Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18
OPINION OF THE NORTHERN DEMOCRACY ON
. SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES.

AS attempts are now making to enlist the De-
mocracy of the non-saveholding States in favor of
the novel doctrine which denies to Congress all con-
troll the subject of slavery in the Territories of
the United States, the following extract from an
ably written article in the Boston Traveller will no
doubt be acceptable to our readers:
49, EXTRACTS. ~: e.. ~.
The editor Of the Boston Post in 1S49 was the ndiyi-
dual who is the naval officer of this port At that
time the Democratic party of Massachusetts were smart
ing under defeat The Mexican war had left upon our
hands the settlement of the various questions arising
from the annexation of vast territory. Among these
questions not the least embarrassing was the slavery
questionable question whether not we, as Massachu-
sets Democrats should give votes or in
uence in favor of the extension of slavery territory
then free The Democratic State Convention OF that year
was very large one and met at Springfield. The Hon
B. +. HALLgTr, United States District Attorney Of
fered series of resolutions, among which were the fol-
lowing:
/ Resolved That we are opposed to slavery in every
form and color and in favor of freedom and free soil
wherever nan lives throughout Gods heritage.
= Rssolved, That by common law and common sense,
we'll as by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the
United States, lin Prigg Pennsylvania, 16 Peters
''tts sats Of sarey mersmuroo regulation founded
upon ohd 1'"ted 10 the the territorial lar :; that is,
| the limits Of the State creating it.
g. Rtsored therefore, That as slavery does not exist by
any municipal law in the territories and Congress
has power 10 institute it, the local laws Of any State
authorizing slavery be transported there nor
very exist there but BY local law of the terrific
res, sanconed By Congress- or the legislative act of
State in its sovereign capacity.
t. Rssolred That we opposed to the extension of
slavery free territories and in favor of the exercise Of
all constitutional and necessary to restrict it to the
limits within which it does may exist by the local laws
| Of the States but
B. Resotra That these sentiments so universal at
the North to belong party being held in common
by all north Of sectional ne while thew are repu
dated by most south of that line and therefore
| not be made national party test.
These resolutions containing some abolition sent
meu offered 10 this large Convention Of the Demo
Gratis Of this State GOO to 100 being present. The
Editor CT the Post member. Was he sup to the
occasion q? or had his "mmovabie convictions set his
face like flint against the extension of slavery beyond
the limits Of the territorial law" HI did not oppose
these resolutions They passed unanimously, and stand
upon record the opinion of the Democracy of this
State in relation that question The Boston Post ap
proved the action Of this Convention and pronounced il
" absurd" that STAKEHOLDER had the right to carry
slavery into the free territories The Post continued &c
do what it could antslavery sentiment ate,
! this Convention before. November 2lst ls49 the
Post says:
I cit IS ruuSrei that certain members of Congress will
oppose the admission Of California State into the
CEon b.cou sc refuses 10 tolerate sLcuHV! II there
be any SO ma4 they will destroy themselves for such
course would be 10 direct contravenon Of the
Of the states and Of the rights GUARANTEED to them by the
Constitution Il would establish precedent for tier
ference with State rights which would remove the secur
y upon which the slayeholding States rely for thei,
safety upon the slavery question: and would be denounc
ed by every friend Of the Union and supporter of the
Constitution ...#s.