The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-20
tn. Consultation u new Ns1's,-rsoasgs.


principle.
The Constitution New Ns1'c'-Psoa~gs
We have received in the columns OF the Ohio States
man. copy OF the constitution recently framed by
the convention at Santa Fe TO be submitted to the in
habtan,s OF New Mexico. We lay before readers
such parts of that instrument deem Of public
interest II will be that the seat OF government
for the proposed Commonwealth fixed the east bank
OF the Rio Grande. in territory claimed by the State of
Texas. and that that constitution framed in such hot haste
by the Santa Fseonvenon, embraces many Thousand
square miles which claimed by the State. Such
aproceeding. no matter by what agency it was accom-
plished. srevolutonay in its character for New Mex
leo belongs to the people Of all the States, and the claim
Of Texas the bank OF the Rio Grsnde is good
against the government of the United States. But even
admitting the claim to be invalid yet it preferred by
Texas long before the period OF annexation. and her
claim has been hitherto maintained and acknowledged by
the federal government and contend that the valid ter
ritorial claims of sovereign State be abogated
annulIed and nvadated either by the Executive of the
United States by the persons who may take up their
residence the public domain, in combination with
those who may take up their residence on the domain
in controversy We repeat that the claim of Texas to the
east bank OF the Rio Grande is good claim until
voluntarily relnquishes it and until Of those
happens is the clear and imperative duty OF the federal
government to protect Texas in her claim, and to
that hostile jurisdiction is established within her al
legged boundaries. If the federal government fails
fuses perform that dutyo if it gives aid and comfort
to these who would violate the rights of Texas to her
own so-then that State, by the supreme law Of self
defence. and of necessity. remanded to her original
right Of self-protecton.
The feature of the Santa Fe constitution relative to
slavery is worthy Of especial consideration. The i'm
preston has gone abroad that aboshes slavery totally
and absolutely. But this mistake The constitution
only prohibits slavery when the person held slave
over twentyone years DID, if male. and over eighteen
years. if female Under those ages respectively slavery
is directly and unequvocay recognised and permitted
But this is not a 1t that the convention, while
it showed no particular attachment. for African slavery
it exists 10 the southern States Of the confederacy,
manifested great regard for that species of white
slavery which exists Mexico under the of PEok
AGE The FIRST section of the first article OF the cons
tuition. under the caption OF pEcLARArIoN RIGHTS"
provides that male person shall be held by law to
serve any person servant slave, apprentice after
he arrives at the age Of twenty years. nor female in
like Manner after she arrives at the age Of eighteen
years. unless they be bound by their consent, after they
orYtpe such age bound by law for the punish
ment OF crimeG This clause places servants and ap-
psentices the footing slaves, and condemns
them ill involuntary servtude, under the ages which
have been mentioned and then it fully and entirely
cognises the system OF peonagehe worst form OF slave
r-by which American freeman may become, to all
intents and purposes the bondman Of Mexican ladrone.
The manner in which that system operates may be fully
understood by the following extract from letter from
Santa Fs. dated June IL, 1850, which find in the
Ohio Statesman:
BY the very frss opportunity, send you the constitu-
Of New Mexico Some excitement exists in the
Try in relation tho coming election provided by IT, The
same people who. lsss than fifteen years ago. cut of the
bead of governor and kicked through the
Oh hs hands, ucked ost the and tore out the
Of other Sta ofcerare voters under It's provisions
You will under the first acedeclaraon OF rights-
that the Of slavery fully recognised whatever
may DO said in the address TO the people TO the
The way il works here IL this, know nblc-
bodied man, wbo eightsen ago. hired by rich
pasiurer On accounting Tor the sheep In his
charge he returned the proper number but In the mixture
OF d0cks tho few had been exchanged for
Others alleged be loss value He taken before
alcalds who assessed damages OF dollars against him.
for which hs became peon; and now bo has faithfully
served bis for eighteen and finds his debt
mp TO Atty doiIars-