The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-01-25
WASHINGTON, ID. c..
Gbe Q5rrat Question.
GOV. CLARK. OF NEW YORK.

Governor Clark, OF New York, in his mes
sage to the Legislature, January sth, thus de
fines the position OF that State on the Slavery
Question. After mentioning in appropriate
terms the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
he proceeds:
BY this act, all the Territory of the United
States, with the exception Of Oregon, is opened
10 the extension Of Slavery. Against that ex.
tension. the State of New York has ALWAYS pro-
tested. In 1870 and in 1850, and whenever
the subject has been presented for Legislative
action, she has asserted the right and the duty
of that body which j. charged by the Constitu-
ton with the responsibility of making all need
ful rules and regulations for the territory of
the nited States, TO prohibit the extension OF
Slavery and the increase Of It's political power
The Missouri Compromise, which allowed its
introduction into the territory south of 360 So.
passed against her convictions of Justice
and Of sound policy: but she has ever remained
faithful to its provisions and hostile to its infringe
Inent or repeal. She had a right, therefore. to
expect from other States equal fidelity TO the
compact which it involved; and she has a right,
and IT is her duty. to demand a restoration OF
the Missouri line. rs one beyond which Slavery
shall not be permitted 10 pass: or, rather, as
required both by the Principle which called our
Nation into being and by the law upon which
IS conditioned its highest development, the total
exclusion of that anomalous institution from all
territory under the jurisdiction of the General
Government.
We have 10 wish, nor do we claim the right
10 interfere with Slavery in the States; but in
no wise do We transcend our prerogative a
member of the coniederacy, when we insist
that the Federal Government shall divest itself
for, an institution so repugnant to the general
sense of iustiee, and so hostile to the harmony
and ultimate prosperity of the country. 1t can
not have escaped the notice of the attentive
observer of oar governmental policy, that it
has. for MANY years departed widely from that
indicated by the founders of the RepubIc-viz:
the recognition of Slavery as an anomalous
Institution repugnant To all their cherished ideas
of the rights Of men. and sequentlv 10 be
localized, restricted 10 the narrowest possible
limits. and gradually extirpatcd by the growth
of those principles which form the basis of our
political edlce.
a. IT was an evil day for both North and South
when this policy was departed from, and the
powers of the General Government were per
verified TO the extending and naturalizing of
Slavery; to the uphodng of an institution
purely local in its character, at the expense Of
the interests of Freedom, which should he regard
ed as dominant and universal. 1t Is a Just
cause of complaint. on the paIt of New York,
that determinations should be made in our
National legislatiou. which tend to embarrass
our industrial enterprises, and deprive us of that
relative political influence that of right belongs
10 ms, by concessions 10 the slave States, which
neither comfy nor sound craftsmanship, nor
true regard for the interests of our country as
a whole, can for Il moment sanction.
sions, and sectional interests have been stimu-
lated into antagonism, and ill-feeling unworthy
of our fraternal character engendered; all of
which might have been avoided, had the Federal
Government adhered 10 lis original policy, as
good faith and Justice to al demanded. How
ever deeply the patriot deplore the agita-
tion growing out of the Slavery question, and
the alienation OF feeling consequent thereupon.
1t is in vain 10 expect that they can be allayed
by any legislation that ignores the moral senti-
ment OF our people, and ruptures long existing
compacts; or in short. by ANYTHING that falls
short of restoring Government 20 its origi-
nal policy upon that question.
=" have no hesitation, therefore. in express
ing the belief, that the peace and permanent
welfare Of the whole community rs we'll As the
political rights 81 this State, demand the resto-
ration of that prohibition of Slavery in Terrific
ries which was embodied in the Missouri Com
promise, and repealed by Congress at the last
session; and | recommend to the Legislature
the adoption of such measures as may tend
most eiectually to The promotion of that result:
TO the protection of the political rights of this
State against the further increase of slave rep
resentation in either branch of Congress. and
10 the restoration of that generous confidence
and mutual regard which are essential TO the
stability of that Union. upon which our respect
ability abroad and. our domestic welfare must
always largely depend