The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-21
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THUssDAY MORNING, NOV. 81, 1850


We published several weeks ago letter from re-
spectacle correspondent in Mobile, Alabama. referring
briefly to the grounds OF complaint on the part OF the
South against the North We have received another
communication. characterized also by great ioeraly
OF spirit. from the correspondent entering some
what into details and presenting as clear and intelgoe
q view OF southern grievances as we have seen We
have heretofore stated that the author was man OF
character and much intelligence. and by dis.
posed TO press the question respecting slavery, AT
Issue before the country TO extremties We give place
10 this communication did the other to open the
ewes Of the North to the state Of public feeling in the
South even among those who hardly be denomi-
mated uliras. We accompany this letter with few
brief comments on what conceive to be some OF its
erroneous facts and conclusions. The author doubtless
believes every word he writes be correct and while
we concur Ia much OF his communication, we think on
several points he is greatly mistaken or gives undue
importance TO very immaterial considerations He writes
in calm, rational spirit and hence whatever he
falls into will be likely 10 be the dangerous. and
call more imperavey on us for correction.
l. The admission OF California IN no just sense
be regarded as the extension Of the Wmo Proyiso into
that territory compehended within the limits Of the
present State Congress failed 10 provide territorial
government and the people, having increased to nearly
hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants formed State
government for themselves. They adopted the constu
ional exclusion Of saveryCongress had nothing to do
with il. We not in favor OF the admission
Of California; but our objection was not on this
ground-- related 10 the manner in which she pre-
scented herself and the extension of her limits south.
10 the line OF Mexico The population Of California is
now about 100000, much the greater proportion of
which were emigrants from free States and countries
They would at any time have right 10 establish
stution for their own government; and who is blind to
the fact that they never would establish slavery This
right OF the people provide their form OF govern
ment is the great principle for which the South has
always commended, and which she resisted the Will
mot Pfoviso Can anything, therefore, be more I'M
founded than pretend that the admission OF California
practically established that odious invention Of the abo-
ltonstss
o. The establishment OF territorial governments for
Utah and New Mexico is supposed to have aggrieved
the South. Howl Slavery is neither established nor
excluded in those Territories 1t stands as it should do
according TO southern docrnes-on the action Of TIE
people of the Territories They can do as they see t
Let southern citizens go there with their slaves and the
federal constitution far protects their rights that no
law should be passed. the territorial condition Of the
form State constitution that this power should be exer
csed and that depends, course, the sentiments of
majority Of the people When they come to form State
constitution. they of have the same right to deter
mine the character OF their domestic institutions they
have the right to determine, by the frame OF their
constitution, whether it shall be SLAVE or non slave
holding State. as Missouri had in 1890 or as Cali.
forna has at the present day. In fact the two acts of the
la ~,k. ~ n
both for New Mexico and Utah expressly provide .that
nothing in this act contained shall be construed to nhbt
the government Of the United States from dividing said
Territory into Territories in such manner and
At such times Congress shall deem convenient and
proper or from attaching any portion thereof any other
Territory State And propided, further. That when ad.
mittsd as State The said Territory any portion Of the
same, shall be received into the Union 10Th or pilaoui
slavery. as their constitution may prescribe the time OF
their admission" These acts also provide that the
constitution and all laws OF the United States which are
not wholly inappicabe. shall have the same force and
effect within the said Territory Of New Mexico as else.
where within the United States !" and further that
citizen Of the United States shall be deprived OF his
life, liberty. property In said Territory, except by
the judgment Of his peers and the laws Of the land"
On this subject correspondent asks us IL we mean
bound to protect slave property we'll as other property
OF course, az far as il bound protect any properly
must protect that OF the OF slaves But the very
fact that they are property according the views Of our
correspondent himself places the whole legislation on
the subject in the power OF the States or local govern
ments themselves Is the federal government called on
oprotect mans interest in his horses cattle or other
property real PERSONAL express termsl II not why
should slaves form exception The Mexican laws OF
emancipation, which those persons rely who allege
that slaves cannot be held there do not reach the case
The federal constitution snnulled them the moment the
territory acquired. But these same Mexican laws
in force in Texas long before and down to the time
Of her declaration Of independence in 1886 and vet her
citizens held slaves under them. without any legislative
decree the subject until was formally established by
the constitution Of her republic. Thousands Of slaves are
now held in Texas that taken born there prior to
the establishment OF her constitution and without any
Legislative or other decree subeetng them to slavery
Neither the constitution Of the Republic nor that OF the
State ever did this they both merely recognise the exist
ence OF slavery, and do not by retroactive pro-
visions. No man doubts that the rights OF the Taxa.
saveholder valid as those Of South Carolina or
Virginia
The fugtive-slave bill is regarded by our cores
pendent az regard but differ from him as TO the
probability Of it's faithful enforcement No doubt diff