Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-05-19

meeting OF their Legislature, until they
become a State Government Then,
and then only, can they settle the
question
For seventy years--since the year
1884, when the organizing mind Of
Jefferson drew the frst territorial
Ordinance--we had a uniform me thod
Of providing for the government ol
Territories. all founded upon the clause
in the Constitution which authorizes
Congress to dispose Of, and make rules
and regulations respecting. the terri
tory and other property Of the United
States. This mode OF goyernmeu,
has consisted Of three grades. are
foundedin the right Of Congress to
govern them. First grade: a Cover
nor and judges, appointed by che
J United States, 10 adoptlaws from other
States, to be in force until disapproved
by Congress. Second grade: a Terri
torial Legislature. when the inhabi-
tants shall amount to FIVE thousand
men above the age OF 81, composed OF
Ia Council partly appointed by the
United States, aud aHouse Of Repre-
sentatives elected by the People, at
the rate of one Representative for every
FIVE hundred voters, its legislation
subject to the approval Of Congress.
Third grade: entrance on the State
Government. in full equality With
the other States. This is The way
these Territories have been governed
for seventy years; and am for adhering
to it.
And now, what is the excuse for all
this disturbance Of the country; this
breaking upof ancient compromises;
arraying one halfof the Union against
the other, and destroying the temper
and business Of Congress? What is
the excuse for all this turmoil and
mischief? We are toldit is TO keep the
question Of slavery out Of Congressl
TO keep slavery out of Congressl Great
Cod II was outof Congress- com
pletely, entirely, and forever out of
Congress, unless Congress dragged it
in by breaking down the sacred laws
which settled it. The question was
settled, and done with. There was
not an inch square Of territory in the
Union on which it could be raised
without a breach of ofcompromise. The
Ordinance of 1889 settled il in all the
remaining pant of the Northwest
Territory beyond Wisconsin; the
Compromise line of 36 deg. 80 min.
settled it in all the country north and
west Of Missouri in The British line
and up to the Rocky Mountains; the
organic act Of Oregon, made by the
people, and sanctioned by Congress,
settled it in all that region: the acts for
the government of Utah and New
Mexico settled 1t in those two Terrific
ries; the compact with Texas, deter
mining the number OF Slave States
to be formed out Of that State, settled
it there; and California settled it for
herself.
Now, where was there an inch square
Of territory within the United States
on which the questions could be raj
sed2 Nowherel Not an inchl The
question was settled everywhere, not
merely By law, but by fact. The work
was done, and there was no wav 10
get at the question but by undoing the
work No way for Congress to ret the
question in, for the purpose of keeping
eat out, but to break down compromises
which kept it out.
What advantage do the slave states
expect from this bill? Certainly they
expect the extension of slave power,
and slave population. That may prove
4 tallaciouS expec citation. The question
of slavery in these Territories, If thrown
open TO territorial action, will be a
question OF numbers question OF
the majority for or against slavery,
and whas chance would the slayehold-
ers have in such a contest? No chance
at all. The slave emigrants will be
outnumbered, and compelled to play
al most unequal game, not only in
point Of numbers, but also in point OF
stakes. The STAKEHOLDER stakes his
property; and has TO run it off, or lose
It, il outyoted at the polls. | see
nothing which shareholders are to gain
under this bill, nothing but an unequal
and vexatious contest, in which they
are to be losers.
deprecate such contest, and did
my part to keep il out OF the State oi
Missouri when her Constitution was
formed. was not member of the
convention, but was a chief promoter
Of the clause which forbid the Legisla.
ture 10 emancipate slaves without the
consent OF their owners. promoted
that clause for the sake of peace--for
the sake of keeping the slavery ques-
ton out of our elections and legislation
for the sake Of preventing perpetual
strife among the people WhatI did
for Missouri, would do for the Terri.
tories; aud If It was an open question.
would vote one way or the other 10
settle il; but it is not an open question
and cannot be opened without breach
of faith, and the destruction of thepcacC
OF the country.
Sir, the question has been decided
, The free States are against this bill
and it's an i'll return for their pas
generous conduct TO endeayor to fore,
J L upon them. They have not only
' Just, but magnanimous, to the slay,
y States. What was the condition o
) the slave States thirty years ago, il
relation to the use Of the soil within
their limits? Declared ofa great par
|. of its use an Indian population cover
ing more or less of ALMOST every slav'