Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-04-03

| [ believe almos, every Southern gentleman
voted for that proposition. But Why do
this, if il wss already there in full force !
regard this as plain and distinct admis-
sion that the only part Of the Constitution
which has any operation upon the people
there. 10 that provision which enables Us TO
legislate for then. .and which your Supreme
Court says,is ''onIy limited BY the discre-
ton Of Crng,sss" But even admitting i.
to be there in full force and operation. |
deny most empha,icaliy, the conclusion
soueh, 10 be established, as have shown,
IN the former part Of this argument. iha,
this Constitution never did and never will,
propio uigore. authorize any one 10 hold
IN bondage any single human being a. a
slave. do not say that Congress. under
this power. might not pass laws to that cf:
feet; but will say. such laws shall never
be passed with my vote or with my con-
sent.
But gentlemen saw, you can not exclude
US from equal participation in this common
treasure YOU can not preven, US from go
ing to the Territories and carrying our
property with us. can only answer this
by saving. we give you an open field along
with us. We neither possess nor ask The
rieh, to 20 and take slaves there, and why
should you possess any right that we do
not. Can not you, like Us. go wi.hou,
your slaves! Or do you regard them rs
"a par, Of your identity and existence =!
What is property and WHIST is mol. is depen-
den, Oh tho local law.and jurisdictions IN.
der which we live. Yours give you the
right to hold and own slaves a. property /;
and the Constitution of the United States
protects you in the enjoy msnt Of that prop.
ersy, and. in case Of voluntary escape, en-.
ables you to recapiure il. Bu, whenever,
by your own voluntary act, you remove
with your slaves beyond the jurisdiction Of
those local laws and regulations (Which
conferred upon you this right and this pro.
perty) 10 another jurisdiction. which does
no, recognize and confer this right, not
only your local lave under which you had
held your slaves become imperative. but
the Constitution Of the United States no
longer secures you in tho. property. but
shields and protects the slave IN the asser.
ton OF his freedom. Our local and muni-
Icipsl laws confer upon Us many rights ard
franchises-such as banks. insurance. and
other joint stock comPanes-in which
much Of our wealth and capital is em-
barked yet the widest enthusiast never
dreamed Tor moment that he could enter
The Territories and ENJOY these rights there,
and thus carry his local and municipal pri.
vileges beyond the jurisdiction by which
they were conferred-though, | must &C.
knowledge. can see us good reason for
the claim in the one case as in the other.
II gentlemen of the Sou!h are sincere in
their belief of the uncons,,u,ionality Of leg
i.laiion OF this kind over the Territory, ii
appears TO me they would manifest ii, no,
| by heat andexcitemenl here-not by threat.
ming TO "resist a, all hazards and to the
last exiremi,y"-not by calling conven.
! rons to dissolve the Union and destroy The
Government, but would appeal Peaceably
TO the Judiciary Of the country to pro-
nounce all laws of that kind null and void.
This would appear to suggest itself ss the
more rational, as we'll as the more homes,
and patriotic course.
ln regard 10 California. these principles
can have no application. The people o!
hat country have set,Ied these matters for
themselves. They have formed State
Government, and are here asking for ad.
mission into the Union, as a sister State.
Aud upon what grounds can we refuse 10
receive ihem1 GeniIemen object because
The proceedings to form a constitution were
irregular and unauthorized by Congress.
Bat they should remember, a. the same
lime, that Congress and the country owed
il to the people Of California. and To the
| thousands Of our ciiizens emigra,ing there,
TO establish them a government which
~on'd afford them security and protection.
So tar from this. they were almost aban-
doned by The Government, and left to take
care Of themselves as best they might. I'm
der these circumstances, hold that the
people Of California were no, only justified,
but had rerfec, right, TO meet and form
for themselves such government. as they
deemed be., adapted to their situation and
necessities. Under the pressure Of circum.
stances, they did SO /; and :he only inquiry
wish to make is. Is that Constitution Re.
publican 10 its form! This. l believe. is
not disputed. Then Why will you rePulse
her from your door. and spurn her Repre-.
sen.alives, who are as justly entitled to their
seats as any other members upon this door!
. L. H.