Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-02-21
VOL. Xiv, NO. ,5---WHOLE NO. 1862.


'''roi' over Ne subject of slavery. But there is
10 g'ahl Ia 'hs constitution, specifically, over a
'Sst variety ol s>biects upon which the powers
ui congress are Questionable. The m1lor in
cl1aes ihe MINOR lh~ general grant of power
comprehends all the passiculars of which that
power consists Inc po"~v OF acquisition by
treaty draws with it the power 70 Govern all the
territory acquired. II there be a mower To ac.
quire, there must be a power to govern: and I
think, therefore, sir, without at present dwelIinn
further upon this part of the subject, tha, from
the Two sources OF authority in Congress to
which have referred may be traced the power
of the government Of the Unl'ed States TO act
upon The Territories in general
And sir, come now to the question of the
extent of the power. | think it is power ade-
quate either to introduce or exclude slavery. [
admit the argument in both its forms of applca-
ton. admit that, il the power exists of excIu-
ding, the power must also exist of Introducing
or lolerating slavery within the Territories
But, sir, have been drawn off so far from the
second resolution, which have nov under con-
sheraton, that have almost lost it out of view.
In order, therefore, that may come back un-
derstandlngly 10 the subject, will again read
1t:
Reso'red, That as slavery does not exist by
law, and Is not likely to be introduced lElo any
of the territory acquired by the Uni;cd States
from the republic of Mexico it is nexpedient
for Congress to provide by law either for lis in
deduction into, or exclusion from, any part Of
the said ierritory and that appropriate territori-
al ov,rnments ought to be est blished by Con-
gre-s in all of the said territory not assigned as
the boundaries Of the proposed State of Cdlior-
MA without the adoption Of any restriction or
condition on the subject of slavery.
The other truth, as | respectfully and with
great Difference submit, is this: | propose to
admit and announce that slavery is not likely to
be introduced INTO any of those Tefritorics.--
Well, sir, Is not that the fact? Is there men,
Der Of this body who doubts ii d? What has oc-
CURED within the last three months In Cali
lornia more than in any other portion of the ce-
ded Territories, was it most probable, if slavery
was adapted to the industrial habits of the pco-
pie that slavery would be intro luced yet, with
IN the last three months, slavery has been exclu-
ded by the vOie-the unanimous yoie-ot the
convention against its introduction "a vote, as
observed on a former occasion, not confined to
men from the non slavehodng States. There
we're men from the s!ayeholding States as well,
who concurred in that decla alton; and that
declaration has been responded to by the people
Of California of all classes, and from all parts Of
The United States and from foreign countries
Wen, sir, if we come down to those mountain
GUS ridges which abound in Mexico, the ma ure
Of its soil, its barrenness. its uaproductive char
acter, everything that we know, everything tina.
We hear Of it, must necessarily lead to the con-
cGsiOn, which have mentioned, that slavery is
not likely to be introduced there.
Veil, sir. ii it be true that by law slavery
docs not exist in the Territories If it is not
likely to be introduced into the Territories ii
you senators here, or majority of you, believe
taesc truths, as am persuaded large majority
OF YOU do-where is the difficulty III your an
nouncing it to the Whole world Why hesitate
Or flller IN the declaration of these iadispu,abie
truths ? Ga the other hand with regard to the
senators from the free States, allow me TO make
4 reference to California in one or two other OBJ
servations. When this feeling within the limits
Of your States was cotton up-when the WI
mot Proviso was d ssemina,ed through them
did you not fear, whatever may have been the
state of the facts did you no. al that time ap
prehend the introduction of slavery there? Iou
did not know much in relation 10 the country O.
It's inhabitants. They were far distant from you
and You were truly apprehenslve that slavery
might be introduced there, and you felt that the
Wilmot Proviso was a necessary measure OF
prevention. It was in this state of want of in
formation that the whole North blazsd up in be-
half of the Wilmot Proviso. 1t was in the ap-
prehension that slavery might be introduced
there that you left your constituents when you
came here; for at the time you let your respec-
ave residences you did not know the fact, which
has reached US since the commencement of the
session of Congress-you did Mt know the fact
that a constitution had been unanimously adopt
ed by the people of California, excluding slave
ry.
Well, now, let me suppose that two years ago
ii had been known in the free STATES that such
constitution had been adopted; let me suppose
that it had been believed that in no other part Of
the territory did slavery exist by law, and that il
could not be introduced except by positive en-
Gctment; suppose that In relation to this whole
SUBJECTIVE solicitude in relation to slavery
the people of the North had supposed that there
was no danger; let also suppose that they
had foreseen the excitement, tie danger, the IL
ritation, the resolutions which have been adopt
ed by the Southern Legislatures, and the mani
ftsiations of the people OF the slave States; let
the suppose all this had been known at the
North at the time the agitation was being excl
ted upon the subject of this " imot Proviso, do
you believe that it would ever have reached tn
height to which il has since risen: Do any Of
YOU believe it !: And if, prior to your departure
from your respective homes, YOU mad had the OP-
portunity of conversing with your constituents
upon this great pleasing, and important fact Of
the adoption OF a constitution excluding SLAYER,
in California, do you not bel eve, senators ami
representatives coming from the free States, that
i
serious, firesiie conversation, your constituents
would not have told YOU to cone here and settle
all these questions without dan ter to the Union
What do you want what do you want you
who reside in the free States. Do You want
that there shall be no slavery introduced into
the Territories acquired by the war with Next
co: Have you not your desire in California
And in ali human probability u will have 1t in
New Mexico also. What more 90 you want?
You have got what is worth more THAI thou
sand Wilmot Proyisos. You have nature on
your sde-facts upon your side and this truth
staring you in the face that tlcfe is no slavery
in those Territories If you are not mad, If you
can elevate yourselves from the struggles of
party to the height of patriots in every sense,
what will you do? Look at the fact as it exists.
You will see that this fact was unknown to the
great majority of the people you will see that
they acted upon one set Of facts, while we have
another set Of facts before us; and we will act
as patriots as responsible men, and as lovers of
lib rIy, and lovers, above all, of tins Uni in
We will act upon this set Of facts that were TN
snown to our constituents, AMI appeal to their
Jus ice and magnanlmiiy TO C incur with us III
this action for peace concord, Ind harmony