The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14

Atcnlson anu OSyer IRE the only slavenolu-
ing members that voted against the motion
and they were constrained to do 30 by the po-
litical sentiment of their State. Davis Of Mas
Phelps Of Vermont, Fish of New
York, Smith of Connecticut, and Brodhead of
Pennsylvania, acting, we apprehend, from
jealousy of the West, were the only men,
bers from free States on the same side. The
motion was a Pro-Slavery motion, and was sus-
tanned by the slaveholding Interest Messrs
Hale, Chase, Sumner, and Seward, would Of
course have voted in the negative, had they
been present. These Senators, if we mistake
not, during the last hours of the session, were
engaged in some of the committee rooms, on
Senate business.
We see that tho New York Express, whose
editor voted against the bill in the House,
would make the impression that the organiza-
ton of the Territory will open the way for
Slavery. All we have to say is, emigrants will
go there, whether the Territory be organized
or not; and if they go there with slaves, there
will be better chance for deciding the ques-
ton under Territorial Government than with
out one. A positive law, prohibiting the in
PRODUCTION of Slavery is the fundamental law
of that territory, and it could be enforced by
Federal Court, but may be disregarded without
one.
What we need then, is, Government, with
such officers as will see that the fundamental
law be enforced. 1t will be the duty of the
Administration to appoint such officers: hence
the necessity of having an Administration inn
bued with the spirit of Freedom. Can we
trust the present Administration The record
of General Pierce, the sentiments of his In
augural, and the antecedents of the members
of his Cabinet furnish small ground Of hope to
the friends of Liberty. We distrust the Adj
ministration. So far from making its Terrific
rial appointments with view to protect the
cause of Freedom in the Territories, we fear
that they are dictated by On opposite motive.
What means the new policy of entirely revolu-
tionizing the Courts of the Territories Are
the People aware that the twelve Judges of the
four Territories--Utah, New Mexico, Oregon,
and Minnesota-have been turned out and
twelve new Judges appointed by the Pierce
Administration This is a new thing in our
politics. A similar movement on limited
scale, by General Jackson excited profound
sensation in his days Mr.. Fillmore, we believe,
in single case, in peculiar circumstances, ex.
ercised the same power, but the act was strong,
ly opposed. Now, however, after brief dis
cussion in the Senate, the principle is settled
by on overwhelming vote, that the President
may, at his pleasure, without assigning any
reason, displace the Territorial Judges, although
unaccused of mal-conduct or incompetency and
fill their places with the creatures of his will
If this be not Despotism, what is? If this be
not centralizing power, what is? If this be
not augmenting executive patronage, and de-
grading courts into mere political or party en-
gines what is :?
With single exception, we have heard nj
word of complaint against the twelve Judges
removed in the four Territories; but this Dem
ocratic President coolly and without cause
turns them all out, and puts in their place
men to answer purpose. And what IS tina
purpose The condition of New Mexico anC
Utah in relation to Slavery is undetermined
except by Mexican law. Is it the purpose o
the Administration to have Territorial Court
that will decide, in accordance with the view
Of jefferson Davis, member Of the Cabinet
that the Mexican law prob hjting Slavery il
null and void? Is thisthe reason why James
J. Davenport of Mississippi, has been appoint
ed Chief Judge of New Mexicol So far a
we can learn, the officers and judges ap
pointed by the new Administration in Utah
New Mexico, Minnesota. Oregon, and Wash
ington, are generally from the South, or sue
Northern men as have marked themselves b
their loyalty to the South.
We wish to see Nebraska organized bu
what has already taken place authorizes tn
belief that its judges and Executive officers viii
be selected with view to give Slavery chanc
to obtain foothold in the Territory. For thi
reason, notwithstanding we know that the con
dition of the Territory is fixed by the Missouri
Compromise we hope that the friends of, Free
dom ih the next Congre will insist upon thu
incorporation Of . Sfause affirming this fact ex
pressly) into every bill that may be introduced
for the organization Territorial Govern
.ment. We were willing to waive this point a.
the late session, as our friends were certain the
territory was already secured by law against
Slavery, and were confident that the bill would
pass the Senate. We did not believe it would
pass that body, for such an event would be un
precedented but we said nothing publicly, de
lsirous of throwing no obstacles in the way
Of the experiment 1t failed-failed through
the opposition of the Slayeholding Interest. Il
will encounter the same opposition hereafter
and the men of the North and West, who are
determined to put it through, would do well t.
make clean business of it. Let them leay,
no room for doubt. IL as we believe-but a,
many Shareholders deny, and as the Judges ap
pointed by Mr.. Pierce may deny, Slavery i,
excluded and will be excluded by the Missouri
NoupIOihisc-lct kuo Iuce Dc dihTiAcu III JHc Oil
organizing Territorial Government Let the
will of Congress be 30 distinctly expressed thai
no court constituted to administer its laws
shall have pretext for doubling Let the
people look TO it and see that their Represent
atiyes do not betray the cause of Free Institu
tons. We tell them there is danger, great
danger, to DO apprehended from an Admins
tration coming into power on such principles
under such auspices, upon such pledges, as
characterize this Administration.
q lie removed, we believe, a Territorial Judge in
Arkansas but it was after great hesitation although
the act organizing the Government authorized such
procedure.
IowA.--The State election, April 8, resulted
as follows: The only State officers balloted for
were Commissioner and q Register for the
Das Mo;nao River Improvement Eov thesa