The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-23

gress to admit State with such Constitution
And whyl Because it would affect citizens out
or the new State, and bea sanction Of the wrong
Ii would prevent the emigration thither Of con-
scientous men not devoted to the established eli
gion IL is the same thing in respect TO a Consti-
that the latter operates on the property instead OF
the conscience, and on part of the States and
not on all 1t is the same in principle, but not in
degree. The people in erecting government on
public territory with authority, may adopt any
regulations necessary to sef-protection -" the
peaceful possession Of property and method OF
obtaining Justice with security" But they can
go beyond, and adopt regulations not essential
to their own security, which conflict with the
rights Of others, and il they do, Congress cannot
consttutionaly sanction them. In their trans
mutation from territorial or worse condition to
State, this cannot be done, whatever may be
done after their sovereignty is recognized by their
admission as State. Il is true, that Congress-
may do anything by mere force Of numbers, but
when say it cannot be done, Imean that il cam
not be done consistently with the principles of
the Constitution, the purpose and intent Of its
trainers, and of the people who adopted it.
California presents herself, holding in her hand
q constitution violative of your rights, and asks
you to rutify her act Of aggression. Will you
ratify 1t? Will you sanction the ratification by
others, outnumbering you, who, with yourselves,
are vested with power to administer to the common
welfare and not to the welfare of sections. She
has assumed boundaries, which exclude you from
the shores of the Pacific, and your property from
her limits, and she is to come in with all her ex-
travagant pretensons. Texas has been admitted
and she, too, prescribed your boundary and well
comes you with your property. An armed force
Is sent to occupy part OF her territory, and ex-
clude her from her possessions. With military
force on her soil, a proposition is made to pur-
chaseit. Why are the outrages of California to
be sanctioned and the rights of Texas to be
spurned' 1t is a problem OF easy solution. Sla-
very is prohibited by the one and tolerated by the
other. There is nothing then in the Compromise
bill to make it palatable to the South. 1t is UNI
equal, unjust, aggressive and wrong 1t is time
to consider these things most seriousy--to
act. There are men, patriotic men at the
North, who have stood by the Constitution and
have warned the people there, of the danger Of dis
regarding your rights Some Of them have fallen
before the power Of fanaticism, and an organized
fanatcism, which proclaims to its followers that
there is no danger. The apparent apathy of the
South has given them courage and depressed the
efforts Of those who would stand by you. The
line proposed by the Nashville Convention, UP to
which the South will insist upon it's rights, is one
on which the country has acted heretofore. II il
not unreasonable---t is right not subject to con-
stiutiona objection and those who wish to preserve
the Uuion, execute justice and insure domestic
tranquility no matter to what latitude they belong
will rally to it. 1t is time to abandon the petty
conflicts of party and save the Constitution. If
the blessings Of liberty, which God has given us,
are worth preserving, men who appreciate them
must act with resolution. They can only be Sc
cured by maintaining the Constitution and if we
but determine to preserve the Constitution or perish
with it, all will be safe. The Compromise or the
newly named and misnamed adjustment bill"
will destroy you. The plan of admitting Cali
fornia alone will have the same effect. The adj
The spirit of freemen is in you. 1t is inspired
by the Constitution Let it do its work in mod
Grafton, in frmness, adhering to right, morality
and truth, and the God of justice will be with
you.
CHARLES ]. MCDONALD. r.