Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-04-01


| as he supposed
Mr. President, now approach the consideration I
another provision in this bill, which, in the opinion
many possesses Importance paramount to all others
one that is held be important to the welfare of tn
country and especially to the South that some of m
Southern friends have expressed the opinion ia our pr
vae and friendly conferences that Southern VIII
should fail to support 1t would be considered traitor
the interests Of the South and that under such crcum
stances should waive all scrupes about the violation
treaties compacts Of any kind; all my objections to tn
BILL however important may deem them take ex
ception the morality of this view of duty for if it
be shown that the principle of Intervention incorpo
rated in this bill viii produce the happy consequence
which its ardent supporters contend it will though
it may be nice question IN casustry, Senator nigh
well consider ii of those of overpowerng
sty and interest to the country which all constitutions
and other scrupes objections should yield Upon such
principles Of the most eminent Of the country
have heretofore felt themselves justified in acting
therefore take exception to the of any of
Southern friends upon this subject believing they
doubt do that is measure of all the mportancewhc
they ascribe to it. 1t in view of the overriding
cessty and Importance of the acquisition that Mr. Jeer
treated for the cession and annexation of Louisiana
and have heard it suggested that it was upon similar
principles that Of the members of Mr.. Monroes Ca
bne proceeded when they gave their opinions in favor
the consttutionaty the Missouri compromise act bu
wish TO hold some converse with my Southern friend
upon this subject in my place in the Senate before yie
my objections to this bill PROPOSE sir to discuss tbs
question with candor and fairness give to all the
ments in its favor their due weight and Importance, AL
then to consider whether they make case of oye
ruling necessity; Of such vital Importance to te
country generally, to the South particularly thai
ought to surrender my objections to the measuye.>
Sir, much time has been consumed and there haso Been
great deal of ingenuity displayed in the discussion Of
points and questions Of subordinate imporacs! The
friends Of the bill differ widely among themselves Us
Of the doctrines and principles involved in the
general subject These differences have led inquiries
the of the power heretofore exercised by Con-
gress in legislatng for the Terrtoiessome deriving it
from the express grant Of the pow to make oil needfu
rules and regulations for the disposition of respecting
the public domain and others MAINTAIN that it results
necessarily from the political soveignty of the United
States all territory acquired annexed ;
while admit the power of tn United States le
gsae for the inhabitants Of the hrritories on all sub
jects Of legitimate and ordinary legislative control yet
deny its powor to egslae upon eparticular subject of
slavery, being inconsistent witt tie equal rights of the
citizens OF all the States secured " The Constitution.
greater number of the friends Of he bill adopt broader
principle the foundation of thepoicy of noninterven
ton by Congress upon the slave qestion in the Terrific
ries Going back to the principe Of the Revolution,
they deny that Congress has any ht egsate for
any to interfere with thinternal affairs in
situations of the inhabitants OF hrrtory. They
tend that it belongs to them Inherent right. This
is the principle of popular sovereignty or the right of
sefgovernment extended to the pepe of the Terrific
ries and it is the principle upon witch the bill under
consideration is based If welloundd it seems to pre-
clude Congress from organizing government for them in
any FORM Of imposing any restriction qualifications
upon the absolute right of the inhabitants natives To-
regners to govern themselves under organic laws
they shall think best The suggestion this principle,
of the right of the people of the Terroies has given
rise to variety of incidental questions.
1t to be admitted by Of the adocates Of this
principle that Congress may legislate for he protection
of the inhabitants of Territory by organizing govern
ment for them and that then the power # Congress
ceases. Others contend that Congress should retain
general supervisory control Territorial legislation
but willing to concede the exclusive right establish
such domestic institutions they think proper The
honorable Senator from Michigan Mr. CAss) himself ad
mits the difficulty of determining the precise point
which all legislation by Congress relating to the Ter
ritories shall cease; and the inquiry to whether
any number of inhabitants, however SMALL nay be
safely allowed to settle all questions of Internal
policy is evidently one of great embarrassment
The distinguished Senator from Michigan regards
these and other like points questions for practical
solution by Congress, in the exercise Of
and sound discretion As to the questions which have
been mooted in relation to the source grant in the
Constitution from which derived any power Congress
to legsate for the Territories at ALL the best
undoubtedly that Congress has exercised the power
various FORMS from the foundation Of the Government
and that the power has been found both safe and
nent 1t would not be safe, at this day. to ltok too
closely into the question Of the power of Congress
the Territories for cannot 90 very far back until
find ourselves embarrassed by the acknowledged
sttutonay Of the purchase and annexation of the whole
territory coded to the United States by France Great
inconvenience may arise from the concession of the prn
of Territory Having the uncontrolled power of legs
atng they may grant charters of incorporation with
traordinary privileges create public debt and do many
other things which may be greatly injurious to the well
fare of the future State to which the Territorial govern
ment may give place but must take the risk of
legislation in the Territories it, from any cause be-
comes highly expedien and necessary to the general wei
fare of the country to do Those who hold to the doc
rine of the inherent right Of segovernment in the in
habiants will find difficulty, Of course, in applying
the principle of nonintervention to the Territories
leave it to the friends Of the bill to inquire whether its
provisions, it stands not in respects,
inconsistent with the principle upon which it is based.
If this measure shall appear to be as important to the
interests Of the country it's friends assume shall feel
no embarrassment arising from any Of the questions
which have just alluded, in giving my support to the
principle of non-nterventon embraced in the provisions
of the bill before the Senate think it is wise and
pedent principle for general application; and upon this
point 1t will be perceived that there is difference be-
tween myself and any of my Southern friends 1t is
new principle 1t the principle adopted in the
promise acts Of $780, and had my full concurrence and
support Bat in the application Of this principle to the
Territories proposed to be organized by this BILL in
der to give it free and unembarrassed operation it is
proposed to repeal the Missouri compromised and thus
great practical question is directly presented, and
which, above all Others claims the dspassionate rehec
ton and consideration of every Senator and every states
man Of the country, North South Is it wise, is it
exredient to disturb the Missouri compromise Does the
repeal OF the slavery restriction clause of the act of 1920
promise such important and benefcent results the
country that all objections should be yielded? ."
1t is contended with great earnestness by the friends
OF this measure that does give such promises and the
highest talents and ability of the Senate have been
ed TO prove that there nothing the circumstances
under which the Missouri compromise adopted or in
the subsequent history of the country connected with it,
which can be objected to its repeal propose to notice
briefly and fairly all the points suggested assumed in
the the friends think