The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-11


course, for declaring void the Missouri Compromise
This plan OF congressional ton-intesenuon IS The only
plan OF safety for sir IN relation 10 ths nsahs SUI
jeet and clear, certain, and CONSTITUTIONS,
that the wonder is. not that ere now adopting ~ ou
that did not adopt il when the controversy nrst began
Entire prohibition The action Of the general government
except relates It's constitutional Obligations con-
corning fugtyes from service The only security offered
TO Fidelity 10 this principle viii become covenant
which, like the ark Of the covenant Of Old VIII conduct us
through the routed and OF safety The ques-
tons touching the subject of slavery local. and shotd
be e 10 the proper local forum, whether IN State or
Territory TO the consideration and decision OF tne peoPe
10 legal mode in their political communities And GER
tanly cannot but feel much gra,ihcauon TIT we have
reached this point after many TRIALS and DANGERS ana
that the doctrine of non Intervention sat length practically
recognised by large portion of the people OF the Tinted
States and forms the basis of the bill now under discus
sion; and especially grahed at the recognition OF the
rights Of felo citizens, while in territorial condition.
adjust this for themselves during the existence OF
these temporary governments and The more So be
It was this very principle, the inevitable eonee
quence OF our institutions which exposed me 10 much ms
representation and obIoquy but short time since, and
which led a Georgia paper-ihe Telegraph-to class
among the mighty throng Of puaderes, expressing us
want of confidence in 9 a who would steal the land
and pay off the South the abstraction
Well Sir the abstract has changed to the concrete The
rejected stone has become the chef stone OF The corner
Instead Of originating vile motives OF plumber and MIN
stering the qualification of such miserable passion
this doctrine of non-Dterventon and of seisovernmen IS
taking its place-has taken IT. seed-amons the grea,
principles of institutions, equally Just IN Its origin and
sautay its operation. Instead OF being attack upon
the ghts of the South, the constitutional shield
nteposei for the protection of article of political faith
equally dear every portion Of our czensthe power to
regulate their domestic affairs In their own way 1t
last discovered and acknowledged that Americans
going Territory do not become slaves Themselves. nor
any abstraction, like that of 'sovere gny" now be
successfully raised up barrier between them and the
enjoyment Of the most sacred rights which God has given
to ....
Those sir who were here at the time cannot forget
cannot any rateha when in the discussion OF the
questions arising of the Mexican acquisitions, deiend-
had tlp
CATION of the subject, was met by storm OF opposition
10 of them-reprobaton, | may call it--not often
Witnessed and which found its echo through the whole
South | repeat these propositions in the words then
| used
"First. That the Wimo proviso unconstitutional"
for the reason gyen that Congress had no s1icton over
the subje Of slavery.
Second That slavery, having been abolished by the
Mexican government, did exist in the Territory DC
Third. That slavery would not go there, as well on
OF natural obstacles, the feelings of the people
Fourth That organized communities, exercising the
powers of government, whether in States Territories,
had alone the right of determining this question for them
sevesn
And The principle contained in this fourth proposition
advanced in my letter to Mr.. Nicholson, wherein
SAID 1t 1.-THE interference OF Congress) should be limited
TO the creation of proper for countries
qursd ted and TO the esary provision for their
ntu admission into the Union, leaving IN the mean
tme to the people nhabitng them, to regulate their own
concerns In Their own way"
The from New York. IMr sEwARD,l in his OPP
rosion TO this BILL said as has been often and logically
before that Congress frequently provisions,
in the laws for the organization of the Territories neon
sisent with this claim of sefgoyerpment And If they
have what hen Is abuse oppression TO be for
continued because assumcd But the senator is
in error and the of it obvious In the formation
of political systems for the Territories there must be some
latitude Of discretion, there viii be difference OF opn-
ion, concerning the powers be recognised restrained
The precise boundary between external and internal affairs
cannot always be exactly fixed and Of course some of the
details Of the ogsnc laws may go further than many would
approve But, with the exception Of this Legislation by
Congress over the subject of slavery know of no control
any o. the family relations Of which the Territories
have been deprived There Is one barrier so pen that
cannot be ovepassed through ignorance and ought not TO
be through desgn-and that is, the internal domestic a
fairs Of these embryo States We know we oannot touch
their domestic hearths their dome site affairs their family
and social relations their wives their children, their
servants their maid servants their houses their
farms, their property, without violation OF the
nalenabe rights OF consected by the blood of our
fathers and halowed by the affections of their There
is no human intellect, however mighty II may be, which
render this plea Of tyranny acceptable TO the American
people.
The senator from Mississippi presented similar consider
ations and enlarged somewhat upon them and, in add
tion he contended that Congress could not grnnt power
they did possess that IL they had night to legsate
the domestic afairs OF tho Territories they had
right enable the people do Now sir this objec
ton stand the test of examination. Ia the first
place deny that the people of the Territories derive their
power Of selfgovcrnmen from the national legislature.
concede have said, from the peculiar, and in
measure underlined relations between those communities
and the general go, crnment, Of necessity Con
eress must eere TO establish and organize governments
manage their internal affairs for themselves and that the
organic law in this respect nota grant, but recognition
repeat that in executing share of this arrangement
have not confined ourselves strictly within Just limits but
I'LL lately the question hes been much explored and
exact, undsputed boundary perhaps anaainaoe
The senator from Mississippi asks If | would be willing
have the Territories elect their governor answered that
question in this hall the 9th Of June 1850 when said
in answer 10 inquiry Of Mr. Webster that " was
willing al ow the Territories elect their governors
And tina, admission st adhere and, with the senator
from California, would take from the governors the sbso-
lutte veto given by these bills.
But, SIR, although think go far, sun do not de-
sre throw unnecessary obsucles in the way Of their
passage and wino do so by my action though il others
propose amendments shall freely vote upon them Our
supervisory arising out Of connexion with these
States IN posse involves considerations which al will
view alike. shall far for national and
stutiona freedom But again, with respect this OBJ
icotionthat cannot grant power do possess
have to remark that general principle contadced
by the legislative experience of every day We confer
vast variety Of powers which have the shadow OF
authority execute ourselves And going the Terrific
OF ali their rgbtsho right establish constitution for
themselves preparatory their admission into the Upon
IL provided for by congressional legislation. What then
becomes of this objection Because enable them
erclse their powr Of legislation does thence follow
that possess in the first instance, and could form
constitution which should bind and control them Every
nstnctvey answers that question in the negative as
he hears H. and that refues this proposition
without further argument
few words more upon another point introduced by the
senator from Mississippi and quit this branch Of the sub
Ject lie refers to my answer TO the inquiry Where the
people OF the Territories get the right easae Cor them
fhnt fhev ffoY, ,aL Cn1ff p1