The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-03-20
~ The Vincennes Gazette appears to be
restless and impatient for a controversy with

~ The vincennes Gazette appears to be
restless and impatient for controversy with
some one, and for the want Of better oppo-
nent has pitched into the Evansville Journal
on subject which we have disclaimed all
intention or desire to,discuss, for We have
determined, as far as in us lies, to avoid
making the Supreme Court or IT'S designs
subject of party discussion. The Gazette
endeavors TO pursaade us that the Court has
decreed that the Constitution docs carry
slavery into al the territories--organized
and unorganized-of the United States. We
shall be sorry if such be the judgment of
the Court, and still more so, if such be the
true doctrine of the Constitution; but VIC do
not believe either proposition to be true, and |
the extract given by the Gazette docs not
convince us, as the doctrine laid down in it !
refers to the Louisiana Territory, where sla !
very was established before it came under /
the jurisdiction of the Constitution, which |
does not any where change or interfere with \
the local or municipal law on tho subject of
slavery, that may exist or be established by /
The citizens Of territory. And this is all
the Court did decide. It declares that the !
Constitution confers no powers upon tho Gen
eral Government over the subject. When a
territory becomes a part of the United States,
the General Government enters into posses
Sim in the character impressed upon it by
those who created il. The powers OF the
General Government are limited and defined.
They are the same in q. territory as in n
State. 1t has no power in a territory beyond
what the Constitution confers on it over the
whole Union. When it enters territory it
cannot put off its character, and assume dis
cretionary and despotic power, or jurisdiction
over matters which the Constitution Ia. de-
MED to it. 1t cannot create for itself q new
character and new powers in the territorie.
which it has not in the States; and the pow
ers denied to itself, it could not authorize a
Territorial Government to exercise. This is
the language of the Court, and it appears to
go to the utmost limit of squatter sovereignty
doctrine. 1t may be inferred from it, that in
the opinion of the Court the Constitution
tolerates slavery cveIy where, from its in
herent lack Of power to control it; but that
Is very different from extending it by its
positive sanction throughout its dominion,
beyond the limits Of the States. Is there
anything in the decision Of the Court tina,
would CRY slavery into Canada and tho
British dominions if they were annexed
We are as much opposed to the extension
of slavery, as the editor of the Gazette, and
would lament any construction Of the con.
thot xynuIl ,pso froat ar
tory. But we protest against any misrepre-
sentation Of the opinions of the Court, ant
all attempts to make the Court and its dccis
ions themes for political agitation. EVER
principle and institution of the government
once revered and eonsecrated in public opin
ion-has been weakened and perverted b,
the demoralizing influences Of party politics
except the Supreme Court, which still retain
some share Of public reverence and respect
The threatened assault upon this last bul
wark of the Constitution is ominous of evil
1t is upon the public faith in its integrity an
wisdom that all its powers depend. Dcpriv
it of the support of public opinion and
would be as impotent rs conclavc Of oil
ladies in a conflict with the executive. Th
Legislature is already subjugatcd by the pow
er Of corruption to the executive, and if th
Judiciary be deprived of its moral strengt
Its authority Is annihilated, and it falls;a
the fabric of the Constitution crumbles wit
it. Tho structure Of the government will
changed at once, and the government become
an unlimited executive dcspotism, from whic
We are now separated only by single barrie
The Court may err, and it may be temper
arily swayed by external influences, but il
constitution is as favorable fsr its virtue an
independence as any human institution TIN
can be devised. Let us endeavor to preser'
its power, and it will, of itself, recover j
purity and independence. y.r.,.. ....
The only position we assumed in the art
Gle to which the Gazette alludes, was that Il
doctrine, attributed to tho Court-wheth
correct OF uot-havs been practically in for
from the adoption of the Constitution, in Il
coasting Slave trade, which has been CARR,
on solely under the protection given to it
the Constitution. If Slaves could not
carried into unorganized territory, they cou
not be carried to sea beyond the reach of IN
nicipal laws, azd brought back to Shaver
If one act WIS illegal and unconstitntion;
the ether must be. If the doctrine that san
toned GRO was edioas, tn, other was repr
hensibie., This point the Gazette avoids.
q H.