Washington sentinel., 1854-02-03

the convention that framed the federal Consti-
tuition, it will be seen that the very clause under
4 consideration was adopted not only without dis
/ cussion, but without dissenting voice. Are not
4 the territories Of the United Statesithe common
property of all the States Have not all acom-
mon interest in them? Are they not designed BY
the Constitution to be held, used, and enjoyed by
all the people of the Union? Has the citizen off
free State the right to remove there, and take
with him his implements of trade, his focks
and herds? You answer it is his property
and be has an undeniabley right to take
them with him, and possess and enjoy them.
Does Congress possess the power to prohibit
him from so doing? The very question pre-
sents the absurdity Of such an idea. Are not
| my negroes as completely my property, under
the Constitution, as his implements Of trade
and focks and herds are his? Were not ne
groes, hundreds Of years ago, brought to this
| country as property? Have they not been so
held and regarded ever since? Did not the
! trainers of the Constitution recognise and treat
them as property? Did not the ninth section
OF the first article of the Constitution expressly
prohibit Congress from passing any law to
impinge the practice, or prevent the citizens of
any of the States from importing slaves into the
country for series of years, and thus actually
permit the African slave trade, in its most hid.
eous features, and with all its denominations, as
they are termed, to be carried on under the
sanction of the government itself and the pro-
tection Of our flag? Ten dollars head was
charged by the government for every slave i'm
ported And another section Of the Constitu-
tion makes provision for the pursuit and recov.
cry of every slave who might run away, let
him be found in any portion of the whole Uni
ted States. Assured that the government
would guarantee them security and safety in
the possession and enjoyment of their property
wherever it had jurisdiction, the citizens of the
south honest themselves, and consequently un-
suspecting, invested millions Of dollars in
slaves. And now these political economists
claim the sanction Of that instrument in yield.
ing to Congress the right to pass laws to pro-
hibit us from taking our property with Us into
the territories belonging to us as we'll as to the
citizens of other States. Mr.. Madison, one Of
| the abest and soundest of the founders of the
| Constitution, in a letter to Mr.. Monroe, then
President Of the United States, dated the 23d
Of February, 1920, speaking Of whether ter
ritorial restriction be an assumption of legisla-
tive power" says: For myself, must own
that hare al,cays leaned to the belief that the
restriction acas not within the true scope of the
Constitution" As we have no territory aoaC
not disposed of by the compromise, and being
willing to abide by that compromise, deem it
| unnecessary to detain you longer on this ques-
| tion and shall dismiss it with few remarks
| personal to ourselves.
Turning from these unpleasant scenes and
| hoping for the best, let us for few moments
anticipate the promised future Of this great
government, provided factionists, fanatics, and
calculating politicians be frustrated in their
designs, disappointed in their expectations,
and taught to know that public justice, though
slow,is certain in its rewards and punishments.
Although the evils complained of have an
noyed and to some extent cramped our ener-
gies, checked our progress, and weighed down
our spirits, there is much in the memorable
past to cheer and encourage us, whilst to the
philosophic mind the glorious future opens up
new prospects, inspires bright expectations,
and stimulates us to patience and perseverance.
| Twenty years ago Missouri was the frontier Of
civilization on the western continent, and it is
but little more than that since the Indian pad
| died his canoe upon our our water-courses,
and "chanted his war song in the deep shade
of our magnificent forests" In less than TWEEN
ty years from this, the axe, the plough, the saw
the anvil, and the loom will subdue and peo
pie the vast valley yet lying west of us; and the
very peaks Of the mountains Of the Pacific
coast will exhibit evidences Of the courageous
daring and progressive spirit of our hardy sons.
The developments of science and the general
march of mind are bringing US forward as.with
| lightning speed. The stream of population is
1 speeding vast multitudes from the Atlantic
slope, through the western valley and the re-
/ gions of the Pacific He who desires to cal.
culate our future must study our character.
We are the pure progenitors of an indomita-
| bic race, who for our laws our religion, and
our rights will die at the stake. These senti.
ments are deeply rooted in our hearts, and, as
| characteristics, are engrayen upon our institu-
tions. Wherever the American goes, he car
ries with him the great and irresistible spirit Of
progressive civilization. Upon the hills and
the valleys, from the tropics to the torrid zone,
monuments Of his enterprise and skill are seen.
With courage in his heart, a well-stored mind
and athletic limbs, he pushes his way forward.
| Beacon-lights, breakwaters, canals, turnpikes,
railroads and telegraphs, designate our skill;
churches, schools, and colleges, attest our mo-
rality; whilst our incalculable wealth, accumu-
lating population, increasing commerce, and
great national prowess make our flag respected
in every sea, and cause our name and our in
stitutions to be loved and admired throughout
the habitations of civilized men. Still onward
is our course. The rushing tide of progress
drives us forward and we cannot resist it if we
would. That equality, fraternity, and State
sovereignty, which are the true geni of our
wealth and the Aladin's lamp Of our social
system, are also the harbingers of our future
destiny.
You and ], Mr.. President may not witness
it, but there are those in this audience who will
live to see the day when the population of this
country will number more than one hundred
millions Of souls. Think You it will then be linn
tied to its present boundaries, and that its great
march will be stayed by the ropes of sand that
abolition fanaticism and short-sighted political
theorists would draw around it? As well might
the attempt be made to seize the fry light
nings as they fly, or silence the roaring thun-
ders as they reverberate through the skies.
Our population will spread, and, as it spreads,
our institutions will be established Territory
after Territory, State after State, will be added
to the Union; and the blessings of republican
government, like the sun in the armament,
will shed their peaceful aud happy influence
on millions of human beings who are now
shrouded in darkness and enduring the mise
1 L.. n.