The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-01-10

ordinances, which provided for the govern
ment of the territory northwest of the river
Ohio, and for its eventual subdivisions into
new States, was adopted in the Congress ol
the confederation, it is not 10 be supposed that
the question Of future relative powef, as be-
tween the Steles which retained, and those
which did not retain, numerous colored
population, escaped notice, or failed to be
considered. And ye. the concession of that
vast territory 10 the iLtefesls and opinions Of
the northern Sta!es, territory Eow the seat
OF five among the largest members of the
Union, was, in great measure, the act of the
State Of Virginia and of the South.
When Louisiana was acquired by the Uni
ted States, it was an acquisition not less to the
North than to the South; for while il was i'm.
portant to the country at the mouth of the
river Mississippi to become the emporium Of
the country above il, SO also il was even
more importsnt 10 the new province, by rea-
| son OF its imperfect settlement, was mainly
regarded as on :ae Gulf Of Mexico, yet, in
fact, it extended 10 the opposite boundaries
OF the United States, with far greater breadth
above than below, and was in territory, as in
everything else, equally at last an accession
to the northern States. II is mere delusion
and prejudice, therefore, 10 speak of Louis.
lana as an acquisition In the special interest
ofthe South.
The patriotic and just men, who partiopa-
ted in the act, were influenced by motives
far above all sectional Jeaousies. II was in
truth the great event, which, by completing
for US the possession of the Valley of the
Mississippi, in exchange for large territory,
which the United States transferred 10 Spain
on the west side of that river, as the entire
diplomatic history of the transaction serves
to demonstrate. Moreover, it was an acqui.
silion demanded by the commercial interests
and the secnrity of the whole Union.
In the meantime, the people of the United
States had grown up 10 proper conscious.
ness of their strength, and in brief contest
with France, and in second serious war
with Great Britain, they had shaken off all
which remained of undue reverence for Eu.
rope, and emerged from the atmosphere of
those transatlantic influences which surroun.
ded the infant Republic, and had begun 10
turn their attention 10 the full and systematic
Development Of the internal resources of the
Union.
Among The evanescent controversies of that
period, the most conspicuous was the aues.
tlon of regulation by Congress Of the social
condition of tho future S,ates 10 bo founded
in the territory Of louisiana.
This ordinance 70. the government of the
territory northwest of The river Ohio had con-
tanned provision, which prohibited the use
of servie labor thetein, subject to the cond-
tion of the exradition of fugitives from SER
vice due in any other part of the United
J States. Subsequently 10 the adoption of the
constitution, this provision ceased to remain
as law; for lis operation as such was abso-
lutely superseded by the constitution. But
the recollection of the fact excited the zeal OF
socia! propagandism in some sections of the
confederation; and, when a second State,
that OF Missouri, came 10 be formed in the
territory of Louisiana, proposition was made
10 extend 10 the latter territory the restriction
originally applied 10 the country situated be-
tween the rivers Ohio and Mississippi.
Most questionable as was thrs proposition
in all its constitutional relations, nevertheless
it received the sanction of Congress, with
some slight modification OF line, 10 save the
existing right of the intended new State. 1t
was reluctantly acquiesced by the southern
States as sacrifice as 10 the cause of peace
and of the Union, NOT only of the rights slip.
ulated by the treaty Of Louisiana, but of the
principle of equality among the States guar.
antied b. the Constitution. II was deceived
by,h northern States with angry and resent
ful condemnation and complaint, because il
did not concede oil which they had exacling-
ly demanded. Having passed through the
forms of legislation it took it's place in the
statute book, standing open to repeal, like
any Older act Of doubtful consliutionality
subject to be pronounced null and void by
the courts of law, and possessing no possible
efficacy 10 control the rights of the States
which might thereafter be organized oul
of any part of The original territory of Louis.
lana e
In all this, If any aggression there were
any innovation upon pre-exisling rights, to
which portion Of the Union are they ins,ly
chargeabls?
The controversy passed away with the oc
casion, nothing surviving ii save the dor
mant letter Of the statute.
But, long afterwards, when by the propo.
sed accession of the Republic of Texas, the
Uniied States were TO take their next step ia
territorial greatness, similar contingency
occurred, and becsms the occasion for sys
iematized attempts 10 intervene in The do
meslic affairs Of one section of the Union, in
defiance of their rights as States, and of ihs
siipulaiions of the constitution. These at
tempis assumed practical direction, IN the
shape of preserving endeavors, by some o
The reuresentativee IN boih hauaea of Cr,n