Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-01-28

o organize government feavlng the oe-
ais 10 the people.
In the Distric, Of Columbia Congress
las exclusive prisdic,ien,. but there wero
peculiar reasons for that, arising osa OF the
situation Of the District and the original
,ederal compact. There is no clause in the
Constitution .hich gives Congress express
power to pass any law respecting slavery
in the territories. That Authority, is dcriv-
ed from various sources Every construc.
ton Of the Constitution which would give
a foreign Legislative power over slavery
would equally give it power over every
other social and POLITICAL question in the
territories. IF it were intended to give
Congress unlimi.ed power Of legislature
over territories, it would have been SO ex-
pressed. Mr. Cass then entered upon an
analysis Of the various clauses Of the Con-
stiiution upon which it has been attempted
to derive this power over territories.
Mr.. Cass was still speaking when our
report was made up.
HousE.-A lengthy discussion ensued
relative to the appointment temporarily Of
or c~u inuation of old, Door-keeper. 81
The President sent in Message in an
swer to the Resolution Of enquiry relative to
government in California. The President
says. "After explaining the matter, l did
not hesitate to express to the people of these
territories, my desire that each should, if
preya ared to comply with the requisition4of
the United States Constitution, apply for ad-
mission into the Union; but I did not au-
thorize ay government agent to influence
| the election of delegates, or control any
Convention in making or modif, ing their
domestic institutions"
WAsHINGToN, jan. %.
1 SENATE.-Mr. Webster submitted res
ola,ion granting every male citizen Of the
United States, who settle upon and cultivate
the same Tor three years, quarter section
of the public lands. This lies over.
The ena.e then resumed the special or
der Of the day, being Mr. ! cote ; Resolu
ton for forming territorial governments.
M CasS having the foor, resumed and
concluded his remarks on the WilHot Pro.
viso. He said: Il believe this Unien viii
survive oil dangers wRh which il may be
menaced, however trying the eircumslan
ces in which it may be placed. But te
maintain this proud position, this Integrity
of political existence on which so much foI
US and for the world depends, we must care
fully avoid these sectional questions, se
much and so forcibly d prec ted by the
Father OF his Country, and cultivate a spir
it Of mutual regard, adding to the consider
ations Of interest which hold US together.
Sad will be the day when the first drop
/ Of blood is shed in the preservation of this
Union. That day will never come if the
same spiri. Of compromise and concession
by each, to the feelings of all, which ami.
mated our fathers, continues TO animate Us
and our children But if power offensive
to one portion Of the country, and Of doub.
full oblgatios, to say the lens, Of it, are tc
be exercised by another and under circum
stances of peculiar excitement, this ccnfed.
GRAFTON may be rent in twain, leaving an.
other example OF that judicial blindness,
with which God, in his providence, con,in
ues to visit the sins Of ofnalions. Now, sir,
as mere practical question, is the legisla.
tive adoption Of this Proviso with the baz.
t ard at which alone it can be securcd' The
fobs,acles and dangers have briefly alluded
/ To, should require great and inestimaole nd
| vantages before such measure is forced
upon the country. Can any man say that
they correspond at all with the magnitude
of evil which must follow in the tTain.-
for. myself do not believe that the slight
est good will result or would result under
! the most favorable circumstances from this
Congressional interierence with the righ-s S
of the people of the territories. The OBJ.
ject avowed is TO prevent the introduction
,of slavery Can it go :here even if left
| without this protection, believe it can
not; and believe there are very few here,
Or elsewhere who think il can.
The Pfoviso is urged on the ground Of
| expediency. II is opposed on the ground Of
its unconstitutionali.y. Now is the con,es,
with cost to place this barren, as | believe,
and unconstitutional Proviso on the statute
books. will engage in no such CRUSADE
against the south. From whatever motive
it originates, will endeavor to discharge
| my duty as an American Sena'or, to the
country and to the whole country; and
when cannot do this, | shall cease to have
any duty TO perform here. My sentiments
upon the Wilmot Proviso are now before
the Senate. am precluded from voting
in conformity with item. have been in.
structed by the Legislature Of Michigan to
vote in favor of this measure. | am q be-
lever in the right Of instruction when fair.
ly exercised under. proper circumstances.
facknowledge the obligations of The instruc-
tiuns have received and cannot act in op-
position to them; nor can act in opposi.
ton to my own convictions of the true
lneaning OF the Constitution. When the
time comes, mud am required to vote up.
on this measure as n practical one, in bill
providing for territorial governn ent,
shall know how 10 reconcile my duty To the
Legislature with my duty to myself, by
surrendering the trust can no longer ful.
! fill
MIR. Cass co ,c.tded.
I MIR. Butler loek the fl ,or for TO- morrow.
The Bill for the repairing of The Cum
berland Dam passed.
The usual amount of business was passed:
after which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE, Nothing of intere>, has trans.
pired Mr. Clingman made spec ch IN
the subject of Slavery, in which he spoke
of rayIors Message in regnrd to Cali
| forpia.