greatly as now know
him to be my superior. But, sir, here we are
together, coequal States, half slaveholding and
half -slaveholding, and l am not willing to
admit, by my action, that the institutions of the
slave States are better than those of the free
States, and that the people will adopt the former
unless their hands are shackled by Congression-
al restriction. But, sir if the converse of this
proposition were to prevail and the Congress of
the United States was to declare that no State
whose constitution established domestic slavery
should be admitted into the Union self-respect
would not permit these southern States to con-
tnue any longer in the Confederacy. s.
"The amendment is abstract and unusual; but
believe it has been brought forward because
of the extraordinary positions taken by the SEN
ator from New York Mr.. SEWARD and others,
and because we all plainly see that the artillery
OF abolltionism is everywhere pointed with the
most deadly precision at each and every remain
ing citadel of State rights. Then, Mr. Presi-
dent, on the other side, the honorable Senator
from South Carolina Mr. BuTLER1 is perfectly
rabd upon the subject of the formation of new
States, and is utterly alarmed at the idea of the
treemen in the mountains and gorges of Utah
and New Mexico deciding for themselves whe-
Their they will have negroes not, and who is
taxing his ingenuity in devisng ways and means
to prevent them from doing so; and here is the
Senator from New York, [Mr. sEwAnD,] declar-
ing that it is absolutely necessary for Congress
to pass a preparatory act, and that in that act
Congress can shape the institutions of the en-
bryo State in accordance with the sentiments of
the people of the whole Union. Sir, you dare
not thus trample under foot the sacred rights of
American citizens who may chance to be in a
Territory. They are intelligent, and am will
ing to leave their domestic concerns to themsel.
yes shall not, by my vote, infringe upon their
rights, nor do anything which shall give just
cause OF offence to any portion of this Union.
Mrs aIINE c. ~ -Iha anconai,,,aas Of