The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-07
NEW YORK AND THE TERRITORIAL QUESTION.

We have published all, or nearly all, the reso-
lutons of instruction on the Slavery question
which have been proposed in the State Legisla-
ture-making very little comment upon them,
but watching with solicitude the approaches to
conclusion.
We will not permit ourselves to doubt that the
instruction which New York will send 10 Wash
ington will be every way worthy of her free peo-
pie. After politicians have exhausted themselves
in defining their positions, and refining upon
questions Of power, we trust that the State VIII
be permitted to be heard. What the sentiment
of New York is no intelligent man doubts. Ii
has been expressed for series Of years in this
form of legislative instructions and in the decla-
rations of Conventions Of all parties IL is to be
found in every community, in every school-house,
in every church, and at every Preside. Ii is--ab-
horrence of the institution of slavery hostility to
its extension, and the determination to free the
Government from all responsibility for its exist
ence Legislative resolutions that fall short of
this obstructive irresolutions rather, in which
treason at Washington will find its encourage
ment) may express the sentiments of individu-
als the theories of politicians, the necessities Of
party leaders, but by every word that they fail
to convey this feeling Of adherence to slavery,
they misrepresent and betray the sentiment of
the people
Has any such change come over the spirit of
Legislature must seek to conform the instruc-
tions to Representatives to new phase of public
sentiment? Ii so, what is it. and what has caused
it? Has the South withdrawn its claim to make
the National Government the propagandist of
slaveryl Has il manifested forbearance on this
question? Has it been conciliatory upon others?
Has it exhibited such good faith to party obliga-
tions as to win the sordid hearts of politicians
Does it manifest such devotion to the common
al
Does it entrench itself behind the Constitution,
and defend traditional rights On the contrary,
it is as aggressive and dishonest in its course,
it is selfish and base in it's object. 1t has placed
a STAKEHOLDER in the Executive chair, at the hazard
of the prostration of the party in whose name he
was nominated IL has got command of the Sen
ete committees by disheeese. cap,hinalion. Ii has
The Speakership of the House by one trick, the
Clerk by aac.t.- - leaks 0f trssS9:. =. aese
not seriously contemplate. 1t no longer conceals
that its object is to establish new slave market,
and carry on the slave trade to the Pacific. Ii
cares not for the Constitution, and will oppose
the admission of California free, though her ap-
plcation is sustained by all the authority of pre-
cedent and by the letter and spirit of the Fede-
raj Compact
The voice of New York, uttered in former
years, has been responded to by the people of the
new Territories California has prohibited sla-
very She has adopted Constitution, nearly
the literal transcript of her own. Three-fourths
of her new population are from our own State.
Her business relations are with us. When, there
fore, New York lifts her voice in her behalf, she
obeys but the instinct of q parent defending its
child. That voice, too, has already proved potent
for defence for We have the admission of slave
propagandist in Congress, that the agitation of
this question alone has prevented the colonial
ton of the new soil with slaves. All the circum-
stances that have interviewed since the last ex-
preston of this State, have tended to animate
the people with deeper interest and frmer pur-
pose.
A party necessity may, perhaps, constrain the
action of the supporters of the Administration,
hut it does not reach beyond them, and cannot
control all of them. The President elected upon
the single principle Of obeying the action of Con-
gress, has commenced by advising II to surrender
its powers, and to avoid the discussion of this
subject A portion of the Wing press seconds
the dictation. They say that upon sober second
thought" their party is opposed to instructions,
and in favor Of sustaining the President. IL is
easy to see what is at the bottom OF this sober"
rectifcation of Wing principles! The People
will understand it. Indeed, the parties to this
deserton know that they are choosing between
God and Mammon, between the People and Pow
err Upon them be the responsibility! If the
sentiment of New York is to be betrayed, let it
be done by the supporters of the slaveholding
Executive, and the recipients Of his patronage
For any one else to do so would be gratuitous
baseness or extreme folly.