The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-02-22

acquiredcountry. and carried along with
ii the institution of slavery, is so irrecon
cilable with any comprehension or any
reason which | possess, that | hardly |
know how to meet il. Why sir, these
United States consist flhirry States. In
fifteen of them, there was slavery; 10 fif
teen. slavery did not exist. How can it
be argued that the fifteen slave States,
by the operation of the constitution of
the United States, carried into the ceded |
country their institution of slavery any
more than it can be urged. upon the 9th
er side, that by the operation Of the same |
constitution. the fifteen free States car
ried into the ceded Territories the prln
clple of freedom, which they. from poll
cy, have chosen to adopt within their
lImitsi Let me suppose case, sir. Let
me imagine that Mexico had never abol
lshed slavery there at all Let me sup
pose that it was existing there, by virtue
of law. from the shores Of the Pacific to
those Of North Mexico. at the moment of
the cession Of those countries to US by
the treaty in question With what pa
thence would gentlemen coming from
the slaveholding States, listen 10 all ar
gument which should he urged by the
free States that Notwithstanding the exls
tence of slavery within those Territories
The constitution of the United States. the
moment it operated u on and took effect
within the ceded Territories, abolished
slavery, and rendered them freel Well,
is there not just as much ground to con
tend, where moiety of the States are
free, and the other moiety are slayehold
ing States, that the principle of freedom
which prevails in the one class Of States
shall operate as the principle of slavery
which prevails in the other class of States
shall operatel Can you. amidst the con
Aict ofinterests. ofprincip Piles, and oi legisla
tion, which prevails in the two parts ofthe
Union-can you come to any o;her con
clusion than that which | understand to
be the conclusion of the public law of the
world. of reason, and Of justice, that the
status of law, as it exists at the momen. of
the conquest or acquisition, remains nnai-
tered BY the sovereign authority of tue
conquering or acquiring powers That
il great principle, and you can scarcely
turn over page ofthe public law where
you will not find it recognized. The laws
Of Mexico, as they existed at the moment
of the cession of The ceded territories to
this country remained their laws still, un-
less they were altered by the new SOW
ereign power which this people and
these Territories came under, in coEse-
quence Of The treaty Of cession to the
United States. think. then. Mr.. Presi-
without spassing further, or ex-
hausting the little stock of strength which
, | have. and for which | shall find ample
I occasion in the progress ofthe argument
h that | may leave that part of the sub
j. ieci with two or three observations onl.
It upon the general power which, l think
s appertains to this government upon TN
n subject of slavery within those Terrific
y ries.
g But, sir, beforeI approach that sub
iect. allow me- to say that In my hum
r bic judgment. the institution of SLAYER!
! presents two questions totally distinct
n and resting upon entirely differen
$ grounds: slavery within the 'tates' an'
g slavery without the States. Congress
d the general government, has no power
r under the constitution of the unite
d States. to touch slavery within the States
al except in the three specified particular
D. in that instrument: TO adjust the subjeC
l. of representation. To. impose taxes whe
Of system of direct taxation is made, all
~ to perform the duty Of surrenderlng,
as causing to be delivered up, fugitive
ID when they escape from the service whic
n they owe in the slave States, and TAX
ct refnge in the free States, And, sir,
rs am ready to say that if Congress were
Y, attack within the States the institution
| slavery, with the purpose oftbe overthro
ct or the extinction of slavery. then, NJ
IN President my voice would be for war
m Then would be made case whlc
SO would Justify in the sight of God and
~ the presence of the nations of the cart
b. resistance On the part of the slave STATE
I'd to such an unconstitutional usurped a
n tempt as would be made under the su
IL position have stated. Then sir, v
ch should be acting in defence Of our right
re of our domlciles, of our property. ot ~
n. safety of our lives. Then | think won
cd be furnished case in which the sIa'
at, States wonld be justified by all the co
re sideratons which apperlain To the ha
Ia piness or security OF man, to employ e
| cry instrument which God or nature HI
lie placed in our hands, to resist such an
ia. tempt upon the part of this governmeu
d. Then sir, if, unfortunately, civil W
he should break out, we should present
it the nations of the earth the spectacle
th one portion ofthis Union endeavoring
subyert an institution of another porto
of in violation of the constitution and Il
m most sacred obligations. We should pr
in sent spectacle in which we should ha
es the sympathy and good wishes, and d
ID. sire tor our success of all men who 10
,w Justice and truth.
Or. Fardifferent. would, i fear, be our cas-
a. it, unhappiy, we should be led into WI
ut into civil war, if the two parts of Il
rot country should be placed in hostile +
I'M sition towards each other. in order
le carry slavery into new Territories I
Ill quired from Mexico. Mr. President
ke have heard--all of us have read t
elf efforts of France to propagae-what
ch the continent of Europel Not slave