The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-22
iron THE REpUBLIc.l
The present Difficulty.

The present Dimculty.
Moderation in all things is great virtue and at
no previous period Of American history has il been
so important as it is now. When the value of this
Union has become a matter of calculation among
the Representatives of Heaven blessed people,
it behooves all of to pause the wisest of us to
consider, and the best of US to tremble From the
hour in which God made man after his own image,
down to the present moment, human wisdom has
devised better plan for the government of
human action. than the one under which we live.
It's benefits reach the lowest well the highest,
and its broad shield protects all in the enjoyment
Of life, liberty, and property. The idea of its de-
struction cannot be seriously entertained by any
one claiming TO be philanthropist; and therefore
the of the present excitement which, if per-
sisted in, calculated to endanger its stability,
should be removed. We people; and that
we should continue to be knit together in the
bonds of fraternal affection is proposition which
needs only 10 be stated 10 be at affirmed.
The developments Of the last three months indi-
cate that there three parties the controversy
now agitating the republic. In other words, three
distinct principles have been avowed upon which
this question should be settled. propose 10
anime each while presenting them faithfully, fair
ly, and honestly to the consideration Of the Amer-
can people. First, there is the proposition Of n
party at the North, who insist that Congress shall
by Legislative enactment, exclude slavery from all
Territories now belonging 10 the United States.
This is manifestly unjust and impolitc, and will
inevitably endanger the Union Of these States. IL
is unjust, inasmuch the Territories in dispute
the common property of the Government, and
the people Of one portion Of the Union have Ms much
right 10 settle in them those of another If you
exclude slavery, TO all intents and purposes you
exclude slaye-owncrs. II must be borne in mind
IL,
the institution; and whatever force there may be
in the argument against the morality Of the insti-
tuition, IL Is not applicable under existing circum-
stances. This was settled by the adoption Of the
present federal Constitution, and you cannot look
beyond that hallowed instrument in the adjudca-
ton Of the question. IL may be an argument for
annulling the contract, but II by means ustifes
a violation Of its provisions, its spirit. II is
not only unjust 10 exclude those from going into
the Territories who are, in with the rcst Of
the people States the rghtfu owners thereof
but IL is unjust TO those who may eventually be-
come citizens Of these Territories. One Of the
great beauties, and may say the great bulwark
Of the system under which we live, Is the perfect
equality Of right that belongs TO each independent
sovereignty when admitted into this sistcrhood Of
confederated republics. II will not be denied that
Ccorgia has the right, IL she chooses, TO abolish
slavery tomorrow, and Il equally follows that
New York possesses the same right TO establish IL
at her will. II, them you assume that slavery
shall be excluded from the Territories by Congress
sional action, you destroy the equality Of right,
and, while you give 10 State all the attributes
Of sovereignty, you deny these attributes TO an
other If il is just that New York should establish
the institution Of slavery, whenever majority Of
her people choose IL is nothing but justice thatany
other Territory applying for admission into this
Union should possess the same right, and the with
holding Of Il by any act Of Congress IL necessarily
unjust. The trainers Of the Constitution never
contemplated the imposition Of burden or the de-
NAL Of right TO one State that did not attach
equally TO all and hence. while that sacred i'm
srument secures 10 thcold States the right to
else all power over their respective municipal regu
lations, II never intended to deny that right to
new States upon their application for admission.
II, therefore, seems evident that any Congressional
action to prohibit slavery in the Territories is not
only unjust to the STAKEHOLDER in depriving him Of
right which is recognised under the Constitution,
but il is unjust TO the people in the aggregate who.
ever they may be that become citizens Of the Ter
ritory in dcprving them, in their associate organ
ization, Of one Of the attributes Of sovereignty.
Besides IL is doing injustice 70 the system under
which we live, TO destroy the equality of right that
belongs to every independent State when admitted
into this Union Il isaso impotic 10 nsist upon this
proposition for besides the irritating and etasper
ating influence that such policy y calculated "a
produce upon the people Of the South IL looens the
chords that bind us as people, and cndangers the
Union upon which we have built our hopes and our
happiness. But admitting, for the sake OF uc argu.
mcnt. that no injustice is done 10 the southby the
enactment Of prohibitory law against the exist