The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-06-02
slaves in California.

slaves CaE11OfU1As
Two years ago a law was passed by the Cali
fornia Legislature, granting one year to the owners
Of slaves carried into the territory previous to the
adoption OF the Constitution, TO remove them be-
vond the limits of the State. Last yea: the pro-
visions of this law was extended twelve months
longer. We learn, by the late California papers,
that bill has Just passed the Assembly by Il vote
33 to 2l continuing the same law in force until
1855. The provisions of this bill embrace slaves
who have been carried to California since the adop-
ton of her Constitution, well as those who were
there previously. The large majority by which
it passed, and the opinions advanced during the
discussion, indicate more favorable state of SEN
timent in regard 70 the rights Of slave holders in
California that we supposed existed. Her Con-
stltution declares "nelher slavery nor involuntary
servitude, unless for the punishment Of crimes,
shall ever be tolerated in this State" A number
of members friendly 10 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. Ashly0 said "He
was willing and anxious to see a division Of this
State he believed it was the desire Of the people
he represented, and when divided he would offer
serious objections to the introduction of slaves
in the southern portion he did not know but he
would buy one himself if he had the means. But
he could not vote for this bill, because he thought
it unconstitutional. People under this law
could continue owning slaves in this Slate os long
as they pleased, expecting to have the law extended
from year TO year.
A Mr.. Tallmadge said: "IIe was opposed to
the bill, and should against It, because be be-
lieyed it to be violation OF the spirit and aiming
OF the Constitution, il not Of its letter. The Ell Oh
teenh section of article first Of our Constitution,
declares that neither slavery nor involuntary
scrvtude, unless for the punishment of crimes
shall no tcIo otoIi |, 30 h,,ro
while bound by my oath uphold every feature
of the Constitution in its literal meaning, letter and
spirit. l am yet no anli-slavery propagand!st, but
can wish, with the Patriot John Mitchell that if
lived In Alabama and owned a plantation, and hat
plantation we'll stocked with negroes. | hate and
abhOr abolition in every form, feature and color,
but bound by my oath to support the Con-
suon OF this State; am soIemnIy sworn TO do
this. 1t says that slavery shall not be tolerated
here; yet the object of this bill, as understand
it, is to extend the institution OF slavery for another
year defiance Of the clause Of the Constitution"
Other members entertaining similar views IN
regard to slavery-detestng abolition 'severy
form, feature and color" voted against it, in
formity to their oaths to support the Constitution,
notwithstanding it was intended for the benefit OF
shareholders; and YET it passed by decided ma
jority, showing that the pro-sIovery feeling is much
stronger than the vote cast for the n,tasure.
If such sentiment is developed in view of all
the circumstances which have combined to exclude
southern from settling in California, and the
development in that region of wholesome public
sentiment concerning slavery, what might have
been expected if the territory had been permitted
10 remain open 10 occupation by people from every
section Of the Union, without regard to the kind
Of property they may have possessed No reason
able man doubt but that California would this
moment have been slave country. 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 n1ture: are working
a saIutary change in public sentiment; and we
are not without hope that despite the interference
of the Observation-Disclosures in l54a &sa~2ae.
cure the adoption Of an anti-slavery Constitution
at the hands Of the rowing advenlurers who first
entered the territorv-notwithstand the rregu-
larities attending that notwithstanding the
inqutous and deep-aid plot of the abolitionists,
and the base desernon of southern members of
Congress-the south will yet be admitted 10 an
equal participation in the benefits Of the Pacific
region. -lLSsissipFian.