Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-10-01
Is Slavery National I!
Ig~ President BUCHANAN, in hi


Constitution of the United States, and
wonders how that fact could ever have
been doubted. The principle advanced
by this, is simply, that Slavery exists by
right in all territory governed by the
Constitution, and is there protected by
law-that it exists in Minnesota and Ore
gon as well as in Utah and New Mexico.
If this is SO, how can the people of ter
ritory exclude Slavery by the adoption of
State Constitution, and the formation of
a State Government If the Conslitu-
ton Of the United States is the Supreme
law Of the land, and under it Slavery is
protected, does not every Stale Constitu-
ton which prohibits Slavery conflict with
that supreme law =? and is not, therefore,
so much as thus conflicts, null and void I?
In other words, how can State Consti-
tuition deprive one class of citizens of
rights guaranteed them by the Constitu-
ton of the United States ? The Dubuque
Republican, speaking upon this point,
presents it thus forcibly:
&c But, says the President, when the
/ people proceed to form State Constitu-
ton, then it is their right to decide the
important question for themselves, wheth-
or they will continue, modify or abolish
slavery
Let us look at this assertion mo-
ment. For ten years let us suppose GER
tain locality has remained under Terrific
rial government. The Constitution of
the United States has been its Supreme
Law, and under its provisions, as inter-
preted by Mr.. Buchanan, the existence of
slavery has been recognized, sanctioned
have brought their black chattels into the
Territory, relying OH their right to do so,
secured TO them by the Constitution of
the United States, and expounded by
James Buchanan. But in the eleventh
year the people of the Territory proceed
to frame State Constitution, and decide
upon Incorporating therein provision
abolishing slavery. But, say the one
thousand slaveholders-' That thing you
cannot do. Our right to hold Slaves is
guaranteed to us by the Constitution of
tie United States. If you deprive US of
that right you nullily the Constitution of
the Union. If your State Constitution
abolishes slavery, it is an unconstitution
al Constitution, and the Supreme Court
will so declare it. Under the Constitu-
ton of the United States we are guaran-
teed tie right to hold slaves. You can
not take away that right, for the Consti-
tuition of the Union is higher than all
other law. We defy you to deprive us of
our slaves
"What arguments could be brought to
bear against these facts ? If the prem
ises are correct, if Slavery is guaranteed
by the Constitution, and the Constitution
is the Supreme law of the land, then are
these conclusions of the Shareholders ir-
there IL no aeaaYoI
therefrom.
Nor would the Shareholders be obliged
to content themselves with this line of ar
gument, conclusive as it is. Referring
to the doctrines Of Mr.. Buchanan, as set
forth in his letter, they would perceive
that the right OF Slaveholding under the
Constitution is placed simply upon pro-
perty basis-that is, the Slaves are con-
sidered rs things, chattles or cattle, and
spoken of accordingly. There is no diff
ference, in the Presidents eyes, between
IA black man and black horse. Sup
pose, then, the Shareholders might with
justice exclaim, Suppose your conven-
ton to form State Constitution had
adopted provision declaring that no
man should hereafter exercise dominion
over, or the right of property in, black
horses Would such constitution as
that be in harmony with the Cd section of
the 4th Article of the Constitution of the
Union, which declares that, The citi-
zens of each State shall be entitled to the
privileges and mmunities of citizens in
the several States = Now the citizens of
the several States have the privilege of
owning black horses, and the immuni-
ty' from punishment for whipping, brand
ing or killing them. Can you then con
stitutionaly deprive the citizens of this
new State oil The privilege to own black
horses, and to fog, brand or kill them ?
If not, neither can you deprive US of our
privilege, exercised by the citizens of all
the Southern States, of owning black
slaves, and of fogging, branding, and
killing them if we choose to do So"
This, then, is the front which Slavery
presents-the position which she has TAX
en-, under the protection Of the Demo
cratic party. If you desire that she shall
maintain tiff you wish to see her en-
croach atill further upon the rights and
possessions of freedom, vote for Demo
cratic Represcntaliyes-help send GEO.
w. JOKES, or some other cndorser of such
doctrines, TO tie United States Senate.
CT a subscriber some time since
handed us the following excellent re-