The Hillsborough recorder., 1857-03-11

liance hut when they proclaimed their will.
/ the tempest ut once subsidized. and all was
calm.
The voice Of the majority, speaking in the
manner prescribed by the constitution, was
heard, and instant submission followed. Our
own country could alone have exhibited So
grand and striking spectacle Of the capaci-
~ of man for self-goyernment.
What happy conception. then, was Il Tor
Congress to apply this simple rule--that the
will OF the majority shall govern-to the set
tlement Of the question Of domestic slavery
in the Territories! Congress is neither !. 10
legislate slavery into any Territory or State
nor to exclude 10 therefrom but 10 leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and re-
lgulate their domestic Institutions in their
own way, subject only 10 the constitution Of
the United States" As natural conse.
when the Territory Of Kansas shall be admits
ted as State. Il " shall be received into
the Union, with or without slavery, as their
constitution may prescribe at the time Of
their admission"
A difference Of opinion has arisen 10 regard
to the point of time when the people oi
Territory shall decide this question for them
selves.
This. is. happily, a matter OF but little
practical importance. Besides, il is a judi
cial question. which legitmately belongs to
the Supreme Court Of the United States, be-
fore whom il is now pending. aud will, IL is
understood. be speedily and finally settled.
TO their decision, in common with all good
citizens, shall cheerfully submit. whateyer
this may be, though il has ever been my in
diydual opinion that. under the Nebraska-
Kansas act, the appropriate period will be
when The number Of actual residents 10 tie
Territory shall justify the formation of d con.
sttuton with a view 10 its admission as a
State into the Union. But. be this as II mar.
il is The imperative and indispensable duty of
the Government nI the United states TO Sc
cure to every resident inhabitant he free and
independent expression of his opinion BY his
vote. This sacred right pf each individual
must be preserved. That being accom- plishrd.
nothing can be iairer than To leave the people
'ofa Territory. tree lrom all foreign lniericr.
encc, To decide their ',wn destiny for them
selves, subjrCt nnls % the constitution oi tile
United States.
The whole territorial question being thus
settled upon the principle &c popular snyrr-
eignty-a principle as ancient as fee govern
ment itseli-e,ery thing of practical nature
has been decided. No other question remains
Cor adjustment, because all sgree that, under
the constitution, slayerg IN the ststes is be-
yond the reach oi any i,uman power. except
that Of the respective States themselves.
wherein il exists. May we not, then, hope
that the bng asitaiinn on this subject is APP
preaching its ent. aud that the geographical
parties TO which II has given birth. 50 much
dreaded by the Father Of his Country, will
speedily become extineis Most happy for
the country will il be when the rublic mind
shall be diverted from this question 10 others
81 more pressing and practical importance.
Throughout the whole progress uf this asiia-
lion. which has scarcely known any inier.
mission Tor more than twenty wears, whilst IL
has been productive Of no positive good 10 any
human being. Il has hecn The prolific source
oi great evils 10 the master, 10 the slave. and
to the whole country. II has alienaied aud
estranged the people Of the sister States fram
each ther, and has even seriously entlaa-
grred the very existence % the Union. Nor
has the danger yet entirely ceased. Under
our system. there Is rrlnedy for all mere
political evils IN the sound sense and sber
judgment Of the people. Time is great cor.
rrcti,e. Political subjects which but Few
wears ago excited AMI exasperatrh the pubic
mind have passed away aud are nov nxarl,
iorgo,ten. But this question Of domestic
slavery Is Of lar greater importance than aay
mere political question. because, should The
agitation cuniinue, Il may eyrnfpalIy en,lan>
ger the personal safety 81 a large PARTON Of
our csunir, men where the Institution exists.
Ia that event. no form 81 government, how.
ever adlnrable ~ itself, aud however Urn.
duetise 81 material benefits. can eempensate
ior The loss OF peace aud domestic security
around the iaalIiy alter. Let every uniun.
loving man, therefore. exert his best influence
TO suppress this agitation, which. since The
recent Legislation Of Congress, Is without
eny legitimate object.
IL Is an evil omen OF the tines that men
have undertaken to calculate the mere mate.
rial value of tie Uninn. Reasoned estimate.
have been presented Of thr pecuniary profits
and local advantages which would fe.ul, ~
inherent States and sections from its dissoIu.
uon, anu oi TIE comparative injuries which
sueh ~ event would infict on other States
aud sections. Even descending 10 this low
and narrow view ni the mighty question, all
sueh calculations are al FAULT. The bare
reference 70 single CONSIDERATION will be
conclusive on this point. We Al present en-.
joy Tree trade throughout oUr extensive and
expanding country, such as the sorld has
neser witnessed. This trade is csndue led ON
railroads and canals--un noble rivers and
a'msai The sea--whieh bind tegrtherthe Nsrth
aud the South, the East and The West uf oar
eonlederacy. Annihilate this trade. srre.t
- ifee progress BY the geographical lines of
Jealous aud hostile States, and you destroy
ihr prosperity aud onward march of tie shoie
noissery part. aud involve lin one common
rum. but such considerations, inpor,an, 4.