Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-02-18

the Farewell Address upon the diary of Mr.. Ad-
ans, and close this ungrate1ul topic with few
| remarks.
First, then, permit me to refer to the Farewell
Address Of Washington:
"The unity Of government, which constitutes
you one people, is also, now dear TO you. 1t is
justly so, fer it is main pillar in the edice oil
your real inoependenee-the support OF your
tranquility at home, ard your peace abroad--of
your satety--oi yoGr pfospeTity-of that very
liberty which you SO highly prize. But as i is
easy to toresee, that from different caiises and
from different quarters, much pains vii! be taken.
many artices employed, TO weaken liz your niia#
the conviction Of This truth. this is iie point
your political fortress against which the batteries
Of internal and external enemies will be most con
stany and actively. though often cONertiy and in
sidiolsly, dlrected it is Of Infinite moment that
you Should properly estimate the imfnense value Of
your national Union. to your collective and inti-
vldud happiness; that YOU should cherish cor
dia hahitual and ilnnoyable attachment to il, ac-
clistolnin& yourselves to think and speak OF it as
the palladium OF your political safety and prosper
EiiJ-#atching for lis preservation with Jealous an
xiety-tiiscounenancihg whatever may suggest
even suspicion that it ean in amy event, be a5an-
done3, and Indignantly froWning upon the first
dawning Of every attempt TO ALLEVIATE any portion
OF our country from the rest, to enecble the
sacred ties which link together the various
parts. For this You have every inducement Of
sympathy aud interest. Citizens By birth and
choice, Of common country-that country has a
right to concentrate your affections. The name Of
ss American which belongs 10 you-in your ma
tiona capacity, which must always exalt the inst
rived from local determinations. With slight
shades of difference, you have the same religion
manners, habits, and political principles. You
have, in common cause, fought and trumphed
together-the Independence and liberty you pos
SEES are the Wok Of just councils and Joint Efforts,
OF common dancers. stiIferiNGS and .urrpgSas
And now said MI G., / turn to the Diary Of
Mr.. Adams.
The progress Of this discussion has so totally
merged IL passion, all The reasoning faculties OF
these Shareholders, that these gentlemen In the
simplicity Of their hearts had come 10 conclusion
in direct opposition to the premises, without being
aware, or being conscious Of inconsistency They
insisted upon 1t. that the clause in the constitution
which gives Congress power' to dispose Of, and to
make all necdtul rules and regulations respecting
the territory and other property of the United
States had reference only TO it as land, and con-
ferred no authority to make rules binding upon its
inhabitants, &c, Sc cit is, in TRUTH all per-
verted sentiments, mistaking labor for slavery and
dominion Tor freedom The discussion OF this
Missouri question has displayed the secrgt of their
souls. In the abstract they admit that slavery is
an evil. They disdain all participation in the in
PRODUCTION Of it, and cast ii upon the shoulders of
our old grandame, Britain, But when probed to
the quick upon it, they show at the bottom Of their
souls pride and vain glory in their very condition
Of masterdom The impression produced upon
my mind by the progress Of this discussion is, that
the bargain between freedom and slavery, contain
ed IN the Constitution Of the United States, is
morally and politically vicious, inconsistent with
the principles upon which alone our revolution can
be justified; cruel and oppressive by riyetting the
chains OF slavery, by pedging the faith OF freedom
to maintain and perpetuae the tyranny of the mas
ter, and grossly unequal and mpolitic, by admit.
ting that slaves are at once enemies to be kept in
ection-propcfty to be secured or restored to
their owners, and persons not to be represented
| themselves, but for whom their masters are prv-
eyed with nearly a double share Of representation
The consequence has been that the slave represent
taton has governed the Union. Benjamin, por-
toned above his brethren, has roaned as wolf.
In the morning he has devoared the prey, and at
night he has divided the spoil. It would be 10
difficult matter to prove, by reviewing the history
of the Union under this Constitution, that almost
everything which has contributed to the honor and
welfare OF the nation has been accomplished in
despite OF them, OF forced upon them, and that
everything unpropitous and dishonorabe, inclu-
ding the blunders and ollies of their adyersaries,
may be traced to them"
After some further remarks upon the character
and pernicous influence Of the sentiments express
ed in the Diary, Mr. Z. pioceeded as follows
:. A lew words respecting the constitutional doc
trne advanced, in this consideration, therefore,
only said, g that the ordinance OF 1857 had been
passed by the old Congress oil the confederation
without authority from the States, bat had been
tacitiy confirmed by the adoption OF the present
constitution. and the authority given to Congress
in it TO make naed.n! rules and regulations for he
territory Such Is the ground upon which Mr.
Adams places the right of Congress to legislate
over the territories. have already referred TO his
views respecting the power TO = make needtil
rules and regulations, "aich extends the power
to every thing. And We have here another ioun
dajion for Congressional authority. as loose and
danger GUS as lar as can understand il, as that can
be; tacit coniirinatlon, by the adoption OF the
present Constitution. 7 do not pretend 10 com
preiend, eth any Gstinctuess What is here meant
All that can make out of il is that there is some
| mode OF power by the Constitution, neither eX-
pressed or implied, but acit. | must leave, how
ever 10 others 10 relutc the proposition eiab
ofaley, who deem it enttlel, 10 more elaborate con
side!atlon, and who are more fortunate that amin
| comprchendins it. Mt G. next proceeded with
an argument relative to the practical exercise by
Congress OF the power 10 egisaie for the terrific
lies, and The authority which this Legislative con.
sturtion carries with it,
He did not intend to call in question the weight
of precedent and autaoaty in the adjustment OF
contfoverted questions; they were entitled TO much
consideration IN the discussion of question, but
should not control lis decision, when obviously en-
foneeus In this connection he reviewed The de-
clsions ami opinions OF the supreme Court, follow
ing them up with an investigation OF the various
Congressional preeecpnts ard an examination of
their claims to the approval Of sound, practical
mind, and an influence upon the present action OF
Congress. He also vndicaed The exercise by the
people of territory OF the Legislative power de-
nying thai it Was a boon 10 be granted by Con
gress TO be eAlarged or restricted as seemed eXpe
dent or desirable.
Ia conclusion Mr., G. remarked upon the expo
diency Of exercising the right OF legislation this
power to control the territories by the Wi1mot
Pfoviso-by those who found in the Constitution,
OF any where else, such power Here is one-half
(he said) OF great county, which believes, with
unanimity, perhaps, without a parallel, in grave
national questions, that the Constitution has dele
gated to Congress no such power whatever. And
there is large portion Of the other half which en-
tertaln similar Views while ct those who see in
the Constitution sufficient grounds for legislative
action, there are many who admit, indeed proba-
bly,, there are few, who deny that the power OF the
government is not free Ioin serious doubts. Be-
sides the want OF constitutional power there are
at least fourteen States Of the Uni n which see in