The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-03-23

| N'"''' "N"y su"t u hns oron "uu yet IL pre-
dominant. am not now to deplore the
annexation Of Texas. l remark simply
that it was bold measure, OF doubtful
constitutiona!ity, distinctly adopted as IN
act of Intervention in favor of slave labor
and made or intended to be made most of.
fective by tho stipulation that the new
state of Texas may hereafter be divided
and so reorganized as to constitute five
slave states. This great act cast long
shadow before it--a shadow which per-
picked tho people Of the free states. 1t
was then that feeble social movement,
which aimed by moral persuasion at the
manumission of slaves, gave place to po-
ltical organizations, which have ever since
gone on increasing in energy and extent,
directed against further extension of
slavery is the United States. The war
between the United States and Mexico,
and the acquisition of the Mexican provin
ces OF New Mexico and Upper California,
the fruits OF that war, were 50 Immediately
and directly consequences Of the annexa-
tion OF Texas, that all Of those events, in
fact, may be regarded as constituting one
act of intervention in favor of slave states.
The field Of the strife between the two sys-
TENS had become widely enlarged. In
deed, 1t was now continental. The amaz-
ing mineral wealth Of California stimulat-
ed settlement there into a rapidity like that
of vegetation. The Mexican laws which
prevailed in the newly required Territories
dedicated them to free labor, and thus the
astounding question arose for the first time,
whether the United States Of America,
whose Constitution was based on the prin-
ciple of the policy equality of all men,
would blight and curse with slavery con-
quercd land which enjoyed universal free
dom. The slave states denied the obliga.
tion of these laws, and insisted on their
obrogation. The free states maintained
them, and demanded their confirmation
through the enactment Of the Wilmot pro-
viso. The slave states were yet in equili-
brium. The controversy continued here
Two years. The settlers of the new Terri.
tories became impatient. and precipitated
solution Of the question. The organized
new free states in California and New Mex
leo. The Mormons also framed Govern
ment in Utah. Congress. after bewild-
ering excitement, determined the matter
by another compromise. 1t admitted Cal
lfornla free state, dismembercd New
Mexico, transferring large district free
from slavery to Texas, whose laws carried
slavery over it, and subjected the residue
10 territorial government, as it also sub
jectected Utah, and stipulated that the
futnra 81 10 ha xIo.a IT.
ritores should be admitted either as free
states or as slave states, as they should
elect. pass over the portions of this ar
rangcment which did not bear directly on
the point in conflict. Tho Federal Gov
crnmcnt presented this compromise to the
people, AS comprehensive, final, and per-
petual adjustment of all then existing and
all future questions having any rela ion to
the subject of slavery within the Terrific
ries or elsewhere. The country accepted
it with that proverbial facility which free
states practice, when time brings on stern
conflict which popular PASSIONS provoke,
and ut distance defy. This halcyon
peace, however, had not ceased to be cele
brated, when the newborn necessities Of
trade, travel, and labor, required an OPEN
ing of the region in the old province Of
Louisiana, north of SO . go, which had
been reserved in 1920, and dedicated to
free labor and free states. The old oues-
ton was revived in regard To that Terrific
ry, and took the narrow name Of the Kan
sas question, just rs the stream which Lake
Superior discharges, now contracting itself
into rivers and p:ecipitating itself down
rapids and cataracts, and now spreading
out its waters into broad seas, assumes a
new name with every change of form, but
continues nevertheless the same majestic
and irresistible flood under every change,
increasing in depth and in volume until it
loses itself in the all-absorbing ocean.
No one had ever said or even thought
that the law of Freedom in this region
could b, repealed, impaired or evaded.
Its constitutionality had indeed been aucs-
toned at the time of its cnactmenis; but
this, with all other objections, had been
as part Of the compromise.
1t was regarded as bearing the sanction
and acquiesence. But the slaveholdinp |
people of Missouri looked across the bor |
der into Kansas, and coveted the land. |
The slave States could not fail TO sympa.
lhizc with them. 1t seemed as if no or.
yanizalion Of Government could be effect.
ed in the Territory. The Senator from III.
lnols Mr.. Douglas projected scheme.
Under the vigorous leading, Congress Gre
'tcd two Observation-Disclosures and Kan
as. The former (the more northern one)
night, it was supposed, be settled without
Slavery, and become FREQ State, or sew.
raj FREQ States. The latter (tho south
'rn one, was accessible to tho Slave States
,ordcred on one of them, and was repar-
led as containing region inviting to
laveholders. So it might be settled by
hem, and become one or more Slave
States. Thus indirectly, a further com.
rom!se might be effected, if the Missouri
of 1920 should be abrogatod
congress abrogated it, with the special
nd effected cooperation of tho President,
nd thus the National Government direct.
7 intervened in favor Of the Slave Labor.
,oud remonstrances against the measure,
n the ground of its violation or the nation
faith were silenccd by clamorous avow-
Is Of discovery that Congress had never
nd any right to intervene in the Terrific
o. g.. |