The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-11-23

mencement 81 ihe contest. Boz nn ortul y
for the psaes Of the country itions rom
our ranks occurred, the attitude q the loaih
ceased e command respect aua he 56not-
ious measures, which had been debated BY Con-
gress for nine months, became laws.
By these meuHs the ilapsholaine staios
have been absolutely excluded from the great
er portion, and by far the most valuable paFt, Of
all the territory acquired from Mexico, the
whole coast Of the Pacific, the gold mines, and
an area large enough for ten States Of medium
size; and although the less important terri
tories Of Utah and New Mexico, have been
organized without the WilmSt PrOyiso, yet
in both these cases, The mojority in Congress
expressly refused to repeal or suspend the
Mexican laws, which were supposed TO inter
dict the introduction Of slavery into these re-
gions. The doubt and danger, therefore,
which surrounded lie Introduction into these
territories, amour 10 on actual prohibition,
and 50 it was considered BY the majority in
Congress, who stood ready, had the emergency
required it, to stop the extension Of slavery
by positive prohibitions.
May | not, then, be justified in asserting
that by these measures the slaveholding States
have been V~irlUally excluded from the use and
enjoyment Of every acre Of the vast public do.
main acquired from Mexicol s.& ssaa
Even this is not all we have 10 complain Of.
BV one Of the bills Of the series, ten millions
Sf the public monies raised by taxation from
the industry Of the country, have been voted
to purchase from Texas a portion of her soil,
for no other apparent object than 10 convert il
to "free soil purposes" Would it be a great
ersiretch Of power 10 apply The Federal treas
nry TO the purchase Of their slaves, to make
them free?
Twill moi, however, dwell upon these Incidents.
My purpose leads me to examine the act Of
Congress admitting California, with reference
to its character, as bearing upon the political
destiny O( the country, and its effect Upon Il .
Southern States in a pecuniary point Of view.
To with the last. The value or
slaves depends upon the demand for their la
Dor. The history Of the cultivation Of our
great staples shows, that this value is perma.
nontIy enhanced BY the'OreniHg Of new fields
oflaboE. The minneapolis which have and
sill continue to reward well directed industry
in the gold mines Of California, exec ding
which have ever flowed from mere labor,
unmixed with capital, or mechanical SIX ilI.
have furnished a demand for the 'appli-
cation Of slave labor, inexhaustible in extent
md infinite in duration. Had this wide field for
been open TO the slave labor Of the
Southern States, wages would have risen, and
consequently the value Of slaves at home
have been greatly enhanced. Many
hundred milllons Of dollars would have been
added % the capital Of the Southern States,
iad they been merely permitted TO avail them
of the benefits to which they were emit
led under the Conslit utlon Of the United
Had the common territory acquired
by joint valor and purchased by joint treas ure
been honestly and fairly open to their use ana
occupation as joint proprietors; had equal,
even handed justice been extended to them,
hey would now be rejoicing and ex~ultant ii
he activity, energy. general prosperity, and
lbove all, confidence in the future, which
would have been impaired by such expansion
70 this estimate Of the pccuniary interest, losiI
o thsESSoalh by the interference Of Congress-,
. NE wv. eA| .LfL L "a. HLH rLEE -
nay properly be added the probable %enhanced
Of our great staples caused BY the abb
Of a portion Of the labor, now EN-
in their growth, and threatening in
ime over production. Had these proftabls
permanent fields Of labor been open to US,
tears Of such results, would have been for. a
'ver dissipated. "" N
These estimates Of pecuniaty interest are !
air and just. They Gre founded upon The 4
ixed opinion Of almost every well Informed /,
'erson among US, that had the Government {
lealt justly, and left these territories free and I
pen to the people Of the slaveholding States, TOR (
reasonable time, alurge portion Of them would I
ave eventually come into The Union as slave {
states. But deeply as this measure
nay have effected our Pecuniary interests, it's
ar more important when regarded II in lis polite
al aspect. The, admission Of California has, I
ulnisned for all time to come, a most danger {
'ns precedent Of Executive Interference, in I
he creation Of States. By its admission, it is {
conceded, that The first body Of adyenture Z
rs who may chance to assemble on the public /
may usurp absolute dominion ~odvIerit, .
nd appropriate tito themselves, ~ regardless Ut b
rights Of the people or the Sovereign /
Of this Union. The preceden1. q now {
that no legal authority, civil organization, y
of inhabitants, qualifications Of 9
.lectots, or other fOrmallties are necessary to
%onstitute a State, or to admit her into the /
Union, provided the institution OF domestic Z
be excluded. " i,s0' i
yxt,TN1TA artlf.4 !! n.ag.ae. HfaEf WAL1