Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-01-17

over sectional prejudice and the political
errors Of the lay, and the State OF Texas
returned to the Union as she wus, with So
cial institutions which her people had cho.
sen for themselves, and with express agree
rnent, by the re-annexing act, that she should
be susceptible Of subdivision into plurali-
ty of States.
Whatever advantages the interest of the
Southern States, as such, gained by this,
were far inferior ia results, as they unfold
ed in the progress of time, to those which
sprang from previous concessions made by
the South.
To every thoughtful friend Of the Union,
70 the true lovers Of their country, TO all
who longed aud labored Tor the full success
of this great experiment of republican in
Stituiions, il was cause Of graduation that
such an opportunity had occurred to illus
trate our advancing power on this continent
and to furnish to the world additional ASST
rance Of the strength and stability of the
Constitution. Who would wish to see Flor
ida still European colony? Who would
rejoice TO hail Texas as lone star instead
OF one in the galaxy of the StatesP Who
does not appreciate the incalcuabe benefits
Of the acquisition of louisiana And yet
narrow views and sectional purposes would
inevitably have excluded them all from the
Union.
But another struggle on the same point
epsued when our victorious armies return
ed from Mexico, and il devolved on Con-
gress TO provide for the territories acquired
by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The
great relations of the subject had now be-
come distinct and clear to the perception Of
the public mind, which appreciated the evils
of sectional controversy upon the question
OF the admission of new States. In that
crisis intense solicitude pervaded the nation.
But the patriotic impulses Of the popular
heart guided by the admonitory advice Of
the Father of his Country, rose superior 10
oil the difficulties Of the il corporation of
anew empire into the Union. In the coun-
sells of Congress there was manifested ex.
IRENE antagonism Of opinion and action be-
tween some representatives, who sought by
the abusive and unconstitutional employ
meut Of the Legislative powers Of the Gov
eminent, to interfere in the condition of the
inchoate States, and to impose their own
social theories upon the latter, and other
representatives,, who repealed the interposi-
ton of the General Government in this re-
spect, and maintained the self.constituting
rights of the States. In truth the thing at
tempted was in form alone, action of the
General Government, while in reality il
was the enleavor, by the abuse of legisla-
tive power, to force the ideas of internal
policy entertained in particular States apou
allied Independent States. Once more The
Constitution and the Union triumphed sig
nally. The new Territories were organized
without restrictions on the disputed point
and were thus left to Judge in that particu.
lar for themselves; and the sense of oonsti
tutional faith proved vigorous enough il
Congress not only to accomplish this prima.
ry object, but also the incidental and hardl,
less important one Of SO amending the pro
visions Of the statute for the extradition o
fugitives from service as to place that publ,
duty under the safeguard of the Genera
Government and thus relieve il from obsIa
Giles raised up by the Legislation of some o
States.
Vain defamation regarding the provision
Of the law for the extraditon of fugitive
from service with occasional episodes o
frantic effort TO obstruct their execution b,
riot and murder, continued for brief time
TO agitate certain localities. But the tru
principles of leaving each State and Terri
tory to regulate its own laws Of labor &c
cording to its own sense of right and expe
diency, had acquired fast hold of the publi
judgment to such degree that, by common
consent, it was observed in the organization
of the Territory of Washington.
When, more recently, il became requisite
TO organize the Territories of Nebraska ant
70 l. .
not the inevitable consequence of prevou
events and Legislation that the same grea
and sound principles which had alread
been applied to Utah and New Mexic
should be applied to them; that they shout,
stand exempt from the rcStritions proposer
in the act relative to the State of Missouri
These restrictions were, in the estimation
Of many thoughtful men, null from the be
ginning, unauthorized by the Constitution
contrary to the treaty stipulations for tn
cession of Louisiana, and inconsistent witt
the equality of the Safes.
They had been stripped of all moral all
thority by persistent efforts 10 procure thei
indirect repeal through contradictory enact
ments. They had been practically abroga
ted by the Legislation attending the organi
cation of Utah, New Mexico, and Wash
ington. If any vitality remained IN them i
would have been taken away in effect b,
the new Territorial acts in the form origi
naly proposed to the Senate at the first ses
sion of the last Congress. 1t was ingenu
GUS as we'll as patriotic and just to do thi
directly and plainly, and thus relieve tht
statute-bcolc of an act which might be o
possible future injury, but of no possible fu
ture benefit; and the measure of its repeal
was The final contamination and complet,
recognition of the principle that no porto,
Of the United States shall undertake, thro
assumption of the powers Of the Genera
Government, 10 dictate the social institution
Of any other portion.
The scope and effect of the language o
repeal were not left in doubt. It was de
clared in terms, to be "the true intent an,
meaning of this act not 10 legislate SLAYER,
s.,tn 4 \ I