Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01

facts Of the political organization Of the Territories Of
the United States
What is the voice of history When the ordnance
which provided for the government Of the territory
northwest of the river Ohio, and for il. eventual sub
division into new States, adopted in the Congress
Of the confederation il not to be supposed that the
question Of future relative power the States
which retained and those which did RETAIN a nu-
coored population, escaped notice. or failed TO
be considered And yet the concession Of vast terri
tory the interests and opinions of the northern States
territory the seat OF hive among the largest members
Of the Union, great measure the OF the State
OF Virginia and OF the South
When Louisiana was acquired by the United States it
acquisition less to the North than the South
for while important to the country the mouth Of
the river Mississippi to become the emporium Of the
try above it, SO also il important the
whole Union to have that emporium and although the
province, by Of its imperfect ement was
mainly regarded the Gulf Of Mexico, yet fact it
extended to the opposite boundaries of the United States
with far greater breadth above than below, and was in
territory as in everything else, equally least
sion to the northern States 1t is deusion and pre-
udce therefore, to speak of Louisiana acquisition in
the special interest of the South.
The patriotic and just who participated in that act
were influenced by motives far above all sectional ea
ouses. 1t in truth the great event, which, by com
pleng for the possession of the valley of the Msss
spp with commercial to the Gulf of Mexico inn
parted unity and strength to the whole confederation and
attached together by ndssolube ties the East the
West, well as the North and the South.
As to Florida that but the transfer by Spain the
United States Of territory the side of the river
Mississippi in exchange for large territory which the
United States transferred Spain the side of that
rver the entire diplomatic history Of the transaction
to demonstrate. Moreover, it acquisition
demanded by the commercial interests and the security of
the whole Union.
In the meantime the people of the United States had
grown to proper consciousness of their strength
in brief contest with France, and second serious war
with Great Britain, they had shaken off all which remained
OF undue reverence for Europe and emerged from the
mophere of those Transatlantic influences which surround
ed the infant Republic and had begun turn their aten
ton to the full and systematic development of the internal
| resources of the Union.
Among the Of that period the
most conspicuous was the question of regulation by Con-
gress of the social condition Of the future to be
founded in the territory Of Louisiana.
Tho ordinance tor the government of the territory north
west Of the river Ohio had contained provision which pro-
hbed the of servle labor therein subject to the con-
dton of the exradton of fgtives from service due in
any other part Of the United States subsequently to the
adoption Of the constitution, this provision
main as law for its operation such absolutely
superseded by the constitution. But the recollection of
the fact excited the zeal Of social propagandm some
sections of the confederation and, when second State
that of Missouri be formed in tho territory of
louisiana proposition made to extend the latter
territory the restriction originally applied to the country
situated between the rivers Ohio and Mississippi.
Most questionable this proposition all its con-
sttuona relations, nevertheless it received the sanction
of Congress- with slight notifications of line ito save
the existing rights of the intended State
lnctantly acquesced in by southern States sacrifice
to the of peace and of the Union not only of the
rights stipulated by the treaty Of louisiana but of the
principle of equality among the States guaranteed by tho
constitution 1t was received by the northern States
with angry and resentfu condemnation and complaint,
because it did not concede all which they had exactinpy
demanded. Having passed through the forms of egsa-
tion took its place the statute book standing open
repeal like any other act of doubtful constitutionaty
subject to be null and void by the courts of
law and possessing possible efficacy control the
rights of the States, which might thereafter be organized
out of any part of the original territory of Louisiana
In all this if aggression there were any innovation
upon preexstng rights to which portion tae Union
they justly chargeab!e'
surviving it save tho dormant letter of the
But long afterwards when by the proposed accession of
the Republic OF exas the United States take their
next step IN territorial greatness similar contingency
CURED, and became the occasion for systematzed
tcmps to intervene in the domestic affairs of section
of the Union in defiance of their rights States and of
the stpulatons Of the constitution These attempts
sumed practical direction in the shape Of perseveng
deavos by of the representatives in both houses Of
Congress- to deprive the southern States Of tho
benefit OF the provisions OF the act authorizing the organ
ization Of the State Of Missouri.
But the good Of the people, and the vital force of
the constitution triumphed sectional prejudice and
the political Of the day. and the State of Texas
turned to the Union she with social institutions
which her people had chosen for themselves and with
agreement by the reannexng that she should
be susceptible of subdivision in to plurality of States.
Whatever advantage the interests Of the Southern States
as SUCH gained by this far inferior in results they
unfoded IN the progress Of time those which sprang
from previous concessions made by the South
To every thoughtful friend of the Union Ito the true
lovers of their countyto all who longed and abored
the full Of this great experiment of republican
stituonst Of graduation that such oppor
tunity had occurred TO illustrate advancing power
this continent and TO furnish the world additional
of the strength and stability Of the constitution
Who would wish TO Florida still European colony
Who would rejoice to hail Texas lone STAR instead of
in the galaxy Of States Who does not appreciate
the ncacuabe benefits of the acquisition of Louisiana
And yet views and sectional purposes would nevi
taby have excluded them all from the Union.
But another struggle the point ensued when our
victorious armies returned from Mexico and il devolved
Congress TO provide for the territories acquired by the
treaty of Guadalupe Hdaoo The great relations Of the
subject had become distinct and clear the percep
ton of the public mind which appreciated the evils of
onal controversy upon the question of tho admission Of
States In that crisis intense socude pervaded the
nation But the patriotic impulses of the popular heart,
guided by the admonitory advice Of tine Father Of his
Country superior TO all the difficulties of the incopo-
ration of empire into the Union In tho counscs Of
Congress there manifested extreme antagonsm Of
opinion and action between representatives, who
sought by the abusive and unconstitutional employment Of
the legislative powers Of the government interfere
the condition Of the inchoae States and 10 impose their
social theories upon the latter and other
ves, who repealed the nerposon Of the general govern
mcnt in this respect and maintained the selfconsutinp
rights Of the States In truth the thing attempted was
in form alone action Of the general government while in
reality IL the endcavor, by abuse Of legislative power
to force the ideas Of internal policy entertained in
lar States upon allied independent States Once moro
the constitution and the Union triumphed signay. The
Territories organized without restrictions on the
disputed point and thus left TO Judge that partc-
uar for themselves and the OF constitutional faith