The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-12
Extract from the M "ssage Of Gov. Roane
of Arkansas

CouldI, consistently with sense of nv duty
close this communication without reference to
questions OF national character, or other sub
jrcts than those immediately connected with our
domestic interests, | would here gladly conclude
Nothing but considerations Ct deep moment
involving results of vital Importance could in
duce me to divert your ate! ton for n moment
from those great questions Of home policy, so
imperiousy demanding action at your hands.
But the question Of slavery, which has for
months agltltcd this nation, from one extremity
to the other, presents an issue for reflection and
decision, alarming in its character, and n ore
urgently requiring calm and serious delibera-
ton, than the most wcghty measures Of State
policy.
The people look to you, as the representa-
tivcs Of the State, for security ard projections
And tho State upon her part, must depend upon
the General Government, in great degree, for
the enjoyment Of many Of those advantages es-
Sential to her prosperity. The mutual rights Of
the State and Federal Governments, should be
most scrupulouSly regarded. Should the Gen
eral Government attempt to usurp authority, and
exercise powers, moi granted to her, derangc-
mcnt and confusion must inevitably result So
when the States interfere with jurisdictions
strictly national, the ability Of the government
to protect the interests for which she was crea-
ted, is weakened. There is power inherent in
the State, with which they have not, and cannot,
part to rebuke and arrest every attempt, on the
part Of the General Government, 10 transcend
those limits assigned her by the Constitution
The States may exercise doubtful powers, when
the common welfare demands it; because they
are independent Of all controlling powers Not
so with the General Government. Her pathway
is marked out, and her duties defined. She can
day 70 H.on tbn fra, o,,l 81 a.
without being guilty of usurpaton.
Whom the sovereign States, now comprising
this nation, by mutual agreement consented to
part with certain of their powers to be cXer-
cscd by General Government, in order that
they might obtain thai strength, ever resulting
from harmonious union of resources it cannot
be commended that they did not retain the power
to annnl that Union, to abrogate the compact,
which bound them together, whenever the
Union f1lled to answer the States must be
sovereign, or they are dependent: if the for
mcr, we may boast Of republican and free
government. If the latter, we may expect a
dcspotsm more absolute than the Autocracy
of Russia
The question must now be determined. The
contest thus far has resulted in favor of central
power. 1t is time our position should be known.
AS the South failed to obtain her rights, 10y in
action and delay, so may we be robbed of our
independence, by like procrastination The
union Of the North with the General Govern
ment. upon the slavery question. presents for
midable alliance against us, requiring us to do
battle, not only for the rights of our property,
but for our very existence as sovereign State.
Our rights to hold property in slaves, is clearly
recognized in the Constitution and the rirht to
regulate and control that property, is reserved
to the States. Yet Congress, by her action, has
cvnced a disposition to wrest that controlling
power from their hands ana, when the plain
provisions Of the Constitution are placed before
her, higher law" than this, IS declared to
exist True, there may be but few who are
willing to aYow this monstrous doctrine. So it
was upon the subject of nbolitor, but a few
years ago Now, majority of this nation if
We may Judge by the action of Congress, upon
the admission Of California into the Union as Il
State, entertain these sentiments, and act ac-
cordingly.
California was acquired by the blood and
treasure Of the North and of the South, Jointly
and both the slave holder and Free .soilcr held !
an equal interest in the acquisition Each had
the same right to remove there, and take every
species of property recognized by the Constitu-
ton Of tho United States. Yet the Federal
Executive, In the absence of all law and pre.
cedcnt, supported by Northern Abolitionists has
thought proper to inclte a few adventures and
aliens to go through tho miserable farce Of
holding convention, and forming constitu-
ton, to the end that he might be extricated from
labyrinth of conflicting pledges, disreputably
maze 70 secure the Presidency, and that slavery