Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-29
Territorial Power Of Congress.

The following brief statement ol facts
shows the power of Congress to keep the
curse of slavery ont of territories, aud that
the modern doctrine of "Nou- intervention"
is as violative of national honor as it is Of
justice and humanity, Scrvile politicians are
seeking to induce tie people to give up this
vital power and let slavery sweep win they
do nS
lsi. II Congress has the power TO legisate
at all for one territory, land that power is ex-
ercised every day. it surely Inns the power iO
keep slavery ont of il, us tic majority should
govern, and Our fathers coutended Tor aud
praciised this principle.
2. Mr.. Jefferson, in the Congress of the
Confederation, March /, 1854. reported the
memorable provision against slavery MS
early us IVA, in the Virginia Convention hc
said "Thc abolition of domestic slavery is
the greatest object OF desire in these colo
MES"
8. George Washington was in favor Of the
principles of the Proviso, and in his letter to
X. Morris, April IL, 1856, he maintained that
il was "the only proper and cficctual mode
to arrest this blighling evil"
4. In April, 1898, an act was passed estab-
lshng the limits of Georgia and prohibiting
the importation of slaves from the territory.
5. Madison Gerry, aud DIR. franklin ud-
vocatcd this doctrine in Congress, Murci,
1890.
g. In 1901, Hn net was passed dividing
Louisanin into two territories, providing her
government, and prohibiting the impulta-
ton of slaves.
z. The laws of Lonsnnia were extended
over Missouri and Mississippi aud Alabama.
No one then denied the right TO govern our
territories.
s. In the Missouri compromise, this prin-
ciplc was applied 10 all the territory north Of
SO deg. 80 min. Have we not now the same
power?
0. The right to acquire territory nccessnri-
ly grants the power 10 govern it.
10. Congress said to Oregon, your legisla-
lnturc shnll sit but sixty days, aud all your
laws shall be submitted TO us.
IL. Jefferson, Madison and Polk signed
bills with the PrOviso in them, aud nearly |
every democrat from New England voted |
Tor the same principle.
~. Congress has made governments for
Ohio, Iowa, Indiana. Oregon Illinois, Michi-
gan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Utah,
New Mexico, &c.
13 Congress also exercised the power Of
government in restricting this "peciliar in
stiiution" in Florida
H. Admitting the power to lcgisnte for it
Congress can say you shall not, she can say
you may. II, as in the Omnibus measures,
you say you shall not legislale OF the sub |
ject Of African slavery, you can certainly |
prohibit its extension.
15 Territorial governments were cstnb-
lished by the Congress ofihe confederation,
aud by Congress under the present Consli-
tuition and have existed and flonrshcd for
more than 60 years aud tyros and hormbook
all tn lao
consiitutsonnl Miraculous discovery
l6 Gen. Cass once favored this doctrine,
aud does yet in his heart, but he thought 10
reconcile the South 10y his Nicholson letter
nnd the Southern democracy were foolish
enough to go for fcdcralist because he was
n stakeholder, and thus strike al the national
democratic flag Cass said in the Senate,
FEBRUARY 1850" have never roncealednor
denied that was iornly in favor of it,"
How could he be, when ne pockcteh more
Than 100000 in the operation of governing
territories, &c?
IL. The word territory aud territories rs
used in the original charters of the various
colonies, in the articles of the confederation,
deeds OF session aud conienporaneOus lcgls-
laion of Congress, included land, wafer jn-
risdiciion, domain and sovereignty, and the
same meaning is attached to them in our
reniiseS WIN iofelgn powers, ana our fesO-
lutions for admitting Texas.
Ia. Title, by discovery, purchase, conquest,
or IN amy other way, by the nation, conirrs
the sovereignty and Jurisdiction of The soil
and inhabitants, until they make their own
constitution.
But iorhcar to pursue the proof further
This new born 'Non.iuieyenlion,' interpo.
lated At Baltimore into The old democratic
creed, has not, (bad as it isl been lived up
TO. Slavery wns for ever abolished in onr
Mexican possessions; yet the South dcnIand
cd that il be lcgislnted there, aud that they
he permitted to I'LL tup with slaves. But
who will care so little for his political stand
ing IN the community in which he lives, rs
10 deny that Congress Has always governed
our territories
The non-inleryention doctrine, is however,
only applied TO States.