The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-12-10

Not TO those of the North, who had repeal-
edly refused TO confirm Il by extension, and
who had zealously slrivsn TO establish other
and incompatible regulations upon the sub
jsct. And il, as It thus appears, the suppo-
sed compact had no obligatory force as to
the North, of course il could not have had
any as TO the South, for all such compacls
must be mutual and Of reciprocal obliga-
ton.
II has not unftequently happened tha. law
giyers, with undue estimation of the value
of the law They give, or in the view Of i'm
parting to il peculiar strength, make il per-
peiual in terms; but they cannot thus bind
the conscience, The judgment and the will
of those who may succeed ihem, invested
with similar rcsPon sTpsisIsss s1u clsfhAa
with equal authority. More careful investi-
CATION may prove the law to be unsound in
principle. Experience may show it 10 be
imperfect in delall and impracticatle in exc
culion. And then both reason and right
combine not merely to justify, but 10 require
it's repeal.
The Constitution, supreme as il s over all
the departments of the government, Iegis-
lalive executive and Judicial, is open 10
amendment BY its very terms; and Congress
or the States may, 10 their discretion, pro-
pose amendment 10 il, solemn compact
though il in truth is between the sovereign
States Of the Union. In the present instance
political enactment, which had ceased 10
have legal power or authority of any kind,
was repealed. The position assumed, that
Congress has no moral right 10 enact such
repeal was strange enough, and singularly 30
in view of the fact that the argument came
from those who openly REFUSED obedience TO
existing laws of the land, having the same
popular designation and quality as compro-
mise acts--nay, more, who unequlvocalIy
disregarded and cond emped the most posi-.
tive and obligatory injunc,ions OF lhesCon-
sttulion itself, and sought, by every means
within their reach, TO deprive portion of
their fellow citizens of The equal enjoyment
Of those rights and privileges, guaranteed
alike to all by the fundament al compact of
our Union.
This argument against the repeal of the
statute line in question, was accompanied
by another Of coneenial character, and equal
ly with ine former destitute of foundation in
reason aud truth. Itwas imputed that the
measure originated in the conce rtion Of ex-
tending ths limits Of slave lab or beyond those
previously assigned to H. and ID az sach was
its natural as well as iotsated effect ard
these baseless assumptions were made, in
the Northern States, the ground OF unceasing
assault upon constitutional right
The repeal in terms of s.atuis, which
was already obsolete, and also null for un-
cons,iiutionalily, could have no influence to
obstruct or promote the propagation Of con.
flicting views of political or social institution
When the act organizing the Territories of
Kansas and Nebraska was passed, the nhe-
rent effect upon that poslion Of the public do.
main thus open 10 legal settlement, was 10
admit settlers from all the States of tue Union
alike, each with his convictions of public
policy and private interest, there 10 found in
their discretion, subject to such Limitations
as the Constitution and acis of Congress
might prescribe, new States, hereafter to be
admitted into the Union. II was free field,
open alike TO oil, whether the statute line OF
assumed restriction were fepealed or no..---.
That repeal did not open offee competition
of the diverse OF opinions and domestic in
stitutions field, which, without such repeal,
would have been closed sgains, them; it
found that field of composition already open
ed, in fact and in law. ALI the repeal did
was to relieve the staiute.book of an o5jec-
tionable enactment, unconstitutional in effect,
ard injurious 10 terms to large portion Of
the States. o-u4 e.
Is it the fac, that, in oil the unsettled re-
gions Of the United States, il emigration be
left free to act in this respect for ITSELF with
out legal prob ibitions on either slde,, slave
la5or will spontaneously go everywhere In
preference 10 free labor il is the fact that
the peculiar domestic institutions Of The
southern States possesses relatively 50 much
of vigor It at, wherssoevsr an svenus is ftes-
ly open to all the world, they will pene,rale
10 the exclusion of those Of the northern
S,atoss Is il the fact that The former enjoy,
compared with the latter, such irresistably
superior vitality, independent of climate,
soil, and all other accidental circumstances,
as to be ableto produce the supposed result,
in spite Of the assumed moral and natural
obstacles % its accomplishment and of the
more numerous population of the northern
States h &
The Argument Of those who advocate the
enactmect Of the new laws Of restriction, aud
condemn the repeal Of old ones, in effect
ayers that their particular views Of govern
meni have no self-exteuding OF self-sus,ain.
ing power Of their own, and will GO nowhsrs
unless forced by act of Congress. And i
Congress do not pause for . moment in the
policy Of sterL coercion; il II venture 10 Try
the experiment Of leaving tnsnto Judge fol
themselves wha. institutions viii best sui
hem; If il be no, strained up to perpetual
eg,sla.ivs exenion on this point; If Con
gress PROCEED thus to act 10 theryery spirit O
| liberty, II is OF once charged with aiming it
extend slave labor into all The new Terrific
ries OF The United Slaies.
1 <,r xscfs.-- Il -