The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-12
A Voice from Nebraska-Indians and Negroes
Read how the People Interested speak in re-
laliOn 10 Them.

We publish below a memorial from Hadley ID. John
son, esq. claiming TO be delegate from Nebraska pre-
scented 10 the Senate by Hon. A. Dodge, the 2oth
OF February last, laid the table and ordered 10 be
printed. We informed that Mr.. Johnson was late
senator OF the State OF Iowa, and that he is gentleman
OF tbs highest character and responsibility native OF In
diana, aud with predictions decidedly to the in
s,ituon OF domestic slavery We earnestly invite pc
rusa of his memorial by those who may be inclined to
give 10 the subject OF the establishment Of territorial gov
ernmens for Nebraska and Kansas that calm consider
attention which lis importance would seem TO de-
mand
MEMORIAL OF IL. d. JOHNSON,
Delegate from the Territory Of Nebraska claiming for the
people OF that territory the right to eRslate for them
selves the subject OF slavery Congress should
leave the question to the decision OF their choice
To the Senate and House of Representatives.
AT an election held in that country known Nebraska,
north OF the orteh degree Of north latitude llb
day of October last had the honor receive quite large
number OF votes Ga certificate OF such fact having been
terred 10 the Commee Elections in the House of Rep
resenatives time in December las delegate from
that Territory represent the interests and make known
the of that country before the national legislature.
No law being in existence authorizing that election and
the people in thus selecting their agent
urge upon you the early consideration Of their wants. did
sentative upon The floor the House, but they expected
TO use all honorable means 10 seek early organiza
Finding the rules OF Congress regulating the of
persons other than members the balls OF that body
nedLo privileged classes and being myself Of the
privileged few, have not as free access gentlemen com
wish, without nstuding myself upon them IN their hours
OF retirement; and to thus ntrude feel great rencance
knowing do that those hours Of respite official
duties are necessary enable them TO and be prepared
for each days laborous sitting,
bringing before yon the object Of my mission. and
time TO avoid system of personal perioation which
cit in this public manner early and attention
to the subject alluded TO-
,ha a. ~ laC, Al
the hands Of able jealous and faithful gentlemen this
fact does not however prsvsE. me from thus appealing to
fear from present Indications that there exists unfor
tunaiely disposition TO expead much time in debatede
bate however eloquent learned, and interesting, still
useless, perhaps and foreign 10 the true question at issue
ton the United States Nebraska that is the present
question
in the Senate. includes extent OF country from east to
west OF about eight hundred miles, aud about six hundred
from north to soulh,
There within the limits hch is proposed nd be-
eved will first be settled 1850 in the
about 20G4O000 OF land being about thou
sand acres 70 each man, woman, and child therein
Although the most OF this land is rich and productive, be-
ing well adapted the production Of corn, wheat, OATS
potatoes &c well different kinds Of fruits, am
well satisfied that thousand in cuI-
tvation in the region last alluded although frequent
temp have been made to induce the indians cultivate
the SOFT
Those, therefore, who sympathze with the "poor In
dian" need not be alarmed, the organization of this
country will result in benefit TO the lndans the In
dian agents and he opinion is sustained by the Commits
sioner Of Indian Affairs well the experiences of all
persons acquainted with their circumstances.
There within these limits several great OF
from lory fifty thousand American citizens. carrying
with them their properly valued al many millions Of dol
With this vast region OF county cannot be found one
single person authorized TO arrest criminal or enforce
can enforce United States law in punishment for crimes
committed within these Limits.
The consequence is that those laws fact dead
letter. and The result is that the lives and property those
who live in and travel through the county are unsafe and
II be true, periodically held, that Koszta, upon
foreign SOIL justly claim and entitled 10 receive
thousand Indians who natives and the Atty thou
sand whites who are citizens OF and upon American SOIL
entitled 10 the same protection within our own limits
Surely that which is freely granted to adopted should
not be withheld from native citizens
but trivial importance and but le value the Indian
tribes roaming IL. The being driven of by
great tide OF emigration continually flowing through that
region, the lndiaas willing dispose lands
which would II settled upon and brought iuto cultivation,
be of importance the people aordng the
me market TO the settler for thu products of his lam
and the settlers nfordng protection to the cmgrans AID
the government mails thus proving advantage TO the
government in diminishing her expenses as, in event OF
az by government could be abandoned aud tl ano,bef
advantage would accrue 10 the country In the early in
crease OF the naonal TREASURES derived from the sales OF
The Indian tribes would be benefited by the settlement
county, the purchase their lands would pro-
ent condition they have neither game, PROVISIONS money
annudes. They pershng by hunger ind pinched
by want, and will 50 continue until they become extinct.
unless preserved by plan alude pa rticu.
larry to the tribes nhabiting the Platte valley.
As regards The question of slavery Nebraska allow m
remark think the phiIalthfopist need be alarmed
believe there has been nor do suppose there
ever will be- single slave residing Territory Of
which am writing
am tree 10 admit that, the outse thought would
have been as wen 10 silent this subject, saying
nothing IN the s, aud leaving the adjustment The
iure but as has since been demonstrated that, had such
course been pursued The resn would have been the
the agitation would have been raised Il is vain
hope for quiet this question, until Il deli
nely settled am therefore, willing that it should be
openly met, and at o.ce.
Let therefore, pray you, this question be disposed
OF No temponzing, no slight applications oil neicent
remedies, viii suffice Apply, al once, II you please
prompt, eHectuHl, and constitutional remedy
Amongst the powefs expressly granted Congress by
the construction 10 borrow money, lay regulate
&c. but none abolish slavery.
The Is farther granted ITO make all wi ch sha
be necessary and proper lor carrying into execution
constitution IN the government OF The United States &c
The Congress shall have powrrto d. .pose Of aud
all needtu tpls suu regulations respecting the territory
property belonging TO The Uued States" Agafui
- This constitution, aud the laws of the United States
which shall be made pursuance thereof" &c, shail
be the supreme law OF the land"
Article ., OF amendments to the constitution provides
that 'be the constitution Of oerain rights
shall not be construed 10 deny dsf nrage others retained
by the people"
Article nj provides "be powers not delegated to the
Uuiwd States by the constitution, prohibited by
The states reserved 10 tho States respectively, the
people
Now, any attempt by the Congress iegsate pom the
subject Of slavery Pfrsupposes right to do II is
therefore legitimate inquire by what authority such II
legislation is attempted, and the of such power
When therefore, the sh section OF the act OF 1920 which