Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-05

Among tne eVnneSCenJ CO0trOYefSleS .Ol
that period, the most conspicuous was the
question of regulation by Congress of the
social condition of the future States TO be
founded in the territory OF Louisiana.
The ordinance for the government of the
territory northwest Of the river Ohio had
contained provision, which prohibited the
use Of servile labor therein, subject to the
condition Of the extradition of fugitives from
service due in any other part of the United
States. Subsequently to the adoption of the
constitution, this provision ceased to remain
as laws for its operation us such was ab-
| solutely superseded by the constitution. But
the recollection of the fact excited the zeal
OF social propagandism in some sections of
the confederation; and. when second State,
that OF Missouri, came to be formed in the
territory OF Louisiana, proposition was made
TO extend to the latter territory the restric-
ton originally applied to the country situated
between the rivers Ohio and Mississippi.
Most questionable as was this proposition
IN all its constitutional relations, nevertheless
1t received the sanction of Congress, with
some slight notifications Of line, to save the
existing rights of the intended new State. 1t
was reluctantly acquiesced in by Southern
States, as sacrifice to the cause of peace
and OF the Union, not only of the rights stp-
ulated by the treaty Of Louisiana. bnt of the
principle of equality among the States, qua
rantled by the constitution. 1t was received
oy the northern States with angry and re.
sen'ihl condemnation and COMPLAINT. because
1t did not ccncede all which they had exact.
ingiy demanded. Having passod through
the forms of legislation. il took its ploce in
the statute book, standing open to repeal.
Ike any other act Of doubtful constitutional-
ny, subject to be pronounced null ard void
ny the courts of law, and possessing no posi-
Die efficacy to control the rights Of The
states, which might thereafter he organized
out OF any part Of the original territory OF
| Louisiana.
! In all this, if any aggression there were.
any innovation upon pre-existing rights, to
which portion Of the Union are they Justly
chargeable?
ms controversy passed away with the
occasion, nothing surviving it save the DOR
nant letter of the statute
But, long afterwards, when, by the proposed
accession of the Republic of Texas, the
Ohltea states were to take their next step
IN territorial greatness, a similar contingency
occurred, and became the occasion for sys-
tematlzed attempts to intervene in the do
mestic affairs Of one section of the Union
IN defiance Of their rights as States. and OF
|
attempts assumed a practical direction. in
the shape of perseverng endeavors. bv some
OF the representatives. IN both houses of Con
gress, to deprive the southern States of the
supposed benefit of the provisions of the act
authorizing the organization Of the State OF
! Missouri
! But. the good sense ofthe people, and the
| vital iorce OF the constitution, triumphed over
sectional prejudice, and the political errors
OF the day, and the State of Texas returned
to the Union as she was, with social institu-
| tons which her people had chosen for them
selves and with express agreement, by the
re-annexing act, that she should be susccpti-
BILE OF subdivision into plurality of States.
| W hatever advantage the interests of the
Southern States, as such, gained by this.
were lar inferior in results. as they unfolded
IN the progress of time, to those which sprang
from previous concessions made by the
| South
! 10 every thoughtful friend of the Union
TO the true lovers Of their country-to all who
'onged aud labored for the full success of
tins great experiment Of republican institu-
tIons,-it was cause of graduation that such
an opportunity had occurred 10 illustrate our
advancing power on this continent, and to
furnish to the world additional assurance Of
the strength and stability of the constitution.
| Who would wish TO see Florida still Euro.
pean colony? Who would rejoice to hail
Texas as lone star, instead of one in the
galaxy OF States? Who does not appreciate
the lncalculable benefits of the acquisition Of
Louisiana? And yet narrow views and Sec
! 'lonai purposes would inevitably have ex-
cluded them all from the Union.
But another struggle on the same point
ensued, when our victorious armies returned
from Mexico, and it devolved on Congress to
provide Tor the territories acquired by the
treaty oil Guadalupe liidalgo. The great
relations Of the subject had now become dis
tinct and clear to the perception of the public
mind which appreciated the evils of sectional
controversy upon the question of the admis-
sion OF new States. In that crisis intense
sollcltude pervaded the nation. But the
patriotic impulses Of the popular heart gui.
ded by the admonitory advice Of the Father
oi ms Country rose superior to all the diff
cultles oi the incorporation Of new empire
into the Union. In the counSels of Congress
'here was manifested extreme antagonism Of
opinion and action between some representa-.
lives, who sought by the abusive aud uncon-
Stitutional employment Of the legislative
powers ol The government to interfere in the
cuhdiiion q! the lnchoate states. and TO i'm.
pose their own social theories upon the latter;
and other representatives, who repelrd the
inierposition of the general government in
thls respect, and maintained the self,cunsti-
tuiing rights of the states. In truth. the
lhlhg attempted was. in form alone, action Of
the general government, while in reality il
WAS The endeayUr, 10y abuse of Legislative
power TO force the ideas Of internal policy,
entertained IN particular states, upon allied
independent States. Once more the cuustl.