The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-04
THE UNION.

Elseeaen sr CLERK sr she Hs1ss Representative.
The House proceeded yesterday, according TO lie pro-
vious resolution, to the election Of Clerk There
two ro-cals, both Of which Mr. Forney the regular
nominee Of the democratic party obtained decided pu-
ray VOTE Thelas vote left him behind only two votes
to secure his election The wing party then rerortsd to
their usual and nsdious tactics: they attempted to
defeat another baotsometimes by moving calls OF the
House, BY yeas and nays and sometimes by motions OF
adjournment Finally. they succeeded in obtaining an
adjournment, when ii seemed to be generally admitted
that by another vote Mr.. Forney would have been
elected
The wings desired to dodge the question They tried to
siaye off the election in order take the chances in the
chapter Of accidents or to organize their forces in
some other way, They were willing 10 avail them
selves Of every delay, with the hope Of making some
arrangement perhaps by intrigue, by snis
Ter influence, to turn the tide and defeat the democratic
nominee We cannot believe, for moment, that II is
possible for them to succeed.
Power Co.srsss over the People Territeriss
An old subscriber-and, as he says, a paying one,
tooresidng at Macon, Tennessee desires to give his
sentiments upon the territorial question through the
columns Of the Union; and as they appear to be well
expressed, refuse his request After referring
TO the opinions Of many distinguished senators upon
the subject and expressing the opinion that those Of
General Cass the territorial question approach nearest
the correct ground, he proceeds:
II is true that Congress has constitutional authority
to dictate TO the people Of any Territory whether not
slavery shall be tolerated among them; but il is equally
true that they have such authority TO dictate TO them
any other subject of Legislation that is left by the
stuticn 10 the States respectively, to The people This
Of course, will strike the minds Of most men very
radical proposition. Well, so much the better II is
time TO come 10 the root Of the matter question that
is shaking the very pillars OF beloved Union Ii is
indeed, RADICAL but It is no less true. ask the wses
men in the nation TO disprove il If they II the
stuon gives Congress any more power to egislate for
States, let the articles section and clause that confer
this power be pointed out The second clause Of the
third section Of article fourth is the only place in which
Congress shall have power dispose Of and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory and
other property belonging to the United States" Now
upon Congress- unlimited and despotic power over the
people that settle in the national territory, and purchase
it. occupy according to the neediu rules and regu
gives them power over the territory OF the nation only
property. Here there is not shadow Of author
ty for them to legislae in regard to slavery. or intern
Than they may for the people in the States And
after States have been organized upon this territory Of
the nation, and received into the Union, and have fully
ment, this power Of Congress the said territory re-
mains in stau quo By this, it is neither increased
diminished.
But now proceed to adduce positive evidence to prove
that all legislative power not expressly granted by the
constitution to Congress, the people OF the Terrific
res reserved to these people themselves, precisely
in the States. The tenth article in the amendments to
the constitution says 1he powers not delegated to the
United States by the constitution, prohibited by il
the States reserved to the States respectively,
the people" Now this article is admitted by all to be
shield Of brassyes of godo protect the people of the
States from federal usurpaon and tyranny Does il af-
into the Teitoriesi Certainly, to emgrate into
those Territories, and thereby enhance the value OF the
national domain tcnfold and make the desert rejoice and
wealth and power and prosperity, is not crime for
those inesmable reserved rights which they possessed
before their emigration. To suppose that all their rights
in regard TO fe liberty. properly and religion are left
in the hands and at the mercy Of Legislative body
two. or three thousand miles from their homes is utterly
at war with the very fundamental principles Of our go
rous rePubc and s contrary to the very letter q the
article above quoted When citizens OF the United States
90 and settle in Oregon Or California and there de-
mean themselves rs good citizcns-obeying all the
laws Of the Union, just the people OF the States do
thus recognising the sovereignty Of the national govern
menhey left by the constitution to exercise all these
reserved powers they may think best and they ought
TO be permitted TO elect their own governors and all other
local functionaries. The appointment OF these by the
general government is downright usurpatlon. My posi-
ton on this momentous question is now defined have
done. UNUS DOMlNORUM.