Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-27


the United States would not be directly increased dnin
shed by however this vexed question may he decided
The moral and religious obligation then, which binds us 10
the prison door of the captive and to let the oppressed
go ree has application whatever TO the point at ISSUE
But it may be sad that the indirect consequence pro-
hbtng the introduction Of slavery into the Territories will be
hasten the decay and fall Of the institution in the States
where already exists BECAUSE as the field of employment
Tor slave labor in its present locality limited and large por
tons OF 1t diminishing value from exhaustion OF the
SOIL while the number of slaves is constantly nceang they
must, finally if prevented from migrating TO virgin SOIL
come TO be rather burden than profit to their masters who
will then gladly emancpate them. To this it might be
answered, that is very doubtful morality which urges
do indirectly by subterage stealth, that which s admit
have direct power to accomplish namely to abolish
slavery within the States where il exists and has existed
since their formation But let this pass will not
mpugn the casuistry questionable may be, of party
most OF whom certainly governed by high conscientious
motives II is better to meet them their ground, and
ask them if they seriously prepared to maintain that we
under paramount moral obligation to do every thing and
all hazards or here is the pinch Of the dculy which,
according to our fable Judgment may tend however remote
y, to dcounenance the institution of slavery, shorten
the period of its existence If then very grave and far
reaching duty certainly incumbent upon them They must
to what usually called slave
products they must cotton, eat sugar rice,
tobacco and have trade intercourse, direct in
Direct with shareholders. In respect to ak these things,
their motto must be, touch not, taste not handle not Are
they prepared accept this doctrine with all its consequences
we are not TeHnng unOuly NOtnlnS Is naZaIueu Dy
assertion, that very their party E who for con-
scentous motives call for the enactment OF the Wot
provo the universal rejection by them of all slave products,
followed their example surely would be, by the more rigid
opponents of slavery in England would be far more direct
and serious blow to slavery than to nhb its diffusion into
New Mexico and California.
$ But go further. Slavery is net the only evil and
crime OF fearful character that the obligation to oppose
il at all ks extends the which may be sup
posed indirectly remotely encourage promote it. Civil
and wicked How far, in this case bound to look
into the future and to avoid the slightest speech action
which by any possibility, in its urthest results tend TO
knde or to widen the confagration Perchance, in avoid
ing the Scya OF offence, may fall into the Cha-ybds
of another Zeal is the only quality which promotes good
works; the fiery energy which stimulates efforts against
particular evil may wholly the habit Of crcum
specon and watchuness which alone guard against
many others.
We deny then, that there any peculiar sacredness
stngency whatever in the obligation of the Representatives
from the free States TO support the Wlmot provso The
prohibition of slaveryn the Territories stands upon the
ground with other proposed legislative measures it is sup
ported by grave considerations Of utility and political expo
diency. II will affect the freedom the natural and
alienable rights of single human being but it will greatly
affect the future prosperity of New Mexico Utah, and Cali
iornia 1t cpen then, to compromise and final adjustment
upon the principles which have decided many other
contested issues in Congress That logged determinations
which often proceeds much from native obstnacy of dis
position from conscientious adherence TO principle, is just
much out of place here if manifested upon the
question of cheap postage. -,
e Thus far have stated the argument if the prohibi
ton of slavery in the territory recently acquired from Mexico
were still open question favery would unquestonaby
go thher, if Congress should directly prohibit it from
going. Bot this is suppesion and il not true.
Slavery is already shut from this territory, (Texas with
its disputed boundaries exceped) not by the law of Con-
gress, but by the law Of God The physical characteristics
Of the country adverse the existence of African slaves
The soil and the climate will tolerate their presence The
Of Cali
Selves and have made docby they have
,uded the dreaded institution by express enactment in their
constitution Congress may refuse to admit California into
he Unon butt cannot compel the people to undo their own
work. and to admit what they have soemny determined to
exclude. The considerations which have induced the
Caornans to act in this MANNER will unquestionaby lead
he people Utah and New Mexico follow their examples
hey wiz exclude slaves because the nature of their soil and
Innate mus. render slavery unprofable Throughout
his broad region slavery had any than nominal
xistence and it directly abolished by the act Of the
Mexican Government in 1929, which confirmed and
aied by the Mexican Congress in 1857 The habits Of the
eope being thus formed and their ncinatons directed the
migration ther-what there ofit-beng also almost excu
vey from the free Saes there is doubt that the nha
ants when they to egislate for themselves, will
ressy prohibit institution which they to be unprota
e to them in their present circumstances and must appre
end future Cotton, sugar. rice, and coffee, will
o grow in their territory and where these products cannot
raised, slaves must be rather injury than profit TOD
,er masters The country has now been, more than
the property of the United Staes and evidence has
ct been produced that single slave has been carried th
ler Yet the whole South eager plant the peculiar
domestic institution there in order to claim to
territory legislation yet prohibits it, though the
anger at period appeared imminent that Congress would
'on change the famous proyso into law With all this
ducement for shareholders to be speedy in their action
secure that possession which constitutes nine points Of the
not of them has been willing to peril his property
removing slaves to the territory.
Under these circumstances, what the opponents of
10 introduction Of slavery do If they insist upon proh
ting by law, il is morally certain that Congress will ad
urn without accomplishing any thing without admitting
afonia into the Unon without establishing any govern
District OF Columbia and very likely even without pass
the annual appropriation bills which necessary for
q continued existence of own Government No rea-
nabe person, who has watched the proceedings Of Congress
ring the present session. deny that this result
result, Is inevitable II an Insignificant fraction, only
zen members, able delay the organization Of the
ouse for many weeks, it certain that ninety six Repre-
natives and thirty Senators, who from the slave States
prevent any action for the remainder Of the session. We
nothing OF the peril of dsunon and civil war, because
not believe that any such peril yet exists. But the
niger that the session will stormy and dscreda-
close without accomplishing any thing, does exist andi
fearful magnitude. Is.5 .'@ /,
SUPPOSE, them that we are willing to encounter this
nge and to make the sacrifice, however great, which will
suit from the breaking up of the National Legislature with
the law, except the four already passed
we thereby secure main object and gain the prize that
have been contendng for By no means. Inactoa is
st tchdt the South demands. The North asks for egsa
upon the SUBJECT asks that California NAV be admitted
10 the Union, with its constitution that fobids the
s,ence OF slavery The South wishes to postpone or pre-
ut measure which will simply add two votes both in the
nate and the House, To the party Of the free States The
orth asks that slavery may be prevented by law from
,dng into the Territories of Utah and New Mexico the
nth does not wish for law ha: will directly sanction or