The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-01-25


r;torv northwest Of the river Ohio had contain
ed provision, which prohibited the use OF SER
vile labor therein, subject to the condition OF the
extraditions oi fugtivps from service due in any
other part ofthe United States. Subsequently
to the adoption oi the constitution, this Provls-
ion ceased to remain as law ; Tor IFS operation
as such was absolutely superseded by the constr
tution. But the recollection ofthe fact excited
the zeal Of social propagandisn in some sections
of the confederation and, when second State
that Of Missouri, came to be formed in the terri
tory of Louisiana, proposition was made TO ex-
tend 10 the latter territory the restriction origin
ally applied to the country situated between
/ the rivers Chic and Mississippi.
/ Most questionable as was this proposition IN
1 all lis constitutional relations, nevertheless II
received The sanction of Congress, with some
slight modification of line, to save the existing
/ rights ofthe intended new State. 1t was reluc-
tantly acquescpd in by southern States as sac
4 Ir5fice to the cause of peace and of the Union,
not only of the rights stipulated by the treaty
of Louisiana, but Of the principle OF equal
ity among the States guaranteed by the consti-
tuition. It was received by the northern States
with angry and respntful condemnation and
complaint. because it did not concede all which
they had txactingly demanded Having pass
ed through the forms of legislation, II took It's
place IN the statute book, standing open to re-
peal like any Other act of doubtful constitution
alilv, subject 10 be pronounced null and void
by the courts of law, and possessing no possible
efficacy to control the rights of the States which
might thereafter be organized oGt Of any part OF
the original territory OF Louisiana.
In all this, if any aggression there were, any
ii n which
portion Of the Union are they justly chafSra-
f bic?
This controversy passed away with the oc-
casion, nothing surviving il save the dormant
letter Of the statute
, But, long afterwards, when, by the proposed
r accession Of the republic of Texas, the United
States were to take their next step in territorla
! greatness similar contingency occurred, anc
> became the occasion for systematIzed attempt!
10 intervene in the domestic affairs OF one sec
: ton of the Union, in defiance OF their rights
States and of the stipulationS of the constitution
? These attempts assumed a practical direction
in the shape of pprsevering endeayors by SOM
: of the representatives IN both houses Of Congres
if to deprive the southern States Of the suppose
n .beneht of the provisions OF the act authorizing
= #fhe organization of the State of Missouri.
= ,,Rp Rpi to. the 5g5nad seRse 2! the peopleease u
d sectional prejudice, and the political errors {
II the day, aud the State of Texas returned TO tn
= Union as she was, with social institutions whic
: her people had chosen for themselves, and wit
} express agreement, by the re-annexing act, the
II she should be susceptible of subdivision into
plurality Of States.
e Whatever advantage the interests of tn
II Southern States, as such, gained by this, wer
d far inferior in results, they uniolded in th
s, progress OF tune, 10 those which sprang fror
l. previous concessions made by the South.
IF To every thoughtful friend otthe Jnlon-t
IS the true lovers Of their country-to all wh
}. longed and labored for the iul! success OF th
F. great experiment of republican institutions
l. was cause Of graduation that such all oPportun
is ty had occurred to illustrate our advancing pow
Y rr on this continent, and 10 furnish TO the worl
IS additional assurance OF the strength and stabl
ct tv ofthe constitution. Who would wish to Sc
Florida still European colony? Who woul
ID rejoice to hail Texas as a lone star, instead {
le one in the galaxy of States Who does II,
n appreciate the incalcula5e benefits of the al
pr QUESTION of Louisiana And yet narrow view
n and sectional purposes would inevitably hay
ut excluded them all tromthe Union.
I'd But another struggle on the same point Ell
n sued, when our victorious armies returned fro
IN Mexico, and il devolved on Congress to provit
TO for the territories acquired by the treaty Of Gu
5. dalupe Hidalgo. The great relations olthe su
I'd iect had now become distinct and clear 10 Il
ly perception oil the public mind which appreci
il ted the evils Of sectional controversy upon Il
10 question of the admission OF new States.
al that crisis intense solicitude pervaded the nj
ton But the patriotic impulses OF the Popul
ed heart, guided by the admonitory advice OF Il
We Father Of his country, rose superior to all q
be difficulties of the incorporation ola new empi
he into the Union. In the counSeS OF Congre
In there was manifested extreme antagonism
n opinion and action between some represent
d. tives, who sought by the abusive and uncons
lie tutional employment of the legislative powe
III of the government to interfere in the contitiC
OF the inchoate States, and to impose their ov
bv social theories upon the latter; and other 70
be resenlatives who repelled the interpoSltion
or the general government in this respect, al
is maintained the self constituting rgbts OF 4
.r. States. In truth, the thing attempted was,
C. form alone, action of the general governmeI
as while in reality it was the endeavor, by abu
n of Legislative power, 10 force the ideas OF nte
nal policy entertained in particular States up
I'd allied independent States. Once more the co
,ss slituiion and the Union trumphed signaliy.-
tn The new Territories were organized witho
at restrictions on the disputed point, and were th
ed left TO Judge In that particular for themseve
ed and the sense OF constitutional faith proved vi
n orouS enough in Congress not only to accompli
ic, this primary object, but also the incidental a
all hardly less important one OF SO amending t
.e- provisions OF the statute for the extraditon
fugitives from service, as to place that pub
lat duty under the safeguard OF the general 90