Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-05-18

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 first territorial ordinance; we had
uniform method of providing for the gov
ernment of territories, all founded upon the
clause in the Constitution which authorises
Congress to dispose of, and make rules and
regulations respecting the territory and
property of the United States. This mode
of government has consisted of three grades
all founded in the right of Congrass to gov
ern them. First grade: Governor and
Judges, appointed by the United States,
to adopt laws from other states, to be in force
until disapproved by Congress. Second
grade: territorial legislature, when the in
habitants shall amount 10 five thousand men
above the age Of twenty zone, composed Of
council partly appointed by the United
States and House of Representatives, ,eec-
ted by the people at the rate of one repre-
sentative Tor every five hundred voters, its
Legislation subject to the approval of Con-
gress. 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 10 it.
THE rRETExT OF QUITTING THE SLAVERY
And now, what is the excuse for all this
disturbance of the country: this breaking up
of ancient compromises; arraying one half
Of the Union against the other, and destroy
ing the temper and business of Congress-
What is the excuse for all this turmoil and
mischief We are told it is TO keep the
question Of slavery out of Congress. Great
God! Ii was out Of Congress. completely.
entirely, and forever out of Congress, un-
less Congress dragged it in by breaking down
the sacred laws which settled it. The ques-
tion 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 a compromise. The ordinance
of 'S9 settled it in all the remaining part Of
the northwest territory beyond Wisconsin:
the compromise line of SO deg, 80 min., set
tied it in all country north and west of Mis-
souri, 10 the British line, and up 10 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
governments of Utah and New Mexico set-
tied it in the two territories. the compact
with Texas determining the. number Of slave
States TO be formed out of that State, settled
it there: and California settled it for her
self. Now, where was there an inch square
oc territory within the United States on
which the question could be raised? No
where! Not an inch! The question was
settled everywhere, not merel Y by law but
by fact. The work was done, and there was
no way to get at the question but by undoing
the work! No way for Congress TO get the
question in, for the purpose of keeping it
out, but TO break down compromises which
kept il out.
HOW CAN IT BENEFIT TIE SLAVE STATES?
What advantage do the Slave States ex-
pect from this bill? Certainly they expect
the extension of slave power and slave popu-
lation. That may prove iallacious eN-
pectation. The question OF Slavery in these
Territories, if thrown open to territorial ac-
ton, will be a question Of numbers and a
question of the majority against Slavery, and
what chance would the Shareholders have in
such contest? No chance at all. The slave
emigrants will be outnumbercd, and COM
PEELED to play at a most unequal game, not
only in point of numbers but also in point
Of stakes. The stakeholder stakes his pro-
perty and has TO run it off or lose it if out
voted at the polls. l see nothing which
Shareholders are to gain under this bill
nothing but an unequal and vexatious con.
test in which they are to be losers. de.
precate such a contest, and did my best tc
keep it out of the State of Missouri when heI
Constitution was formed.
Twas not member of the convention, but
was chief promoter Of the clause which for.
bid the Legislature 10 emancipate slave.
without the consent oftheir owners. l pro-
NOTED that clause for the sake fpeace-fol
the sake of keeping the slavery question OIL
of her elections and lcgsation-for the SAX,
of preventing perpetual strife among The
people. What did for Missouri, woulC
do for the territories, and if it was an oper
question would vote one way or the other Il
settle it; but it is not an open question! ant
cannot be opened without breach of faith
and the destruction of the peace Of the coun
try.
IT'S UNFAIR TO THE NORTH.
Sir, the question has been decided. Tn