The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-29
Freedom or Slavery.


Shall the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska be
occupied by freemen and free institutions, or be
yielded up to slavery? Now that the two houses
Of Congress have determined to repeal the Missouri
restriction, this question becomes practical one,
and its ultimate solution depends upon contingent
cies that must excite more or less interest in the
public mind.
The STAKEHOLDER claims the right, under the con.
stitui0n Of the United States to enter these Terri
tories with his slaves and to remain there unmolest
ed during the Territorial condition, and until the
people, grown to the requisite stature, shall form
sue Constitutions lon prohibiting slavery This right
ton of local or municipal law and cannot exist
without its sanction.
Suppose he attempts to exercise it, by occupying
these Territories with his slaves, and suppose the
slave escapes into Iowa or any other non-savehold
ing State will the master be entitled to the rendi
tion of the slave under section Of the 4th article
of the constitution
Suppose the Territorial Legislature pass an act
prohibiting slavery. Will not the slave owner resist
the act as unconstitutional and therefore void2
Suppose, again, the slave conveyed into these Terri
tories by his master May he not for his freedom
on the ground that there IS no local law by which he
can be held in bondage?
These suppositions seem to present serious ques-
ti0ns for litigation, and indicate the probability that
the settlement Of these Territories will be followed
by controversy in the courts that may last for
years.
But whatever form the litigation may assume, it
will be the duty Of the friends Of free labor to provide
the ways and means necessary to full and fair trial
Again:-W'ill the free laborers Of the States and
from Europe migrate to these Territories Not in
considerable numbers, if there shall be reasonable
dout as to the ultimate solution of the question Of
freedom or slavery. The consequences OF such
doubt can only be averted by such a unity and com
binaton among the friends Of free labor as will rem
der it reasonably certain
First. That the controversy in the courts shall be
maintained vigorously on the side of freedom, il
need be until the final decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States and
Second. That the free laborers who migrate
thither shall have all the aid that organized cooper
alton Of their friends in the States can give.
II the foregoing ideas substantially correct, it
is obvious that the friends Of freedom and oppo-
nents of slavery extension are called to the dis
charge Of . duty Of the greatest Importance in a
There is work to be done-hard work, In which
the orator, pamphleteer and paragnphst must give
place, In degree, to organizing mind and executive
There Is work TO be done, not in violation OF law
not in excitement and tumult-not in putting
forth angry sectional appeals-but in devising wise
and effective measures of safety, with camness and
elaboration, in subordination to law.
The representatives of the slave holding States
have unquestionaby done great wrong-have
committed great error in voting the repeal of
the Missouri restriction. But the friends of free
labor will commit fatal error il they attempt to
treve what has been lost by denouncing the South,
or induging in mere partisan ordinations. A wise
man who finds his house or fire will endeavor to
tingush the flames before he goes in search Of the
incendiary.
The freedom Of the Territories, hazarded, If not
lost by the action Of Congress- may be yet secured
or reconquered by the people, IL misguided zeal and
party ambition shall not interpose to msdirect their
efforts and thus thwart their action.
There 10 work to be done, and the sooner 1t Is be-
gun with well considered view OF the ends TO DC
accomplished, and Of the most appropriate and
available means of accomplishment, the better for
all concerned.
The ends may be briefly stated thus
l. The prohibition Of slavery In the Territories
through the agency Of the Territorial p.uthority;
and Il for any this cannot be effect.d then,
2. The prevention Of any act by those authorities
,cr - s...{ely; ard,