Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-02-17

stts> fott occofutnSs Il suppo.t, W.
seems best to them, and we ought not,
and | do not. question their motives.
But because in 1890, n Clay. an
Adams or Webster may have voted
for or sanctioned law, that Is no rea-
son WHY wo In 1864, should blindly
adhere 70 IL. Neitheris that n suffi-
Gent reason why we should withhold
from questioning its legality. There
is no error sotime-honored; none, en-
braoed though IL be by names even so
illustrious, but what u error, should
be abandoned.
The compromise Of 1890 was an
error, II sbascd upon assumed power.
No wonder then, that IL has ever been
followed by trouble.
1 have heard Il said that the only
true method Of treating n wound is TO
probe II 10 the core, remove the cause
and the disease will become durable.
But even tho you may succeed In
healing over the surface, IL the cause
remains within, the outside healing
amounts TO but little, the wound Is
sure 10 bleed afresh.
So II lie In legislation. and In every.
thing else indeed--patch- work willnot
do.
An evil existed. What was it9 II
was this. A lurking idea, afterwards
made manifest, that Congress could
control the subject OF slavery. The
consequence was, concession. eompro-
misc. and for what9 10 save the Union.
! hold that the Union Ii In no immi.
nont danger 40 long ~ We adhere 10
our Constitution.
That compromise was adopted. 4
temporary peace was concluded. tenn.
porary only. and subject 10 DO broken
At tho will ofany who might soc prop.
or 10 disturb ID.
The Compromise Of 1880 was
thought by some TO be .faaiity, but
even now We see that Il Is moi, No
lndeedi and the only hnallly which
you will sec In any net Of Congress,
Is that which recognized 10 the people
the right given them by the ConsIIlu'
ton.
When therefore Congress does this.
(which will be done II the present Ne.
braska bill becomes law then will
we have q compromise as Is compro.
misc. one recognised by the Constitu'
ton, and acquiesedin by the people.
But 10 the law:
The Constitution has granted "a
Congress certain powers specifically,
amongstthem these 70 borrow money,
levy taxes, regulate commerce" DC
and also, "to make all laws which
shall be necessary and proper for car
rying intoexecution the foregoing pow
ers. and all other powers vested by
this Constitution in the Government
Of the u. s. or in any department OF
officer thereof" and further. "The
Congress shall have power 10 dispose
Of and make all ncedful rules and reg
ulations respecting the territory and
othsr properly, belonging to the United
s,ates;" Again: "This Constitution
and the laws of the United States,
which shall be made in pursuance there
Of" &c. "shall be the supreme law Of
the land"
This gives the power 10 legislatC
respecting the territory or other prop.
erty Of the u. 5. but none respecting
the property Of citizens Of tho U. s.,
unless II be to tax Il.
nrucio .. OF amendments TO the
Constitution, provides, that, "ThC
enumeration in the Constitution Of Ger.
tain rights, shall not be construed u
deny or disparago others retained b,
the people.
Article 10. provides that, 9Th,
powers not delegated 10 the Unitcc
States by the Constitution, nor prohib
tied by Il to the States. are reserved :,
the Siatesrespeetiyely or TO thepeopie. >
The powers Of Congress are there
fore limited and | believe are Of tw,
kinds; first vested. or fixed, and are II
express terms, and therefore indispu
table and easily understood. vii
any one be found who will affirm tina
Congress has rested right, 10 legis
late Slavery into or out Of any State Of
territory presume no sane mar
will 80 affirm. Second implied powers
Then whore can you find II by i'm
plication? What law enacted by Con
gress, by virtue Of her vested rights
can possibly necessarily demand eth
or the extension or suppression. by
Congress, Of African Slavery? None
All needful rules and laws, made il
pursuance Of the Constitution can b,
carried into execution without the aic
Of far fetched implied poloers.
That African Slavery Is an evil, /,
true, and none feel il more deeply thar
the slave holders and their children
That IL exists. and is recognized b,
law and by the Constitution, none will
deny. That IL will cease 10 exist wher
those who have the control over it, Sc,
fit to abandon il, all no doubt sincere
ly desire, and the philanthropist prayi
TOR a speedy abandonment OF il.
But let IL be done properly aud il
order. Letus stand by the Constilu
ton. That sacred instrument has sale
that all powers, not fixed in Congress
and those not needed TO carry out th,
first, are reserved to the States, or {,
the people. To the states, il admitted
as states, and ii not to the people of III,
territories, and that, Mr.. Editor, il
what we want; We have no slaves il
Nebraska. There never has been on,
that | know OF, and | presume never
will be, but we do not want Congress,
to arrogate the right TO enact Slavery
within our borders, as we deny hel
right TO do that, we Of course by tn,
same rule deny her right TO say that i
may not exist il we decide that it shall
In other words we believe the peopl,
are capable of self-government, as wei
in the Territories AS the States; thai