Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-02-21

The on y question is, has Congress
the power to legsate for the Territor-
les. And in expressing my opinion
that Congress has that power, shall
not enter upon an elaborate argument
TO sustain that opinion, bu, in few
words assign some reasons why the
question of power should be acqnies.
ced in. And then consider the very
different question Of the expediency or
propriety Of exercising that power for
the prohibition Of slavery. In the frs,
place, | found my opinion as to the
power of Congress, upon an express
grant by the constitution in these words
The Congress shall have the power to
dispose of, and make all needful rules
and regulations respecting the territory
or other property belonging to the Tn.
tied States" In the second place,
think if the power were at first regar.
ded as doubtful power, the repeated
acts of Congress, approved by different
Presidents, from Gen. Washington, to
Mr.. Polk inclusive, and acquicsccd in
by the people and the States, by which
slavery has been prohibited from the
Territory Of The United States, are
sufficient 10 put at rest, and settle a
doubtful power. Among these acts
need but refer 10 the act Of Congress
of 1889 TO carry into full effect the or.
dinance of 1857. The act for the ad.
mission Of Missouri and the prohibition
of slavery in all the territory acquired
by the purchase of Louisiana north of
the parallel Of latitude of SO l.2 de.
grees--and lastly the act prohibiting
slavery in the territory of Oregon
When to these repeated acts of Con-
gress in which the power was exercis
ed, is added the decision of the Su.
preme Court of the United States,
think the question of power should be
considered as settled.
In that decision the Chief Justice af.
ter noticing the power of Congress to
acquire territory by conquest or treaty
says: "In the mean time Florida con.
tinues TO be territory of the Uni
ted States governed by virtue of that
clause Of the constitution which EN-.
powers Congress to make all needful
rules and regulations respecting the ter,
ritory or other property belonging tc
the United States.
Perhaps the power of governing q
territory belonging to the United States
which has not by becoming a State &C
quired the means of selfgovernment
may result necessarily from the fact,
that it is not within the jurisdiction o.
any particular State, and is within the
power and jurisdiction Of the Unitec
States, The right TO govern may b.
the inevitable consequence Of the righ
to acquire Territory. Whichever ma,
be the source whence the power is de
rived the possession Of 1t is unquestion
ed.'
But sir while l admit the power o
Congress 10 legislate for the Territor
les hold that it would be highly mex
pedient, unwise and improper for Con
gress 10 pass any act prohibiting slave
ry within them. And do not hesita,
to say that while the application Of tn
Wilmot Proviso TO the Territories o
! California and New Mexico, accordin!
10 the admission of its friends wouI
have no practical effect, it is aitende,
with more fearful porlents for evil tha
any question ever presented, in II
American Congress, and will receive m
active and decided opposition in what
ever form it may be presented, and Gn tn
} absence Of satisfactory compromis
S between the opposing sections Of lh
! Union) without reference TO the partic
: ular Territory TO which il may be pre-
s posed TO apply it. California and Ne,
Mexico comprise all the Territory be
longing 10 the United States in whic
|, slavery has not been prohibited by ac