Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-07-25

any well-founded claim to any territory bordering
on the Rio Grande, and in that opinion be was sns-
tanned by many who now denounce, as faithiess to
the South all those who allied in securing to Texas
the undisputed possession of territory large enough
for two States the right to which they had strongly
denied to her No territory has been surrendered
to free-sol unless the people of Utah and New Mex
leo, when they form constitutions and apply for
admission as States, think proper to prohibit sla
very-and for the unrestricted exercise OF this right
we of the South have always contended. Govern
ments were established for these territories in strict
accordance with all the territorial acts heretofore
passed, with the exception of that for Oregon
There is no restriction as to slavery and the
ablest statesmen, and most distinguished jurists
of the South, entertained no doubt that the owners
of slaves may with perfect security take them to
either of these territories regardless OF the Mexican
law.
Had the Southern Senators and Representatives
entertained any doubt on this subject, do you sup
pose that they one and ALL would have voted for the
bill known the Clayton bill which left the ques-
ton to the validity of the Mexican law to be de-
cided by by the Supreme court; satisfied as we all
were, that decision could not fail to sustain the
rights of the South Yet then, as now, advocates
for resistance contented that the law of Mexico
cluded slavery That they did not themselves be-
lieve what they so roundly asserted, is apparent
from the fact that they voted against the amend
ments to the appropriation bill of the same session
which authorized the President to establish terrific
rial governments, saying nothing on the subject Of
slavery; and urgent were they for positive re-
strcton, that they defeating the passage
of the civil and diplomatic appropriation BILL to
which, after the rejection of the Clayton bill, we
had attached the provision.
My only reason for voting in favor of the propo-
sition to repeal the Mexican law, when made at the
last session, was, that knew property to be sensi
tive, and feared that many persons ght be deter
red from removing with their slaves to those terrific
ries, should the discovery of valuable mines
heir tah ffaP of
such men as Clay and Webster were given in favor
of the validity of the Mexican law aboshing slavery
For that reason, and that alone, arould again cote
for its repeal
You say that am claimed by the Union sub
mission party of your county. If the claim set up
rests upon the supposition that advocate for
the formation of third party, either state feder-
al it is most erroneous. When ATTEMPTED at Wash
ington. during the last session, think may safely
say that no one contributed more to defeat the
ment than ] did l have always considered the
good old Democratic party as the true Union party
and that nothing more is required to put down Sec
tional divisions, and preserve peace and harmony,
than to have the government administered in strict
conformity with democratic principles. have ever
been States Rights man of the Jefferson school,
and fearlessly appeal to my whole public life in
proof of the assertion am not, however, prepared
to admit that the States possess either the const-
tutional or the reserved right to secede from the
Union. | consider it to be paramount right, in
herent in every people, to free themselves from op-
preston when the action of the government violates
their essential rights, and becomes too grievous to
be borne and that from the nature of fedora
tive system it would be the most efectual mode to
accomplish that object
have heretofore given publicity to my views as
to the position which conceive the slaveholding
States should occupy in reference to the action Of
the last Congress and | will not extend this long
letter by recapitulatng them, but refer you to my
to the invitation of the citizens of Tuscaloosa
in the month of October last. Nothing has since
occurred to induce to change the opinions therein
at
interest. Faithfully, your friend and obedient
servant, WILLIAM r. KING.
oil CIR