Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-08-09
From the Cincinnati Times.

TIE PoLITIcAL RELATIONS OF SLAVE
RY AND ANT1-SLAvERY SINCE THE MIS-
SOURI, CoMPRoMIsE.-While politicians
are endeavoring, by inhammatory ap-
peals--both in the North and South-to
excite sectional prejudices, on the SUBJ
ject of slavery, it will be well to see how
the Free and Slave States really stand
to one another, and whether either has
any great reason to complain. There
are matters Of fact and principles of the
Constitution, which, to say the least,
have some bearing on this controversy,
and which seem not to be sufficiently re-
garded.
I. The Constitution did not REQUIRE
that new States should be admitted, but
simply said, that tnew States MAY be
admitted" The thirteen original States
that composed the Union, reserved to
themselves the right to admit new
States, and on what condition they pleas
ed. Hence, it is not debatable point,
whether Congress may reject the appli-
cation of a new State; for THAT POWER
IS UNCoNDITIoEABLY VESTED IN CON-
GREss. The first case which arose for
admission, did not raise any question as
to policy or power. Vermont was an
outstanding district, which really par
took in the conflict of the Revolution
1t was admitted February, 1891. Ken
lucky, the Western District of Virginia,
stood in the same predicament, and was
admitted in the same month. Tenues-
see was formed out of part of North
Carolina, and admitted June, 1906
Thus precedents were established of fu-
ture States, both Slave and Free.
In this manner nine States, viz: Yer
mont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Lou
isiana, Indiana. Illinois, Mississippi and
Alabama, were admitted before the Mis-
souri, question arose. Now, it will be
observed, that prior to this period,
(1890) there was no real opportunity
to raise a question on the subject ol
slavery. Vermont, Kentucky and Ten
nessee were admitted, as part of the
Revolutionary Territory. Ohio, Indi'
ana and Illinois were admitted as Free
States, under the ordinance of 1871
passed before the Constitution wai
adopted. Mississippi and Alabam;
were part of the original Territory o
Georgia, and Louisiana came in unde
the Treaty with France. The debata
Bile question on the subject of slavery
could only arise.
las 10 the new territory acquired
by purchase from France; and, Second
E-As to any new territory which tn
United States Government should here
after acquire.
Accordingly, the question OF restrict
ing slavery arose, on the application o
Missouri, which was formed out of tn
nesO territory purchased from France
The stand was taken, at once, that Mis-
souri, should not come in with slavery
That point, however, was lost. and tn
Missouri Compromise passed, which re
stricted slavery to the territory south {
the latitude of Sod. SON., and whic
compromise has been violated by tb
Nebraska bill. Maine, which had ar
piled for admission, was kept back fc
Missouri; and they were admitted t
getber. Thus, upto the Missouri Con
promise-there were eleven new STATE
admitted, ofwhieh five were free Statt
and six slave Satisfying two mol
Senator's to the Slave than the Fri
States.
2-This being the case up to 189
how stand the relations of the Slave al
Free States, since the Missouri Compr
misc?
Since 1921, there have been admits
seven States. viz: Michigan, Arkansa
Florida. Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas al
California; of which four are FIR
States, and three Slave States. Sin
the Missouri Compromise, therefor
the Free States have gained-and o
ing to the existing condition of the Tt
ritories, they must Join in the future.
Supposing for the argument, that Ia
sas IS a Free State-hoW stand the ot
ers? Nebraska, Minnesota, North-w'
Territory, Oregon, Washington, M
Mexico and Utah, viii all be Free Stat
Should two more States be formed G
of Texas, as originally intended, t
Western one viii be Free State. K
the case out to the end, and it is palI
ble that the Slave States have alrea
lost the battle. There is nothing
contend for. and nothing to be jealc
about. There is no turn Of the politi
wheel which can again give politi