Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-18
slavery in the territories.

| From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. y
! The Illinois elections have resulted as every
good Democrat must have desired. The return
of Judge Douglas to the theater of his useful
ness was expected and wished for by the De-
mocracy in every quarter of the country. But
now that his triumphat election has placed him
again upon the theater of action, it is TO be
hoped that the Democracy, Lecompton and anti
Lecompton, will heartily rally to the support of
the Administration. Let the past be forgotten,
its animosities healed, its errors and wrongs
forgiven, and, united, let the party present a
firm and bold front to Seward and his bloody
programme as set forth at Rochester To suc-
cessfully meet the onset of Seward and his tri-
umphant Black Republican myrmidons, it will
require all the WILL all the strength, all the uni
ted and cordial action of every part and parcel
of the Democracy.
But, while counseling unity and harmony,
Virginia is not unmindful of the great questions
thar are yet unsettled with regard to slavery in
the Territories. Virginia sees, that though the
Constitution recognises, and the Supreme Court
sustains her right to carry slaves into a terrific
ry, yet she also remembers what Judge Douglas
pointedy brought to light in Illinois, that this
right may be rendered null and void by the
non-action of the Territorial Legislature. While
Virginia recognises no power that can compel
Territorial Legislature to enact those laws ne
cessary to protect the constitutional rights oJ
! shareholders, yet she does hold that Congress
has the right, and is in duty bound. to protect
| slavery in The Territories, until the people of a
territory, when on the eve of forming a State
government, may decide the question finally for
the future State
This question is one above the platforms of
parties, and must be met, and decided, cOnstitu-
tionally in favor of protection, or unconstitu-
t,oGaIly against it. II cannot and must moi be
compromised if The Cincinnati platform does
not provide for this question it must be made TO
meet this issue.
This question of protection to slavery in the
Territories will have to be met, and the South
will demand her Constitutional rights; these
rights are recognized in the Constitution, as
serted in the Kansas Nebraska bill, admitted by
the Cincinnati Platform, and have been sanction
ed and adjudicated by the Supreme Court; and
with this array of authority, the South will de-
mand the legislation necessary to render valid
The rights so amply recognized by the party,
the country, the Congress, the Supreme Court
and the Constitution.
The right to reclaim fugitive slaves was given
by the Constitution; the Northern States re.
fused to legislate for the practical enforcement
of this constitutional right, and Congress was
compelled 20 proVlde the Legislation necessary
to the usefulness of this provision. So it is
with regard to the slavery in the Terrtories.-
There is no power to coerce Territorial Legis-
lature to do its constitutional duty, and Con-
gress must supply the legislation withheld by
the derelict Territory.
Intervention for protection is fundamental
principle with the South, and wiser nor bet
ter remark never fell from Gov. Wise than the
following extract from his Illinois letter;
Protection in the Territories and ersrJ1rhs ?.
TO all rights of person and of property, in ac-
cordance with the rights of the States, and of
the Constitution and laws of the Union."-
Here, then, may be found Yirginia's declara-
ton with regard to Slavery in the Territories.
To this she is constitutonaly entitled. She
asks no more; she lsiH take no less.