Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-01-02

Vi uhuue reverence Tor Europe and emerged from
the atmosphere of those transatlantic influences
which surrounded the infant Republic, aud had
begun to turn their attention to the full and sys-
trtnatic development ofthe internal resources of
the Union.
Among the cvanescent controversies of TINT
period, the most conspicuous was the question Of
regulation by Congress of the social condition of
the future States to be founded in the territory
of Louisiana. "
The ordinance for the government of the er.t
ritory n"rih-we-t of the river Ohio had contained
n provision which prohibited the use of servile
ll61r therein, subject to the condition of the ex-
tradition If fugitives from service due in any other
part of the United States. Subsequently to the
adoption of the constitution, this provision ceas-
ed to remain as a law. for its operation as such
was absolutely superseded by the constitution
But the recollection of the fact excited the zeal
Of social propagandism in some sections of the
confederation; and when a second State-that of
Missouri came to he formed in the territory of
Louisiana. proposition was made tn extend 10 the
latter territory the restriction originally applied
to the country situated between the rivers Ohio
and Mississippi.
Most unq fashionable as was this proposition
in al. its constitutional rela tions, nevertheless it
received the sanction of Congress-, with some
slight notifications of line, to save the existing
rights of the intended new State. 1t was relnct-
antly acquiesccd in by southern States as a sa-
crifice to the cause of peace ana of The Union
not only of the rights stipulated by the treaty
of Louisiana. but OF the principla of equality
among the States guaranteed by the constitution.
1t was received by the northern States with angry
and resentful condemnation and con plant, be-
cause it did not concede all which they had ex-
actingly demanded.
Having passed through the forms of legisiation
it took its place n;the statute book, standing open
to repeal, like any other act of doubtful consti'
tnti- 49, 1., -, - - $50 ,,,, .1 ,bll aud ,,AtI
hv the courts of law, and possessing no possible
efficacy 10 control the rights of the States. which
might thereafter be organized out OF any of the
original territory of Louisiana.
In all this, if any aggression there were, any inno-
walton upon pre-existing rights, to which portion OF
the Union are they justly chargeable2
This controversy passed away with the occasion,
nothing surviving it save the dormant letter of the
statute.
But, long afterwards, when, by the proposed ac-
eessiou Of the Republic of Texas, the United States
were to take their next step in territorial greatness,
a similar contingency occurred, and became the oc-
casion for systematized attempts to intervene in the
domestic Affairs of one section Of the Union, in def
ance Of their rights as States, and Of the stipulatlons
of the Constitution. These attempts assumed a prac-
teal direction, in the shape ofpcrseyering cndeayors,
by some of the representatives in both Houses Of
Congress, to deprive the Southern States of the sup
posed benefit of the provisions of the act authorizing
the organization Of the State of Missouri.
But the good sense Of the people and the vital
force of the Constitution t%riumphed over sectional
prejudice and the political errors of the day, aud the
State of Texas returned to the Union as she was, with
social institutions which her people had chosen for
themselves, and with express agreement 10y the re-
annexing act, that she should be susceptible OF sub
division into a plurality OF States.
Whatever advantage the interests of the Southern
States, as such, gained by this, were far inferior in
results, as they untolded in the progress OF time, TO
those which sprang from previous concessions made
by the South.
To every thoughtful friend of the Union--to the
true lovers OF their country-to all who longed and
laborcd for the full success Of this great experiment
of republican nstitutions-it was cause of gTatnla-
ton that such an opportunity had occurred &c illus
trate our advancing power on this continent, and to
furnish to the world additional assurance OF the
strength and stability of the Constitution. Who
would wish to see Florida still a European colony Z
Who would rejoice to hail Texas as a lone sits r :, in
stead of one in the galaxy of States Who does not
appreciate the iucalculable benefits of the acc uisi-
ton of louisiana? And vet narrow views and Sec
tional purposes would inevitably have excluded them
from the Union.
But another struggle on the same point ensued
when our victorious armies returned from Mexico,
and it devolved on Congress to provide for the terri
tories acquired by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo-
The great relations of the subject had now become
distinct and clear to the perception of the public
mind, which appreciated the evils of sectional con-
troversy upon the question Of the admission of new
States. la that crisis intense solicitude peryaded
the nation. But the patriotic impulses OF the popu-
lar heart, guided by the admonitory advice of the
Father of His Country, rose superior to all the dill
culties of the incorporation of n new empire into the
Union. In the counsels of Congress there was man
Tested extreme antagonism Of opinion and action be-
tween some representatives,, who sought by the ahu-
siye and unconstitutional employment of the legisla-
tive powers of the government to interfere in the con-
dition Of the inchoate States, ana to impose their
own social theories upon the latter and other repre-
s~enthtives who repealed the interposition of the gen
eral government in this respect, and maintained the
self-constituting rights of States. In truth, the thing
attempted was, in form alone, action of the general
government, which in reality it was the endeavor, by
abuse of legislative power, TO force the IDEAS OF IN
teraal policy, entertained in particular States, upon
allied independent States. Once more the Constltu-
ton and Union triumphed signally. The new Terri
tories were organized without restrictions on the dis
puted point, and were thus left to judge in that par
ticular for themselves; and the sense OF constitution
al faith proved vigorous enough in Congress not only
to accomplish this primary object, but also the mel
dental and hardly less important one. OF 50 amending
the provisions of the statute for the cXtradition of
f4Qitiyes from service. as 20 place that public duty
under the safeguard OF the general government, and
thus relieve from obstacles raised mp Is the le9lsla-
ton of some Of the States.
Vain defamation regarding the provisions of law
for toe extradition of tugitiyes from service, with oc-
,asional episodes of frantic effort 10 obStruct their
execution hv riot and murder, coGtiured Tor q orie1
Time 10 ngitate certain localities. But the true prln-
ciple Of leaving each State and Territory to regulate
irs own laws of labor according to its own sense OF
right and expediency, had acquired fast hoid OF the
public Judgment, to such a degree, that, ny common
consent il was observed in the organization OF the
Territory Of Washington.
When, more recently, il became requisite to organ
iza the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, it was
the natural and legitimate, if not the inevitable, con-
sequence of previous events and legislation, that me
same great and sound principle, which had already
! been applied to Utah and New Mexico, should be APP
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