Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-08-12
STATE EQUALITY.

Since the doctrine Of " State Equality" has
become one OF the cardinal principles of the So
called democracy, 1t becomes every voter to IN
derstand what is meant by the term. So far as
it relates To the rights of the citizens OF all the
States to enjoy equal privileges in the Terrific
ICES OF the United States, 1t is very well; but
when 1t is applied to the right ofextending sla-
~ery into those Territories, it becomes quite as
great humbug as thai of "sqratter sovereign
y, 50 recently repudiatea by tie party with
whom 1t originated. Those who advocate tie
rig-t OF Citizens Of slave States 10 carry their
slaves inio the Territories, and give Il reason
- ~ those slaves aIe propeEiy,-as cattle and
iafses are considered property IN the Northern
ofGtea, instead Of advocating State Equality"
are Claiming fur the citizens of TIE Slave States
superiority OF privilege over those of the tree
States. The citizens of all the States have equal
rights III the Territories winch right extends To
the enjoyment of their property, or that which
me avs OF all the States recognize as property;
but as slavery exists only by special law, and
that law only local, the carrying Of Slaves into
the Territories is not carrying property alone
but the local laws 6y which that species of
property exists. That the citizens of Missouri
or Virginia should enjoy the same privileges OF
holding property in TIC Territories as the citi-
zens of Wisconsin or Vermont, cannot be doubt
ed, but that either have the right TO carry with
them and enjoy when in the Territories the
privileges of the local laws Of those States, is
absurd in the highest degree, for if such were
the case, each neighborhood would claim to be
governed by its own peculiar laws. Granting
IN he 10, to hnIj lf.r -
itories, is therefore granting to her a superiori-
~ over, and not an equality with, the North.
There are other advantages which the exist
encs Of slavery in the Territories give to the
South over their brethren Of the North When
ever Territories becomes subject 10 settlement
1t IS well known that the emigration to those
Territories consists in great degree Of laboring
men -emigran;s-and those WHO have not She
means for purchasing homes in the older states
men who 60 there because they expect TO Oh
tain good farms or com. rtable homes at low
prices, aud in not 4 few instances, persons who
have but little means left after arriving At their
new homes. Such meE are willing to work
and are just the kind OF settlers 10 make new
country prosperous. Where slavery exists, how
ever. the laborin- man Is degraded 10 a level
with toe slave, and hes no chance or prospect OF
becoming what lie might be in a free State
Slave labor and free labor cannot exist and pros
per IN the same locality, Consequently the free
emgrant Is forced to seek a home where lie can
enjoy equal rights and equal privileges with his
rich nelg!ibor Enigrants from the free States
are thus kept out Of the Territories where sla-
very exists, which Is giving the South another,
and great advantage over tie North.
Sill another reason exists Why slave State
has superiority over free State to-wit: the
ratio OF representation. Although it is claimed
that slaves are property. they are kind of prop
e.ty which Is considered far superior TO anv
property held in the free States. and gives to
the slave States an undue advantage over the
free States in Congre -. In ascertaiaing the aC-
gregate of representa- i've population Of the Uni
ted States, three ifths Of al the slaves are add
ea 20 the number Of free inhabitants in all the
States where slavery exists. So that while they
are called property, five slaves count the same
as three treemcn. in aPpor,ioning the members
ot the House of Representatives which is not
the case with any property held in the free
States Look a the unequal representation in
Congress at this time, caused by this sla,1 prom
sF'y. The present House of Representatives
consists u aSi members. OF that number / II
are from flee States and 80 from slave States
he population Of toe free States il 1850 was
l3,23s.67, and The free population of the slave
States. olS5.4i1. or less than half that OF The
iFee States. An equal representation from the
Zee states would give item Io3 instead of III
members Of Congress.
Butt show this disproportion sill more clear.
r. let Us take some of the States serara,ely-
Wisconsin With population of 304.7 a6. As :
representatives in Congress, while M.ssis>inpi
with bur AIS. has i've. Soutl Caroline
VIII : a.'63. las Elk. I'd others in similar "a