Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-08
CONCLUDED. ]

Now, sir, what is it the North do really want! Not
20 invade the rights of the Souhnot to interfere d.
recty indirectly with slavery in the States else
where where il Is secured by the Constitution. But
they opposed to the institution They believe not
only to be wrong, but detrimental to the prosperity oil
any country where 1t exists This Is the Pervaulng sem
ment of the North and hence they consent that
1t shall be extended where Congress may righuly pre-
IT, for they would be in part responsible for such
extension They believe that wherever. under the Con-
stitutOn Congress may rightuly control abolish IT.
they as well the South responsible for Its
tnuance; and that il not only their right but their
duty free themselves from that responsibility. They
do seek desire in the least infringe upon the
constitutional rights Of the slave States, and hence all
which you those States have do when they propose
TO legisate upon the subject in any particular manner
for any particular place, is BY your arguments to sat
isy them that they have right do and they will
desSt. You may convince them by reasonngs, but
you cannot deter them by your threats.
Now, sir, let see if nothing be said in favor OF
the right nhbit slavery from these territories, and
thus ascertain whether the wish do the part of
the North must of necessity be indicative OF wanton
desire invade the rights Of the South have no doubt
oil the constitutional power OF Congress to pass the pro-
vSo though may not be expedent Tor US 10 exercise
it. There many latent powers in the Constitution
which has BEEN and never may be- necessary or
Judicious or not necessary would not be udleous)
exercise 1t is late dispute the constitu
tonal power of this Government govern the terrific
reS until the people OF those territories shall be IN the
situation and shall desire to assume their sovereignty
and their inherent right of self government The
exercise OF that power commenced by the very ira
OF the Constitution Immediately after Its establish
men and has since been continued and unanimously
acquesced in by the people, not only OF the States, but
OF the territories also. 1t IS not material to inquire Whc
Their that power derived from the warmakng power,
the treaty making power, the power to make needlu
rules and regulations for the territory other property
OF the United States from either of which may be in
ferred. Slavery is the of municipal law
troed and regulated by it, and subject to the govern
ment under which exists Hence, if we have the right
under the Constitution, govern these territories,
hava l0hf tn
less right eosate upon that subject Is limited by
the Constitution itself find such limitation. The
power TO govern these territories FROM whatever
derived, Is limited only by those general restrictions
which forbid Congress to egislate any whatsO-
ever upon certain SUBJECTS but the subject of slavery
IN the territories is not one oil them know, SIR that
this Government is limited one, and has right to
exercise any power expressly granted it by the
Constitution which is not necessary to carry out such
expressly granted power and my position is IN accord
with this principle 1t is that the power govern
the territories expressly granted by the implied
necessary to carry out the other clauses to which
have referred The power is general one subject only
10 the limitations of the Constitution, OF which slavery
In such territories is We have therefore, the
unlimited power of legislation upon that subject in the
territories, and of course the power to prohibit It,
Where does the sovereignty OF the people OF these
territories existl In the people oil these States as
have heard il suggested upon this oorl No. sir; such
thing set Of individuals, the people OF the
States holding the sovereignty that is being the sove
reigns of another set of Individuals the people of the
territories, in violation Of the theory and genius OF our
nsttunons-s the very OF despotlSm said
that belongs the Government of the United States
but this to the thng-it would be the people
oi the United States, through their Government hold
ing the sovereignty the people OF the territories
We told that the Government of the United States
acquired the territory from Mexico and with 1t the sove
rcny and that she holds them in trust for the States
Of the Union. Sir, does sovereignty belong to the sol
Has reference TO the land the people! Is 1t for the
government Of the land the people and their rights,
Others in reference the land2 If belongs
to the land then every petty landholder everywhere
the sovereign of all who live upon his land No, SIR
sovereignty has reference the people, and wherever
You lind inhabitants, they have inherent sovereignty
an inherent right oil selgovernment which they received
from their Maker, and which power earth
rghtfuy take withhold from them without their
sent This Government procured from the Government
of Mexico the SOIL and the sovereignty Of the people,
which had before been exercised through that Govern
ment transferred this, and is exercised by
h with the consent OF the people oil the territories sup
posed to be expressly given through the Constitution by
every person living under its jurisdiction tactly by
acquescence in Its exercise, until they choose to resume
1t for themselves by forming State governments. And
this Government holds this right exercise this
regnty not her own for the people of the United
States, not in trust for the States Of this Union not in
trust for the people who shall go there hereafter but for
those there and should scrupuously exercised
according 10 their wishes and for their interests To
this position wish particularly call the attention of
the committee because shall have occasion
suPonit shall predicate my action upon this question
repudae this doctrine of trusecshp for the States of
which we have heard so much. What this Government
holds she holds not in trust for the States, but for her.
SELF as the representative of the nation in the aggregate.
There governments holding complete sovereentics
in this country: There classes of imperfect or
limited soyereigntes, which, taken together, would
make entire sOveregnties. The States perfect
soveregnties because they have relnquished portion
OF their sovereign rights and powers TO the General Gov
ernment-that is those rights and powers which give
nationality to it. To the extent of these powers, the
General Government is sovereignty, and what it holds
by right Of them it holds for itself sovereign and not
for the States These territories therefore, she holds
for the States the people Of the States
people of the States but for ITSELF for the of its
own cofers-for the people of the nation a nation
But admitting it to be constitutional to nhibt slavery,
IS 1t right TO do sol There there can be other rule
OF right in a republican government than the will of the
majority when confines itself within the Constitution
and when 1t does not seek TO violate any OF the great
natural rights of man. with which government has
night interfere But it is argued it would violate these
principles because the people of the slave States say
depriyes them, whilst it does not deprive the people OF
the free States, of the right go into occupy, and
JOY the common property of our common Government,
property obtained by blood and treasure
think not, sir. They 90 there upon the terms
that we can GO We have slaves, and take none
these they 90 there without theirs if they choose
so TO CO. they stay where they and enjoy them
The choice Is with themselves This deprves them oil
no right which they enjoy, but II is simple refusal
Of this Government extend that right territory
where it does exist. 1t deprvcs them of nc
right which they hold under the Government Of the
United States by virtue OF their citizenship Of it, The
right to hold slaves they derived from the Gov
eminent OF the United States but from the State GOV
ernmcnts respectively The General Government Gre
ates such right. II simply recognizes the right o.
the State governments it within their iu
Fsdcton and after they shall have done So it protect:
their citizens in the enjoyment of il within that ursdic
ton. told that the Constitution not only
recognizes the right TO bold slaves within the State.
where exists but without such State and within an
ether State which expressly inhibs it, To prove this