The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17
NEW YORK AND SLAVERY-EXTENSION.

Governor Fish, of New York, devotes large
portion of his message to the discussion Of the
Slavery Question. He lays down some sound
principles, and shows ample onsfor resistance
to the extension of Slavery. But, after careful
search. we can find no distinct recognition Of the
pomer and duy of Congress to prohibit by positive
enactment Slavery in the Territories He insists
that the Territories are free--that the Mexicsn
law excluding Slavery thercfrom is still in force
that New York cannot give her assent, and Con-
gress ought not to give its sanction to the extern
sion of Slavery into them-and that California,
having organized State Government, interdict-
ing Slavery, ought to be admitted into the Union
These positions embrace the entire practical
ground taken by Governor Fish, which is thus
defined in his own language:
"The people of California have recently taken
initial steps toward admission into the Union as
sovereign State. By the Constitution which they
have adopted, they have embodied in their organ
ic law the prohibition Of slavery or involuntary
servitude. And petition wal, presented to Con-
gress, during the past winter in behalf of por-
ton of the people of New Mexico asking for the
establishment of Territorial Government, which
should protect them against the institution Of do
mestic Slavery. The voice Of the people of Cal
ifornIa has thus been expressed in favor Of Free
dom and there is little room for doubt that New
Mexico sympathzes in sentiment with Califor
MA Congress cannot, without transgression of
its constitutional powers, establish Slavery with
in this Territory nor can it, without the viola
ton of the principles of Justice and en- utter dis
regard of the wishes of the people, and of the
protection which it is bound to extend over the
territory to which it has acquired the title refuse
admission to the new State, or scountenance or
sanction, in any way, the Introduction Of Slavery
within the territory. And without the sanction
and the assent of Congress, these newly acquired
territories are secured to Freedom, and must re-
main, rs they now are, exempt from the institu-
ton of Slavery.
"The emphatic voice of the Legislature Of the
State of New York, expressed in the resolations
passed at their last two sessions, and the nearly
unanimous sentiment of the people Of our State,
have declared that, under no circumstances, will
their assent be given to the extension Of Slavery
into these territories from which it is now exclu.
dedn
Examine carefully these paragraphs, and you
find no affirmation or recognition of the right and
duty Of Congress to interdict Slavery. The bur-
then of them is that these territories are already
secured to Freedom, and that Congress cannot,
without transgresson of its constitutional pow
ers, sanction or countensnce in any way the in
PRODUCTION of Slavery therein.
Wcll-this is the ground of General Cas-
the ground of Observation-Disclosures more,
nothing less. The Shareholders have no dispute
with Governor Fish, for they do not ask that
Congress sanction or countenance the introduc-
ton of Slavery into the Territories-all they
demand is that it abstain from any positive inter.
diction, and this the Governor does not claim, or
even allude to as right or expedient
The resolutions proposed in the Senate of New
York, by Mr. Geddes, the able and faithful
Wing Senator from Onondsga,n as the Tribune
styles him, are marked by the same fatal defect
The first recognises the duty of Congress to pass
law to suppress the slave trade in the District
Of Columbia. The second recognises the duty,
not of positive Introduction of Slavery in the Ter
ritories, but merely Of resistance to its extension
by all constitutional measures without specifying
whether the Constitution authorizes positive pro-
hibition-and instructs the New York Senators
in CoDgress-not to vote for the Wilmot Proviso,
law prohibiting Slavery in the territories, but
merely to resist all attempts TO yield to Slavery
any part Of the territories, however small and
by whatever pretence Of compromise. Mr. Dick
inson would be greatly relieved by the passage Of
such resolution. He could pursue precisely the
course he has always pursued, without violating
his instructions. He could vote against the in.
PRODUCTION Of the Wilmot Proviso in any terrific.
torial BILL without transgressing one ot or title Of
his instructions In fact this second resolution
my receive the support of every Hunker in the
Legislature, without thereby subjecting himself
to the charge of inconsistency
We regard the resolutions as Intentionally eva
sive, and cannot believe that the majority of the
members viii countenance such an attempt to
impose sound for substance upon the People.
Rssolvsd Gf the Assembly concur,) That as
the Federal Constitution was formed and adapted
expressly TO secure the blessings Of liberty to
the people Of the United States and their poster.
ity, our Senators in Congress are hereby INSTRUCT
Ed and our Representatives are requested to use
their best efforts to procure the passage of laws
that viii enectualy and forever put an end to the
Slave Trade In the District Of Columbia
determination indicated by the Governor,s Mes.
sages aud the resolutions OF the Lesisl.tures q,
various ofthe slsveholdng States. and by the en-
resentatives Of such elected In Congress 10 CT
tend domestic Slavery over the Territory acoui
red by the late treaty Of peace with the Repab.
lie Of Mexico, we feel bound to oppose by all con
stitutional means--snd our Senators In Congress.
are hereby INSTRUCTED and our Representative,
requested to rcest all attempts TO yieP to Slavery
any part of such territory, however small, and BY
whatever prctence Of compromises
Resolred, (f the Assembly concur,) That the
territory lying between the Neuces and the Rio
Grands and that part Of New MEXICO lying cas-,
the Rio Grands 10 the common property Of The
United States, and that our Senator's in Congress
~are INSTRUCTED and our Representatives are re-
quested TO use thsir best efforts to preserve the
same as such common property, and to protect u
from the unfoupded claims Of the State Of Texas
and prohibit the extension over it Of the laws o.
Texas
I. R,soipsd, III the Assembly concur,) That thu
ature Of the State Of New York has learn
81 "a great satisfaction that the people Of Cal