The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-01-19

at Columbus on the 8th of January inst, closed
its labors by repudiating the Wilmot Proviso, and
approving of the non-intervcnon views of Gen.
Cass in relation to territories We wish the peo-
/ pleof Sandusky county to bear in mind that this
Democratic (save the mark convention, decided
by vote of two to one, that Congress has not the
constitutional power to legisate upon the subject
of Slavery-in other words that the application of
the Wilmo Proviso to the territories of the United
States by Congress, would be unconstitutional
That such was the action of the Convention, we
shall fully demonstrate to our readers. before we
close this article Mr. Warner proposed and ur-
ged the adoption of the following resolutions:
1st Resol0ed That the ordinance of1787, draf-
ted originally by the hand which framed the de-
caration of Independence derives its chief excel
lence from the Democratic principle developed
therein, that of uncompromising hatred to all ty-
rany over the mind or body of man.
I'd. Resolved That the principles of said ordi-
nance, conservative of freedom, may be extended
by Congress to all the territories of the United
States, without any violation of Constitutional law
| 3d. ResoIved, As the sense of the Democratic
party of Ohio that it is both lawful and expedent
that said principles be practically applied to all of
said territory, with the least possible delay.
The resolutions were voted down by vote of
1 54 to a. Nearly two to one.
Thus the Locofoco convention voted against a
principle of power, which has been recognized since
the year 1887. The ordinance of that year was
applied to the exclusion of Slavery from the north
western territory of the Union, now the States of
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, &C., and, we be-
leve, more recently applied to the States of Iowa,
Wisconsin, and Minisota, 1t was also applied, du-
ring the administration of President Polk, to the
territory of Oregon. Now this Convention comes
forward land it claims to represent the opinions of
the democracy of Ohio,) and solemnly declares, by
an overwhelming majority, that the ordinance of
1887, drafted by the immortal Jefferson, and which
is the same in substance as the Wilnot Proviso is
unconstitutional and that its application to the ter
ritories of the United States, is an encroachment
upon the rights of the citizens of that territory
But let us look little farther Mr. Bierce of Sum
NIT offered for adoption the following resolution:
ResolUed That we approve of the vote given in
the United States Senate, by our late Senator,
VIM. Allen, on the application of the Wilmot Pro-
viso to the Territories-and we recommend to our
Senators and Representatives in Congress, to en-
graft the principles upon all bills for the or
ganization of Territorial Governments.
The resolution was lost, yeas 1o4; nays 100.
Mr. Bierce, having seen the Proviso voted down
by the Convention, hoped to get the principle
acknowledged by it, that Congress had the right
to apply its provisions to territorial government,
conceived the idea of using stratagem TO effect his
object Hence, the linking of the name of Allen
in his resolution, that the convention recommend
to our Senators and Representatives in Congress,
to engraft its provisions in bills of that nature. How
signally he failed the vote will show Poor man in
the ignorance of his imagination he did not suppose
the convention would vote to directly their
late Senator, for his manliness in voting for the
Provso But in that he was also mistaken.
Thus far we have shown what resolutions the
Convention would not pass; here is it did pass
Resolved That the Democracy of Ohio do, at the
same time, fully recognize the doctrine held by the
early fathers of the Republic and still maintained
by the Democratic party in all the States that to
each State belongs the right to adopt and modify
its own municipal laws; to regulate its own inter
nal AFFAIRS to hold and maintain equal and in
dependant sovereignty with each and every other
State; and that upon these rights the National leg
islature can neither legislate nor encroach.
Here, then, we find the Democratic Conven-
ton first refusing to adopt the Ordinance of JEFF
ferson as part of the Locofoco faith and next
ting to censure VIM. Allen for voting in favor of
the Proyiso and finally adopting the non-interven-
ton views of Senator Cass. What will Free Soil
ers do now? Will they still adhere to their mis-
taken policy in lending their influence and votes
to the Locofoco party, to defeat the Wings who
have always been right on the Proviso question;
or will they take decided stand against the ac-
ton ofthe Convention and support the party which
favor their views? Above all, what will our Free
Soil friend of the Democrat do? Will he support
Judge Wood without asking questions or will he
first require him to make his views known
Judge Wood now stands as the exponent of the
the resolutions passed by the Convention, and un-
til he repudates them, must be considered the lea
ding champion of the Hunker or pro-slavery party.
EE By reference to our advertising columns,
it will be seen that the qualified voters are notified
e g. J;c Al