Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-01-16


In 1889. after the adoption of the
Constitution by the States, the question
necessarily arose whether that did not
abrogatc or annul the ordinance of 'S7.
To remove all doubt. or to make all Ger.
tain, Congress, at its first session under
the Constitution. in 1888, affirmed and
made Wild that ordinance. and the law
was approved by George Washington -
Such, briefly, is the early history of this
government; and it proves beyond all
doubt tn t the men of that day designed
and expected hat the extension of sla-
very should be prevented by the Govern
ment. Such is just what is now propos-
ed-to follow the lights of their counsel
and by excluding Slavery from the terri
tories of the United States, make them
the homes of free men,
Such are the prominent acts Of the
men who laid the foun iatons of our
Government, and who may be Justly sup
posed to know what they intended
Could any doubt exist, as there cannot.
an examination of the debates and the
history of the times render it more GER
tain and clear as to what were their pur-
poses. The opinions of that day were
concurred in by the prominent men Of
the South. They were eloquent in de-
picting the wrongs and injuries which
slavery inflicted upon both the colored
and the white man. The sad evils con.
nected with it, in all their relations, were
portrayed by them in vivid colors.-
They saw, felt and acknowledged its
whitening effect. But now all this is
changed. In the Southern States it has
been boldly and fearlessly avowed that
they must have the right to people the
territories with their slaves, who are
made such, lin the language of the Con-
stitution, referring to the States where
S avery existed. "undsr the ia,cs there
of"-thus seeking to control and regu-
late the territories by virtue Of State
laws. 1t has also been asserted that Sla-
very is right-that it is the normal con-
dition of the laboring man. and not con-
fined to race or color. Principles and
objects like these strike at the very foun-
dation of Government. To preserve
that government, and to have it admin
istered as designed by our fathers. should
ever remain the purpose of all who cher
ish our free institutions.
In 1920, when Missouri. rs a part of
the Louisiana purchase. sough: admission
as a State into the Union. and Just pre-
ceding that time, the question Of restric-
ing slavery in the territories again arose.
After much CONTROVERSY a proposition
was submitted ard supported almost
unanimously by the South. and approv-
ed by President Monroe and his cabinet.
prohibiting slavery in all the territory
North of the parallel of Sc deg, 80 sec.
north latitude, but south Of that line
leaving it unprol.bitcd by law The
proposition was at that time resisted by
the North, for the reason that it did
not exclude slavery from all the terrific
ry. As compromise it was however
adopted. and good faith required that it
should not be disturbed. or violated.
1t SO remained for more thon third
of century and after all the territory
south Of that line had been admitted as
slave States into the Union, except a
small portion reserved as Indian posses
sions, then. in utter violation of good
faith. and at a time when quiet and
peace had been restored to the country
it was ruthlessly violated and repealed
From that repeal has arisen the angry
discussions in the country.
The object of the repeal. as frankly
admitted and affirmed by some, and as
could well be ssen'by all, was solely to
extend slavery.
The acts of men are matters of Just
criticism, and we have right to suppose
and believe that men intend what is the
fair and necessary result Of their acts
If such were not the object. the repeal
was useless. The fact that slavery was
prohibited-that it has since been forced
into the territory-that disgraceful and
odious laws. ,epugnant to humanity and
the age in which we live. have been en-
acted in Kansas by legislature elected
by persons who invaded the territory
from neighboring State-and all the
scenes of anarchy and bloodshed which
have there transpired with the compiler,
ty. If not the direct aid, of the general
government, it would seem, can leave nc
room for doubt or controversy as to the
object intended to be accomplished
Those who did that act are justly char
eeable with all the discussion and excite
ment with which the public mind has
been agitated-an agitation which car
not and will not cease until Slavery II
confined to the States where it belongs
Despotism is always aggressive, but free
men cannot submit to the aggressions o
slavery, and will not be exclued from
our territories. Quietly to submit to it
despotic aggression, and its supremancy
would make slaves of our posterlty
while we should deserve no better fat
ourselves.
With Slavery in the States we hav'
nothing to do. For its extension O.
continuance there we are not responsi
BILE. 1t there depends upon the Stat
laws. But outside the States and IN tn
territories belonging to the United state
and subject to their jurisdiction and Q
,,b;,h States we constitute a part, W