Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-14

uioucn OF the suNJecl. NO TURNER ILLUSTRATIONS OF
the weakness of its logic or the unsoundness of
It's doctrine can be necessary.
But there is one statement ofthe Enquirer which,
1 must confess, has excited my wonder, aud, II /
had met il anywhere else, should have said, my
amazement, II displays recklessness of igno-
rance or oil something worse than ignorance; but
u Is redeemed, In some measure--as far, indeed,
as such redemption can go--by the moral cour-
age manifested by the assertion. The Enquirer
mus states the position: "Obnoxious as these
principles have always been 10 the judgment and
feelings OF the southern people, General Cass ad-
vances now for the first time proposition still
more antagonistic to the rights and interests ofthe
south. This proposition, formally enunciated in
the fourth, fifth, and sixth articles of his confess
sion OF faith affirms, in fact, that slavery is the
creature of local law, and can claim neither pro-
lection nor recognition in the Constitution" As
the writer controls the universally oftbis position
blythe admission that accept the provision for the
recapture of fugitive slaves" | will not quarrel
with him about the generality of the terms he
employs. "But we do not mean" continues the
writer, TO discuss the validity of this novel arti-
Gle OF the Cass creed. We propose only TO sub
learn TO what an extreme ofhostity TO their rights
and interests General Cass has been driven by his
anti-slavery prejudices." There is much more OF
The same sort but this is enough. And this is
said in The capital OF Virginia, and by the selfas-
sumed Jupiter Tonans of that glorious old State.
Like his Olympian predecessor, he considers all
thunder but his own as byntmms fillmen, which term
he applies TO the 'sWashington Union or any other
arrogant or presumptuous organ" which has the
arrogance or presumption TO doubt his infaibility.
" This novel article in the Cass creed,n" advanced
now for the first time," believed in 81 only by the
most crazy of the abolition fanatics" is heraded
10 the South aoth all The ponlp and circumstance
of thrilling denunciation the most injurious and
unjust attack ever made upon their rights Does
the writer mean that was the first TO advance
anf han n.
with its consequences, or that / now advance it
for the first time ? / am not going TO analyze the
charge. 1t is not necessary for any purpose have
in view. II is clear that his object is 10 irritate
the South against me- and 10 make me responsible
for the doctrine, and to persuade them that am
using it faithlessly and TO their injury.
In the first place, l have maintained the same
views time and again, and the writer ifhe did not
know it, ought to have known il before he thus
assailed me. But this, touching only his moral
duty, Is OF little importance when compared with
the assertion that "it has been heretofore main
tanned only by the most crazy of the abolition ia
natics." Has the writer lived in such an atmo-
sphere OF political darkness that he does not know
that this doctrine has been maintained by some of
The ablest and most accomplished jursts in the
country, North and South ?--that it was main
tanned by the Supreme Court of the United States
in the well-known case of Prigg against the Com
monwealh of Pennsylvania, when among other
points, it was soemnly ruled that the State Of
slavery is deemed to be a mere municipal regula-
ton, founded upon, and limited by, the range of
the territorial laws"
The same doctrine has been maintained bv in
dicial decisions in Pennsylvania, in Kentucky. in
Ohio. in Louisiana, in Mississippi in Missouri
and, have seen it stated, in other States The
Louisiana court pronounced that othe relation of
owner and slave is, in the States of The Union in
which 1t has legal existence the creature OF
municipal law" The Mississippi court thus con-
6rmed the same doctrine: "The right Of the mas
ter exists not by the force of the law of nature or
nations, butby virtue only of positive law; slavery
is condemned by reason and the law of nature
II exists, and can only exist, through municipal
regulations" "Slavery," says the Kentucky court.
"exists only by positive law of municipal char.
acter without foundation in the law OF nature. or
the unwritten and common law" "The state of
slavery" thus decides the Pennsylvania court.
us deemed TO be mere municipal regulation,
founded upon, and limited by, the range of the
territorial law"
find these extracts in the papers of the day
with references TO Martins Louisiana Renor,s 20
Marshalrs Kentucky Reports, to Walkers Mis-
sissippi Reports, and TO Peters's PENNSYLVANIA Di
gest, and presume they are correct
Judge Mclean thus announces his adhesion 10
the doctrine: Without the sanction of law
slavery can no more exist in Territory Than n
man can breathe without air. Slaves are moi
property where they not made such by NUM-
clpal law Mr. Clay maintained il, saying in the
OF the Constitution which CONVEYS the right or
power 10 carry slaves from one OF the States of
the Union 10 any Territory OF the United States y
and Mr.. Webster, II is well known, concurred In
this view. Mr.. Harris, of Mississippi, will hardly
be visited by the denunciations of the Enouirer
and yet have already quoted his declaration Thai
the constitution does not carry slaves anywhere.
and have referred TO that OF Mr.. Franklin. will
not pile Pelion upon Ossa by multiplying these re-
ierences. am weary Of this perversly of intel
lect-closely allied TO mental hallucination or TO
moral obbquty-which boldly proclaims the en-
pansive power of slavery, with law and without
law, and rebukes me as abolhionist because |
hold on to the true creed, founded in reason, hal
lowed by time, and fortified by the judicial deci.
sons Of our highest tribunals.
One word upon another TOPIC am revilea-
the tone and temper displayed admit of no other
epithet-because l expressed the belief that
slavery would never be established should these
bills pass. And did not the southern members of
the Senate, in effect, maintain the same view
And was confirmed in this impression" re-
marked In the Senate towards the close Of the last
session, by what was said by the senator from
tennessee, lMr JonesD by the senator from Ken
lucky, (Mr, Dixon) and by the senator from North
Carolina, (Mr. Badger,) and also by the remarks
which fell from the senator from Virginia, (Mr.
hnnterl and IN which fully concur, that the South
VIII never derive any benefit from this measure,
40 far as respects the extension Of slavery: for
leglslate as we may, no human power can ever
establish IT in the regions defined by these bills.
do not recollect single southern member who |
advocated the adoption Of these measures on the |
ground that they would lead to the introduction |
Of slavery. supposed then, and L suppose vet. |
mat southern men were influenced 10 support |
them not by the prospect Of the extension of
slavery, but, as said in debate, because thew re-
moved an "invidions unconstitutional interfer.
ence. II 0he Missouri geographical Incl maL..
a distinction between North and South which
cannot but be obnoxious to a high.spiri,ed
community. And certainly 10 remove this
par sinister rom the national escutcheon NAV
Wen furnish a more powerful motive TO great
jealous of its honor, than any hope or /
expectation that its accomplishment will lead 10 |
he Introduction OF slavery into these Territories
AS TO the assertion Of the Enquirer, tha, sun
'ortcd this arrangement because il is Ga ffee-soil
nti-slavery measure" have merely 10 saw Il has
lot the shadow OF foundation in fact. supported
md voted for IL because IL sanctions the true doc |
rine Of congressional nonntervention and de-
lares void an unconstitutional provision which
Established geographical line as a BOUNDARY
gainst the exercise OF the rights OF selEeovern
1ent believe slavery win never 70 10 Kansas
Nebraska, and so said and believed a vast ms. 4
'rity OF The members Of Congress, without refer.
nee 10 location and rejoice that have serp 4
o cause 10 change this opinion but that n Il |
rengthened from day 10 day. Mr.. Webster and
In. Clay entertained and avourc.l ~ -