The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-13
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, JUNE 10, 1850.
NON.lNTERVENTIDN


We call attention to the report on our first
page Of the debate in the Senate on the policy Of
Non-Intervention II will he observed that there
is wide difference of opinion concerning the
doctrine between General Cass and his Northern
followers on one side, and his Southern friends
on the other The General holds that the Con-
stituiion confers no power on Congress to insti-
tute Territorial Governments-but, that as such
Governments are necessary, Congress derives the
right to frame them from 4" a moral necessity ~
that this right should therefore be exercised only
so far as moral necessity" may demand, and con-
sequently is exhausted in the act of giving the
Territories forms of government that the right
Of legislation on their own concerns belongs to
tbe People thereof; that, should Congress- fail to
give them forms of Government, their power OF
iegislatng for themselves would still be COM
plete--and that this power embraces in its scope
the whole question Of Slavery as it affects them
selves
This doctrine was advocated by the Northern
supporters of Gen Cass at the late Presidential
canvass, as the only true Democratic national doc
trine. On the platform Of policy it contemplated,
all sections might harmonize While it was calcu-
lated to still agitation and maintain the harmony
of the Republic, it would accomplish all that the
Wilmot Proyiso sought to effect. The People of
the Territories were opposed to Slavery; and II
left to themselves would take good care to exclude
il: besides, the Mexican laws prohibiting slavery,
were in force. and, under the Non-Intervention
10
Now. we ask our Democratic readers to exam
inc the debate reported on our first page Let
them compare notes with their Southern friends
and see how delightfully."- they agree. Mr.. King
of Alabama commenting on the remarks of Mr.
Douglas Of Illinois, urging the policy Of Non-in-
charges him with delivering Free Soil, Wilmot
Proviso speech Mr. Davis of Mississippi kindly
informs General Cass that he was supported at
the South as the less of two evils, between which
a choice had to be made. The doctrine of Nom
Intervention, set forth by the standard-bearer of
the Democracy in ls4S, is characterized as the
wilmot Proviso in disguise-as the worst, most
offensive form of slavery restriction
What, then, do these Southern Democrats mean
by Non-lntervention in relation TO Slavery
Non-P Prohibition, but not Non-Protection. They
discard with contempt the dogma that Congress
has no authority to egislate for the Territories.
They hold that the moment Territorial Govern
ment is established by that body, the Constitu-
ton of the United States is extended by implca-
ton over the Territory, abrogating any local laws
which may prohibit slavery that it is the SOL
emn duty of Congress to establish such Gov
eminent, and to refrain from interfering to pre-
vent the extension of slavery. They demand
such Intervention by Congress, as, according to
their view of the Constitution, extends Slavery,
and protest against Intervention by that body
against this extension. This is their theory of
Non-Interventon.
AS to the doctrine that the People of the Ter
rtories have a right to legislate for themselves,
they scout it with dersion. That few adven-
turers in Territories belonging to the United
States have the right to pass laws dvesting of the
character of property whatever any of the States
--s----~--------~------->---
moment. 1t is the duty of Congress to forbid
such legislation-.o restrain the Territorial Le-
gisature from prohibiting Slavery, and also from
establishing it, because if it may establish, it
may prohibit it. But while the Legislature is TO
be forbidden to prohibit, it is violation of the
constitutional rights of the South to forbid it to
prOteo, Slavery
The bill reported by the Committee of Thir-
teen proposed to prevent the Territorial Legis-
lature from passing any law III respect 10 sl0-
peryn This clause was met with the most deter
mined resistance by the Democrats of the South.
They never would vote for it. What make an
invidous distinction between slave property and
other species of property! Prevent the Terrific
rial Legislature from passing laws to protect prop
erty in slaves A monstrous indignity
The clause gave rise to debate which ran
through two or three weeks; and, at last, the
Southern Democrats accomplished their object
by the aid of three men from the free States, two
of them Democrats they succeeded in substitute
ing for the words IA respect 10 siopery" the words
establishing or prohibiting slau@y'-thus leaving
the Legislature at liberty to pass laws to enforce
the claims of Shareholders and keep slaves in sub.
lection, should they be introduced in the Terrific
ries This change was made on the demand Of
the Southern Democrats every one of whom, ex-
cept Benton, voted for it,
We can now contrast Northern and Southern
Non.lnterventon-or rather, the Non Interven-
ton of General Cass and that of Jefferson Davis
Nao. Iof. nor y,s.r