Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-06-14

SIAvERY m CALIFoRNIA-PRosPEcT EsTAB-
LIsHMENT. Two years ago law was passed ny the
California Legislature granting one gear to the own
ers of slaves carried into the territory previous TO
the adoption of the Constitution to remove tae Inn
itssof the State. Last year the provisions OF TINS
law extended tscelce months longer We learn
by the late California papers that bill has just
passed the Assembly, by vote OF ~ to ziscOeesn-
uing the same lao an force until 1850 The Prov
sons of this bill embrace slaves who have been car
red to California since the adoption OF her consul
tuition, as well as those who were there previously
The large majority by WHICH it passed. and the opn-
ions advanced during the discussion indicate more
acora6le state Of sentiment in regard to the raghtS
of tile Stockholders in California than supposed
eristed Her Constitution declares neither slavery
involuntary servitude unless for the punishment
of crimes shall ever be tolerated in this State. "A
number of members friendly to the objects of the
bill and favorable to the institution of slavery voted
against it. because they believed it to be contrary to
the clause. Thus member (Mr. Ashly) said: HE
willing and anxious to division OF this State
he believed it the desire of the people he repre-
sented, and, when divided, he would offer no serl-
objections to the introduction of slaves in the
lower portion; he did not know but he would buy
himself if he had the means. But he could NJ t
vote for this bill, because he thought it was uncon-
stitutional. People under this law could continue
owning slaves in this State as long they pleased
expecting to have the law extended from year to
year.
Mr. Tallmadge said "He was opposed to the
BILL and should vote against it, because he believed
it to be violation of spirit and meaning of the Con-
stuon, if not of its letter The eighteenth section
of article first of Constitution, declares that
"neither slavery involuntary servitude, unless
for the punishment of Grimes shall ever be tolerated
in this State" Now he said, while bound by my
oath to uphold every feature of the Constitution in
its literal meaning letter and spirit, l yet no
anti-savery propagandst, but wish, with the pa
triot John Mitchell, that if 1 lived in Alabama, |
owned plantation, and that plantation well stocked
with negroes ] hate and abhor abolition in every
form, feature and color but am bound by my oath
to support the Constitution of this State; am SOL
emily to do this. 1t says that slavery shall not
be tolerated here yet the object of this BILL as un
derstand it, is to extend the institution of slavery
for another year in defiance ofthe clause Of the Con-
stitution.'
Other members entertaining similar views in regad
to slavery-detestng abolition in 'evcry form, fea
ture and color" voted against it, in conformity to
their oaths to support the Constitution, notwith-
ers; AMI yet it passed by decided majority, show
ing that the pro slavery feeling is much stronger
than the vote cast for the measure.
If such a sentiment is developed in view of all the
circumstances which have combined to exclude
Southern from settling in California, and the de-
velopment in that region of wholesome public sem
timent concerning slavery, what might have been
expected if the Territory had been permitted to
main open to occupation by people from every
ton of the Union, without regard to the kind of
property they may have possessed? No reasonable
doubt that California acould this moment
hare been STARE State Her mineral resources would
have secured such condition for her beyond all
question. As it is the wants of the people and the
demands of nature working a salutary change
in public sentiment; and we are not without hope,
that despite the interference of the federal authori
ties in in 1S49 and so, to the adoption of
anti-slavery Constitution at the hands of the
wing adventures who first entered the territory
notwithstanding the ini9uitous and deep-lad plot of
the aboitonists, and the base desertion of South
ern members of Congress-the South aoiU be admit
ed to an equal participation an the benefits the Pa
cite region. Nississippian.