The daily union., 1854-01-06

by this act slavery and involuntary serv,ude Otherwise
than Ia The punishment OF crimes whereof the parties
shall have been duly convicted. shs be- and Is hereby,
forever prohibited Provided aua5s. That any person
escaping into the same. from whom labor service is
lawfully claimed in any Slate oI Territory OF The Uned
States, such iugtye may be lawfully reclaimed and
veyed the person claiming his or her labor service
Aforesaid"
Under this section, in the care OF the Mexican law
in New Mexico and Utah, Is disputed point whether
slavery is prohibited in the Nebraska country by pahd
enactment. The decision Of this question involves the
constitutional power OF Congress TO pass laws prescribing
and regulating The domestic institutions OF the various
Territories OF the Union In the opinion of those eminent
statesmen who hold that Congress is invested with no
ughu authority legisate upon the subject Of slavery
in the Territories. the eighth section of the act pre-
pafa,ory 10 the admission oil Missouri is null aud
VOID while The prevailing sentiment III large por-
ton OF The Union sustans the doctrine that The con-
stulion OF the United States 10 every citizen
an unalienable right TO move into any OF the Iern'
tories with his property, Of whatever kind and desefp
on and TO hold and enjoy the under the sanction
OF law Your committee do feel themselves called
upon into the discussion Of these conroyerted
questions. They involve the same grave issues which
produced the agitation the sectional strife, and the fear
ful struggle of 1885, AS Congress deemed ii wise and
prudent refrain from deciding the matter in coniro-
versy then. either by affirming repeating the Mexican
laws or by an act declaraory OF the true intent Of the
constitutions and the extent Of the protection afforded by
it to slave property the Territories, your committee
are moi prepared recommend departure from the
pursued that memorable occasion, either by al
6rmiDg or repeating the sh section OF the Missouri ACT or
by any decaraloy OF the meaning OF the constitution
in respect the legal points IN dispute. Your committee
deem fortunate Tor the peace OF the country and the
security of the Union that the controversy then resulted
IN nft thac
two great political parties, with singular unanmlty have
affirmed cardinal article OF their faith and proclaimed
to the world final settlement OF the controversy and
end OF the agitation. due respect, therefore, for
the avowed opinions Of senators, as well az proper
sense OF patriotic duty, enoin upon your committee the
proprey and necessity of strict adherence TO the prn-
cples, and literal adoption OF The enacments, OF
that adjustment all their territorial bills far the
samc IoSaiiy inopPiioato. Tsoso enaos"ieat-
embrace among other things less material to the matters
under consideration. the following provisions:
when admitted US State, the said Territory, or any
portion Of the same, shall be received nto the Union with
without slavery, as their constitution may prescribe at
the time OF their admission.
That the legislative power and authority OF said Terri
tory shall be vested in the governor and aegsa'ive as
selnhy.
the United States and the provisions of this
ry disposal OF the soil shall be imposed upon
property the United States shall the lands other
other property Of residents
Wits and appeals from the Anal decisions o.
said supreme court shall be allowed and may be taken
the Supreme Court OF the United States, in The
and under the regulations as from the Circuit
the amount in controversy TO be asceitaned by the
affirmation OF either party, or other competent witness
eases nyovng title 10 slaves he said wrs OF error or
peas sha be allowed and decided by the said supreme
cout without regard 10 the value Of tha ipatte property
e in controversy aud except, also, that wit or
peal shan also be allowed to The supreme Court OF tue INT
led States, from the decisions OF the said supreme coun
created by tAis act any Judge thereo of the dis
created by this act, or oil any Judge thereof
upon any writ OF habeas corpus involving the question
OF person freedom and eacn OF the said dtsrct courts
shalt have and the jurisdiction, In all
arising under the constitution and laws OF the Uni'ed States
as is vested in the circuit district the United
States and the said supreme and district courts Of le
may grant Of habeas corpus in all cases in which The
granted by the judges OF iba United States ~
the District oil Columbia"
To which may be added The following proposition al
6meI by the act of 1850, known the iugiuvesln
law
That the provisions of the Act respecting fusitive
from astice and persons escaping from the service
their masters approved February 18th, 1923, and the
provisions OF the Act 10 amend and supplementary to
the aforesaid act approved September ish 1850, shal
extend 10 and be in force all the organized Terrific
rles" as well AS in The various States OF the Union
From these provisions At is apparent that the compro
mise measures OF 1850 affirm and rest upon the follow
ing propositions:
Fus,, that all questions pertaining TO slavery IN ih
TeriloIes aud in the States 10 be oimed there
FROM are to be left the decision OF the people residn
therein, through their appropriate representatives TO b.
chosen by them Tor that purpose.
Second, that" all involving title TO slaves"
questions of personal freedom, referred 10 The ad
Indication OF the local tribunals. win the II sht OF appea
TO the Supreme Court OF the United States.
Third, that The provisions of the constitution OF { h'
United States in respect 10 fugyes from service
he carried into faithful execution in all " the oganzet
| Territories" the same IN The States.
The substitute for The bill which your committee hav
prepared. and which is commanded to the favorable
action OF the Senate proposes 70 carry these proposi
tons and principles into practical operation, in The PIE
else language oi the compromise measures OF 1850.
i The Late william II. Barry, OF Kentucky.
/ Grs ARMSTRONG: Some years ago. (ls3s,) when on
xisii OF hnsness to England, stopped ailcI voyage