The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-16

the legislation CT $780," Slavery "in the
States and Territories" was not tho question
under consideration, or the question settled.
The only Non-lntervention policy adopted
! applied in express terms exclusively to Utah
and New Mcrico, and to them only, in the act
of becoming States, not to their Territorial con-
dition. The language is too plain to be mis-
taken.
That i0hen admitted as State the said
Territory Or any portion of the same, shall be
received into the Union with or without Sla-
very, as their Constitutions may prescribe at
the time Of admission
This provision is Inserted in each of the
Bills for the formation of Territorial Govern
ments in New Mexico and Utah, and it is clear
that it restricts the Non-Intervention principle
to these Territories and to these only in the act
of becoming States. This, the Washington
Union, in its elaborate editorial of January
Goth, expressly declared, as follows:
at will be remembered, that the Bill pro-
posed to be amended by Mr.. Douglas re-enacts
and applies to Nebraska, the clause ON Slavery
adopted in the Compromise of 1850. That
clause is silent as 10 the question e7f-7ce rep
! during HE TERRITORIAL CONDITION or THE
INHABITANTS, but expressly recognises and as
serts their right to enter into the Union as a
State either with or without the institution Of
Slavery, as they may determine in their Consti-
tutions' ~
In the face of all this, thc.aniendpient now
proposed BY Mr.. Douglcs aud Us friesT avtE.
that "thA principle IF Non inyesysahion 6y
Congress with Slavery in che States ar'a Terri4
tories" was recognised by the Legislation of
! 1892
| 1t is utterly untrue, and it is difficult to see
how any Senator, with decent regard for
truth, can, on moments reflection, vote for it,
AS an incidental consideration, showing the
strange obliviousness of Senator's we may re-,
mind the reader that they have entirely over
looked the fact that one of the acts in the legis
lation of 1850, which is averred in their
amendment to have recognised the principle
of Nom Intervention by Congress acith Slarery
an the States and Territories, was distinct act
of Intervention with Slavery in the District Of
Columbia, prohibiting the Importation of slaves
into this Territory, either for sale or to be
placed in depot for transportation to the
South. This act was denounced by a large
portion Of Southern men as Intervention of a
most miscellaneous kind; and yet, we doubt not
they are ready now to vote that the principle
Of Non. Intervention was recognised by the
Legislation of 1850
| We have been told of the high sense of hon.
or in the South! Pub 1t contains about as
much of that quality as the North, and neither
section has enough of it to save its politics
from putrescence.
The amendment of Mr. Douglas is drawn
out with circumlocutory phrase which may
mean one thing at the North and quite an
other at the South. 1t declares that the true
meaning and intent of the act is, not to legis-
late Slavery into any Territory State, or to
exclude it, but to leave the people thereof per-
fectly free to form and regulate their institu-
tons in their own way, subject only TO the Con-
stitution of the United States.
A convenient corner for political tricksters
North and South At the North, the good
people will be called upon to admire the lib
crafty and wisdom of this provision. How
truly Democratic The People of Territory
are to be allowed to govern themselves. Of
course, in Nebraska, they will not desire Sla-
very, and this provision secures to them the
Guiding it. 1.-THE South, the Shareholders will
be told, You have sriumphed at last Alaw,
standing on the Statute Book thirty three years,
and always regarded as irrepealable, is blotted
out. You can now take your slaves into any
part of Nebraska, where you can turn them to
good account The People, to be sure, are en-
powered to form their own institutions, and
regulate them in their own way, ~subject
however, as you perceive, to the Constitution of
| The United States" which, We all know, rec
oguiscs Slavery, and will prevent any inter
ference with our rights of property.
We have said enough to prevent the I'M
wary, but honess-minded, from being deceived
AS to the dishonest and designing they are
beyond the reach of argument.