Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-24
GOV. KING ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

Extract from the Message Gov. JOHN a. se 70 the New
York Legislature.
I.b1ye ye. another duty to perGorn IA duty, the
obligations Of which am not at liberty to neglect,
cscds dse ! we're sa disnosed-and the performance
OF which. in nv ludgemeht; is rendered imper.
alive by the respect which s due to the sentiments
and votes in the recent Presidential election of
great majority of the people of this State and
the other free States.
i do this in partisan spirit, but under the
conviction that the great principle at issue in the
election and which is so triump phantly vindicated,
lies at the root of free institutions. and is
alike the concern, and should be equally the care
of all citizens who rightly estimate those institu-
tions. No mere party question could call forth so
deep an interest and significant and decisive n
vote throughout the length and breadth Of the
State and venture to believe do not mistake
its import, your convict, respecting it,when
assume, its deliberate and irreVersihle decree
that SO far the State of New York is concerned
there shall he henceforth no extension of slavery
in the Territories Of the United States.
This conclusion most unreservedly adopt, and
am prepared to abide by it at all times. under all
circumstances, and in every emergency
am more emphatic on this point, because it
has been thought by the present incumbent not in
compatible with the dignity and decornnl of the
Presidential chair to stigmaiize the. Conduct III
the recent election, of large majority of the
people of this State, well of other free
States, by uuwarrsntaby imputing to them
motives which they do not entertain and aims
directly contrary to those they both avow and
strive to promote. Those impntntinns we know to
lie wholly groundless: yet they have been put for
ward with all the authority which high station
and deliberate and artful preparation can confer
and IN the discussion in the Senate of the United
States of the Presidents Message, they seem tu
I've received and treated true by persons whose
position Senator'S gives weight to their argu-
ments. Hence il will not be out of place here 10
state the views which we OF the free States do
entertain in reference to tho great issue that has
called down upon such extraordinary denun-
ciati0ns.
| We hold, then, FIRST to all the obligations. com
promises and guarantees of the Constitution as
explained and understood by lis founders, and
until comparatively recent days, acqdiesced in by
the whole country and especially, we hold, as to
slavery, that in the States where il exists t exists
by virtue of local law alone; but that it neither
exists nor is confirmed there, anywhere, 10y
the force and effect Of the Constitution of the
United States. Secondly that under the Const
! tuition Of the United States. Congress has the
power TO exclude slavery from the Territories and
~e insist that it should exercise its power. when
ever necessary, to effect that purpose. Thirdly
that under the Constitution Congress has the
power to admit new States into the Union, when
and as 1t may judge proper and expedient, having
reference, among other considerations, 10 theii
social condition FOurthly, that the constitutions
restriction, until 1908, OF the power of Congress
To prohibit the slave trade, and the prohibition
afterwards of that trade by act of Congress- con
stitutes one of the Com promises of the Constitu
ton, which should be firmly insisted upon anC
forever maintained nvolate. But We do not claim
on the contrary, we disclam, any right power
or desire or purpose. to interfere with the domestic
institutions of any State, or with the laws of tn,
respective States. within the jurisdiction thereof
The agitation Of the subject of slavery is not al
tributable to us. but was forced upon the countr!
by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,and b,
the new and unsound construction attempted to b
given to the Constitution of the United States. b.
which that instI ument is made to carry slavery
wherever it goes. When, therefore, resist thi
aggressive spirit, and the extension of slavery t.
which it tends, We acting within the Constitu
tion in defence alike Of it's spirit and its letter
and in opposition TO the fanaticism of slavery.
These are the fundamental principles we hav
maintained and shall continue to maintain.
} falls NOT within province to egisate upon th'
. subject of slavery in other States. Happily at al
early day this State purged itself from that grea
evil, and its record has been consistent and unva
| rying in behalf of liberty. When the agitatio
, respecting the admission of Missouri was at II
height, THE State so far az its Senators and Ror