Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-01-24
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN THURSDAY, JANUARY "a, $780,


eventual subdivision into new States
was adopted in the Congress OF I'd
confederation, it is not to be suppose
that the question of future reiatlV
power, as between the States whc
retained and those which did NO
retain numerous colored populatio
escaped notice, or failed to be consid
cred. And yet the concession Q
that vast territory to the interests ant
opinions of the Northern States,
territory now the seat of five anon:
the largest members of the Union
was, in a great measure, the act o
the State of Virginia and OF th'
South.
When Louisiana was acquired by
the United States, it was an acqulsl
ton not less to the North than to the
South; for while it was important te
the country at the mouth OF the rlv'
er Mississippi to become the empo'
rum of the country above it, SO also
it was even more important to the
whole Union to have that emporium;
and although the new province, oy
reason of its imperfect settlement,
was mainly regarded as on the Gull
of Mexico, yet, in 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 at least an accession to the
Northern States. 1t is mere delu-
sion and prejudice, therefore, to speak
of Louisiana as acquisition In the
special interest of the South.
The patriotic and just men, who
participated in that act, were lntiu-
enced by motives far above all Sec
tional ljealousies. 1t wasin truth, the
great event, which, by completing
for us the possession of the valley OF
the Mississippi, with commercial ac-
cess to the Gulf of Mexico, impaired
unity with strength to the whole con-
federation, and attached together by
indissoluble ties the East and the
West. as well as the North and the
South.
As to Florida, that was but the
transfer by Spain to the United
States of territory on the east side OF
the river Mississippi, in exchage Tor
large territory, which the United
States transferred to Spain, on the
west side of that river, as the entire
diplomatic history of the transaction
services do demonstrate. Moreover,
it was an acquisition demanded by
the commercial interests and the Sc
curity of the whole Union.
Among the evanescent controver-
sizes of that period, the most consplc-
uous 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 rlV'
er Ohio had contained a provision
which prohibited the use OF servile
labor therein, subject to the condl'
ton of The extradition of fugitlves
from service due in any other part OF
the United States. Subsequently
to the adoption Of the constitution
this provision ceased to remaif as a
law; for its operation as such was ab-
solutely superseded by the oonsti-
tuition. But the recollection of the
fact excited the zeal of social propa-
gandism in some sections of the con-
federation; and when second State,
that of Missouri, came 20 be Termed
in the territory Of Louisiana, propo-
sition was made to extend to the
latter territory the restriction orig
inally applied to the country situated
between the rivers Ohio and Missis-
sippi.
Most questionable, as was this
proposition in all It's constitutional
relations, nevertheless, it received the
sanction of Congress; with scme
slight modification of line to save the
existing rights of the intended new
State. 1t was-reluctantly acquiesced
lin by SoutEern States as sacrifice
to cause 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 the Constitution. II
was received by the Northern States
with angry and resentfal coudemna
tion and complaint, because it die
not lconcede all which. they had ex
actingly demanded. Having passed
through the forms of legislation, j