The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-02
NoN-INTERvENTIoN AND SLAVERY IN CALL
FORNIA.

The Richmond kNrglnla) enquirer, ahiuS'
the reverses which have overtaken the Admins
tration and Slavery Party, consoles itself with
the result of the election in California, which 1t
claims as decision in favor OF the division OF
the State and the establishment of Slavery In
its southern half We do not understand that
this was the exact issue. The Slavery Question
was certainly not openly brought into the can
vass and the Broderick faction that was defeat
ed was friendly to the Administration. But the
Enquirer speaks confidently, and may have in
formation that is not accessible to all. We have
no faith in the factions that prevail in that
State. There can be no doubt that their lead
ing politicians are Pro-Savery men, and in ia
vor of the project mentioned by the Enquirer.
We know enough of their doings to know this !;
but the majority of the People are opposed to
it, and We hope they may be rallied in time to
defeat it.
We subjoin the views given of the election by
the Enquirer, and ask the People of the free
States, and specially of California, to ponder it
well:
ain addition to the ordinary political issues,
parties in California are distinguished by di-
verse and conflicting views of Slavery. The
Democratic party is split into two factions, one
of which processes the fashionable Free Soil
notions of Slavery, and of its evil influence on
the welfare of society; while the other under
stands its true nature, and proposes to intro
duee and establish it in the State. The forces
of the first are led by Broderick, and are mainly
recruited by emigrants from the New England
States. The other party is composed chiefly OF
- Al
tinguished by its attachment to the fortunes of
Senator Gwin, is really controlled by such men
as Hamilton, Peachy, and Inge. The struggle
between these parties has been fierce and ardu-
Gus. and it was long doubtful for whom victory
would pronounce. But the vulgar energy OF
brutal rOardyism unequal to the contest
with talent and character, and we witness, at
last the complete triumph of the 'Chivalry
The candidates of the Gwin Democracy are
| elected by a decisive majority over both the
Broderick men and the Wings.
"The unseen but active issue between these
factions is, whether the southern portion of Cal
ifornia shall be organized into separate State,
with a Constitution recognising and establish
ing Slavery. The recent success of the Gwin
party promises satisfactory solution of this
problem. And thus may the military violence
by which California was devoted to Free Soil be
| avenged, and the South be yet restored to an
equal participation in the wealth of that splen-
did empire"
AS to the process by which this is TO be ac-
complshed, the Enquirer relies upon the appli-
cation of the Principle of Non Intervention, said
to be established by the Nebraska Bill How
much the Slave Power counted upon that Bill
as entering wedge to break all resistance to
to its daring policy! Says the Enquirer;
"The Nebraska principle of popular sorer-
eighty and on-interrention smooths the way Tor
the establishment of slave State in Southern
California for, if the people of California choose
to divide their domain and to set up another
State, with Southern institutions, of course Con-
gress will not presume to interpose any ohJec
ton The Nebraska bill forbids Congressional
interference and leaves it to the people OF
State or Territory to determine their own lnstl-
tutions' Southern California is peculiarly pro-
ptious to negro labor, and its inhabitants are
very anxious that Slavery should be introduced
amongst them"
Not so fast, Mr. Enquirer Even "Squatter
Sovereignty must give way to plain provi-
sion of the Federal Constitution. Our COnstitu
tion-revering contemporary has forgotten a little
clause in section 3, article 4, of that instrument,
which declares that
"No new State shall be formed or erected
within the jurisdiction of any other State, with
out the consent of the Legislature of the State
concerned as reU as Of Congress-"
Whatever rights "Squatter Sovereignty -
may have it is plain that it cannot set up a new
State within the jurisdiction of another, without
the consent Of Congress, and this must be given
by formal act. Now as it is certain that
large majority of members of the next Congress
will be Ant-Nebraska men, we should like to
know why the Enquirer is so confident of its
scheme! Does Senator G,ci propose TO intro
duce a bill at tie nert session. granting the con-
sent Of Congress IN adrance to tie organization
Of a new State IN California, in tie expectation
that the majority that repealed tie Missouri
Compromise uW pass a bill to open TO ,Tare,y
an outlet on the Pacific?
Let the People of the free States look to it.
There is no safety for Freedom, so long as the
present Congress or the present Administration
has life They are exposed every moment to
surprise and trcachery
SANDUsKY, o., Oct. Il, 1854.
| concur fully in your views Of the import
ance of sustaining the AntiSlavery press at this
crisis in our enterprise. Politics and parties
are truly in chaotic state, and future forma-
tons precarious. The Know Nothing or
ganization, / think, threatens to interfere with
our National Anti-Slavery movements. Ii Is by