The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-03-02

gress to do so. Such legislation we're work
of supererogation slaves may be carried into
any Territory Of the United States and held
therein in virttIe Of the Constitution, and the
People of a Territory cannot legislate against
it, for that would be against the Constitution,
to which their legislation is made subject by
this Bill"
We risk nothing in saying that this is the
view taken of the question by the so-cslled
Democratic Party of the South. The amend
ment introduced by Mr.. Chase on the 18th
inst, is intended to expose the trap IN the Bill
to exclude all chance for -dealing-to
bring the North and the South to common
understanding of the phraseology employed
We reprint the foregoing ambiguous provision
of the Bill, with the amendment of Mr.. Chase
which we enclose in brackets:
at being the true intent and meaning of
this act not to legslate Slavery into any Terri
tory or State, nor to exclude it therefrom but
to leave the People thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way, subject only to the Consttu-
WIN Va 'n0 OhiVcu o1oSoS uHUef fOS1" "e
People Of the Territory, through their appro-
PIRATE representatives, may, if they see fill, pro-
hibit the existence of Slavery therein.r
This, remember, is distinct affirmation of
the very doctrine preached at the North by all
those so-called Democratic papers and politi-
clans that are laboring to reconcile the North
ern People to the support of the'Bll. How
was it received in the Senate9 IL disconnected
and perplexed the authors of the Bill
Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi, who had support
ed the provision as it stands, disclosed frankly
the Southern view:
al have not in my own judgment and |
trust have not in my action here, yielded the
principle that the people of the Territories, du-
ring their Territorial existence, have the right
to exclude Slavery. haze not intended TO- yield
that point, and do not mean that my action, an
future times, shall be so construed AS am not
prepared with authorities to 60 on upon this
precise point this evening, hope that shall
be allowed about fifteen minutes before the
vote is taken, when | will have the authorities
with me, to give my views upon this point, and
this alone"
This brought Mr.. Cass to his feet who said
"The honorable Senator from Mississippi
Mr.. Brown has touched on one of the main
questions connected with this bill, and which
has not been touched upon before. 1t is very
grave and very important question. The
power of the people of the Territories to legis-
late upon their internal concerns during the
period Of these temporary Governments, is most
clearly given in this BILL if the Constitution per-
mats al.
Mr.. Badger. Certainly.
MIR. Cass. If the Constitution does not per-
NIT, they have not got it.
Mr.. Badger. That is clear
Mr.. Cass. Behind that stands the other Q,teS-
ton, which must be discussed here; and |, for
one am determined that my constituents shall
know my views on the point. Ii is one on
which the honorable Senator from Mississippi
and myself differ and have differed radically,
but on which, as | trust, we differ, and shall
differ, properly. IL is tchether, by virtue of the
Constitution of the United States, there as kind
of motive polrer an Slavery that immediately
spreads ii oUer any Territory, or by virtue Of
achich any slave may be taken to any Territory
| Of the United States soon as 1t as ANNEXED to
the Uaion."
Very we'll. We hope Mr.. Cass will be OK
plicit. Let US have done with antiquities and
lodges. Let the North and South come to a
clear understanding of terms and not try 10
cheat each other. The amendment of Mr..
Chase must be voted upon. 1t asserts the doc
trine which tho Northern advocates of the
Nebraska bill promulgate at tho North, and
of course they should insist upon its adoption.
If adopted the South will spurn the bill; for
it never has acknowledged, .it never will &C.
knowledge the right of Territorial Legisla-
ture to exclude or prohibit Slavery. We tell
the North that it will not be adopted The
effort will be made to avoid direct vote upon
it, probably by laying it upon the table. But
whatever the course devised for getting rid of
it. the failure to adopt it will stamp with false
hood the assertions of the advocates of the
bill in the free States, that it recognises the
right of the People Of a Territory to exclude
Slavery