Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-04-03

government for California, yet differences OF
opinion in the councils Of the Government pre-
vented the establishment ofany such territorial
government for California at the last session
of Congress. Under this state OF things the
inhabitants of San Francisco and CaI'forna-
then amounting to great number OF people,
in the summer of last year, thought II 10 oe
their duty to establish a local government
Under the proclamation Of Gen. Riley, the
people chose delegates and convention met AT
Monterey They formed constitution tor the
State of California, and it was adopted by the
people of California in their primary assem-
blaees. Desirous of immediate connection with
the United States, its Senators were appointed,
and Representatives chosen, who have come
hither, bringing with them the authentic con-
stitution ofthe State of CALIFORNIA;; and they now
present themselves, asking, in behalf OF their
State, that the Stale may be admitted into tins
Union, as one of the United States. This
constitution, sir contains an express prohibition
against slavery or involuntary servltude IN the
State of California 1t is said, and | suppose
truly, that of the members who composed that
convention, some sixteen were natives and had
been residents Of the slaveholdng States, about
twenty-five were from the non-slaveholdlng
States, and the remaining ten members were
either native California or old settlers in that
country.
And it is this circumstance, sir, the prohlbl-
ton of slavery by that convention, when has
contributed to raise-I do nA say it has wholly
raised-the dispute as to the propriety OF the
admission Of California into the Union under
this constitution. 1t is not to be denied, Mr.
Presdent--nobody thinks of denying that
whatever reasons were assigned at the CON-
mencement of the late war with Mexico, it was
prosecuted for the purpose of the acquisition OF
territory, and under the alleged argument that
the cession of territory was the only form in
which proper compensation could be made to
the United States by Mexico for the various
cl: inns and demands which the people of this
Government had against her. At any rate, it
will be found that President Polks message at
the commencement of the session of December,
lS47. .Mowed that the war WAS to be prosecuted
until some acquisition of territory was made
And, as the acquisition was to be south Of the
line fthe United States, in warm climates and
countries, it Was naturally, suppose, expected
bv the South that whatever acquisitions were
m;.de in that region would be added to the
s,ayphoIdiny portion of the United States
Events have turned out as have not been ex-
perted, and that expectation has not been reaz-
ID: and therefore some degree ofdi>appointment
and surprise rs resui. I'd. of course. In other
worjy, i: is oo, .Ous that the question which
has so iouu .,uru -sed the country, and at some
times very seriously alarmed The minds Of wise
and GOOD men. has come upon US for fresh
DISCUSSION the question Of slavery in these
United States.
Now sir upon the general nature and char:c-
ter and influence of slavery, there exists wide
difference between the Northern portion OF this
country and the Southern. 1t is said, on the
one side that if not the subject ofany injunction
or direct prohibition in the New Testsment,
slavery is a wrong; that it is founded merely in
the r.ht of the strongest; and that it is an op.
preston, like all unjust wars, like all those
conflicts bv which a mighty nation subjects a
weaker nation to their will, and that slavery, in
;ts nature, whatever may be said Of it in the
notifications which have taken place. is not in
f,ct according to the meek spirit OF the gospel
1t is not kindly affectioned. It does net "seeS
another's and not its own" 1t does not "let the
oppressed 60 free Suc!, are the sentiment:
cherished, and rencently with greatly augmented
force among the people ofthe Northern States
Ithas takenhold Of the religious sentiment o.
that part of the country, as it has more or les
taken hold of the religious feelings Of consd
erable portion Of mankind. The South, upol
the other side, having been accustomed to thi
relation between the two races, all their lives
from their birth: having been taught in genera
to treat the subjects If this bondage with carr
and kindness--and believe, in general, feeling
for them great care and kindness-have yet no
taken this view of the subject which | have
| do IF roll
men, with eonsciences as tender as any of thei
brethern at the North, who do not see the un
lawfulness Of slavery, and there are more thou
sands, perhaps, that, whatever they may thinl
of il in its origin, and as a matter depending
upon natural right, yet take things as they are
and, finding slavery to be an established relation
Of the society where they live, can see no wa,
| in which--let their opinions on the abstrac
question be what they may-itis in the powe
Of the present generation to relieve themselve
from this relation. And, in this respect, cando
obliges me to say that believe they are just a
conscientious, many Of them, Of the religious
| people all Of them, as they are in the North il
holding different opinions
Now, sir, in this state Of safe Of sentimen
upon the general nature of slavery lies the caus
ola great portion Of those unhappy divisions
exasperations and reproaches which find ven
and support in different parts Of the Union.-
Slavery does exist in the United States. 1t di'
exist in the States before the adoption Of thi
constitution, and at that time. aazs
+ And now let us consider, sir, for q moment
what was the state Of sentiment, North ant
South, in regard to slavery at the time thi
constitution was adopted. A remarkable chang
has taken place since. but what did the wise AM
great mel, of all parts Of the country think 0
slsverya Inwhat estimation did they hold il il
1881, when this constitution was adopted! Nov
il will be found, sir, if we will carry ourselves
back BY historical research to. that day, ane
ascertain imen's opinions by authentic record
s.;ll existing among US, that there was no grea
diversity Of opinions between the North and tn