Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-16
POWER OF CONGRESS.

POWER OF CONGRESS.
The right or power of Congress to lcgislate
upon the subject of slavery in the Territories
has long beea an issue between the political
PARTIES, bat IS made more directly so at this
time than heretofore. 1t has been remarked
that the Constitution, like Holy Writ, has It's
sects; its High Church. its Low Church, its her
cites and its martyrs" Politicians appear to
construe that instrument in almost any manner
10 suit their own convenience, and in numerous
INSTANCES find fault with others for not doing
W-hat they told they have right to do, and
even themselves attempting to do what they
clnim they have right to do To illustrate:
Dir. Calhoun argued that Congress had pow
er of legislation over the Territories. and then
became exceedingly indignant at the people of
California because they did not wait for the
Legislative action of Congress Mr.. Douglas ar
Sued TINT the people of the Territories alone
had control of their domestic affairs, and then
advocated bill in the L. S. Senate repealing
portion of the local laws of Kansas. We know
OF ~ better way of ascertaining the meaning
OF the language used by the Constitution and
the powers i. intended to confer upon the Fed
eral Government, than to go back 20 the trainers
that Instrument and those with whom they
associated a. we'll as their immediate success
III national affairs.
la IN address of the southern delegates in
Congress in 1919. complaining of the then anti
slavery sentiment of the north, and the manner
the Territories were ruled and regulated by the
Federal Government relative to the extension
exclusion of slavery therein" we find the fol-
lowing sentence.
With few exceptions of no great Importance
the south had no reason to complain prior TO the
year 1919"
Even that address admitted that the Federal
Government had +" raatdand regulated the Ter
itories previous to 1919, and let US see how
On the 18th of July 1877, the Confederated
Congress passed Ordinance for the govern-
nent Of the territory northwest of the Ohio,
which declares" there shall be neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude in said territory, 9TH
erwise than for the punishment of crimes where
efthe party shall have been duly convicted"
On the eth Of August, 1889, the eighth act
passed by Congress after the adoption of the
Constitution, entitled, " An Act to provide
Tor the government of the Territory northwest
=
that. hercas, in order that the Ordinance of
the United States in Congress assembled, for
,he government of the Territory northwest of
The river Ohio. may continue to have full effect
J IS requisite that certain provisions should be
made, 50 to adapt the same to the Cons,itu-
iion of the United States Fhis act passed
Congress under the Constitution adopting the
Ordinance OF 1877, retaining the slavery resiric-
ton clause. as =" needful rule and regulation for
Inc Territory, and several of the members of
ne Congress of l1S7, who voted for the Ordi-
rance of July ID. were members of the conven-
ton that adopted and approved ofthe Constitu-
ton. and also of the Congress ofI7S9, and help
Cd so TO amend that Ordinance as tic adapt
the same to the Constitution of the United
states- Those men certainly understood the
language Of the constitution. and the powers it
was intended 10 confer upon the Federal Gov
ernment, and the south made no complaint %
the uneonstItutionali'v of the act.
North Carolina adopted the constitution after
the passage OF this act, Nor. y. 1884, and in
80 ceded to the United States the Territory
Tennessee. with the condition expressed tina,
Congress should make no regulation emaucipa-
e delegated to the L States by tie Constitu-
TIN, Congress accepts the Territory thus ceded.
ana with the exception of the condition men
toned, placed 1t under the rules and regulations
81 The Ordinance Of 1857 Is it reasonable 10
suppose that North Carolina would have e,ac.-
cd such condition. or that Congress vorld
have granted it. had pot both parties understood
HAT under the Constitution, the Federal Gov
eminent had the power? None but wise men
lnpute folly to lawmakers"
The Territory Of Mississippi which lad been
coded 20 the United States by Georgia, upon
ne same condition with Tennessee. was crean.
cd into Territory IL 1928. by an act of con-
: ess forbidding the importation of slaves from
without the United States under penalty Of
three hundred dollars, and TIE liberation Of the
slaves while Georgia, who ceded the Territory
= Tue limited States, enjoyed that privilege nm
III loe-. Thus we zee tina, one day a man u,aS
allowed to import slaves and bold them As pror.
tr'y' ard the next dav. by act Of Congress.
do.ng The sane 'lirs. lie IL zrl5.c,ed 70 81,