The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-01-05

braska bill deny the ConStitutionality OF all
the regulations which exclude slavery from
the territories, and set at naught all the pre-
cedents that confirm them, which have fol-
lowed in uninterrupted succession, from the
foundation Of the government.
That other clause i'll the constitution, EN-
powerng congress to pass laws TO prevent
the " migration or importation" OF slaves
after 1903, shows the fixed purpose of the
founders of our Union 10 limit the increase
of this evil. The consequence was an.inhi-
biion, which prevents a South Carolina
planter, who has slaves in Cuba, from bring
ing them 10 his home plantation and to re-
move this obstruction 10 the increase of sla-
very within the Union, and open Africa to
supply the demand made by the new act, the
Northern nulifiers are already called on by
their Southern allies to lend their aid and
certainly those who embrace Mr.. Calhoun's
doctrine, as stated by Mr.Douglas, that " ev-
Iery citizen has an inallenable right to move
into any of the territories with his property,
of whatever kind or descriptions" the con-
stitution and compromises Notwithstanding
can hardly refuse it. 1t was on the annex
alton of the Mexican territories that Mr.
the fixed policy of the nation, beginning
!
/ dence and he applied it alike to the com
promises of 1920 and 1850. Mr. Douglas
thus sums up the position taken, and the re-
suit:
Under this section, as in the case of the
IMericun la,o in Neoo Merico and Utah, it is
disputed point whether slavery is prohibi-
! ted in the Nebraska country by valid enact
ment. The decision Of this question in
wolves the constitutional power of congress
pass laws prescribing and regulating the
domestic institutions of the various terrific
ries of the Union. In the opinion of those
eminent statesmen who hold that congress
is vested with no rghtful authority to legis-
late upon the sub ject Of slavery in the terri
tories, the eighth section of the act prepara
tory to the admission of Missouri is null and
void, while the prevailing sentiment in a
large portion of the Union sustains the doc
trne that the constitution of the United
States secures to every citizen an indliena-
bic right to move into any of the territories
with his property, of whatever. kind or de
scription, and to hold and enjoy the same
under the sanction of law. Your commit
tee do not feel themselves called upon to en-
ter into the discussion of these controvertet
questions. They involve the same grave is
sues which produced the agitation, the sec
tonal strife, and the fearful struggle of 1850.
From this it appears that the comprom
f ses of 1920 and 1850 involved the question
! of the validity of the law of Mexico ex
Guiding slavery from the newly ceded Mexi-
can territory, and the law Of our congress
: excluding it from that north of the line O
36 Q 30 Mr.. Douglass committee report rec
Commended that as /" congress deemed it wis
] and prudent to refrain from deciding tn,
/ matters in controversy. then, either b,
: affirming or repeating the Mexican laws, o
2 by an act declaratory of the true intent o
the constitution, and the extent of the pro
I lection afforded by it to slave property in tn
territories, SO your committee are not pre-
: pared now to recommend departure from
: the course pursued on that memorable occa
. sion, either by affirming or repeating tn
e eighth section of the Missouri act, or by al
| act declaratory of the meaning of the con