Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-11-26
From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. IL.
Slavery in the Territories.

Tho Illinois election has resulted as
every good Democrat must have desired.
Tho return Of Judge Douglas to tho thea
ter Of his usesuness was expected and
wished for by tho Democracy in every
quarter of tho country. But now that his
triumphant election Ios placed him again
upon the thcatcr of action, it is to bo hoped
that the Democracy, Locompton anti-Le-
compton, will heartily rally TO the support
of the Administration. Let tho past be
forgotten, its animositics healed, its errors
and wrongs forgiven, and, united, let the
party present firm and bold front to Sew
ard and his bloody programme, as set forth
at Rochester. To successfully moet the
onset of Seward and his triumphant Black
Republican myrmidons, it will require all
the strength, all tho united and cordial ac-
tion of every part and parcel Of the Dem
ocracy.
But, while counscling unity and har-
mony, Virginia is not unmindful of the
great questions that arc yet unsettled with
regard to slavery in tho Territories. Vir-
ginia secs, that though tho Constitution
recognizes and the Supreme Court sustains
her right to carry slaves into territory,
yet she also remembers what Judge Doug
las so pcintedly brought to light in Illinois,
that this right may be rendered null and
void by tho non-action of the Territorial
Legislature. While Virginia recognizes no
power that can compel Territorial Legisla-
ture to enact those laws necessary to protect
the constitutional rights of Shareholders, yet
she does hold that Congress has the right,
and is in duty bound, to protect slavery in the
Territories, until tho people Of territory
when on the eve Of forming State gov
eminent, may decide the question finally
for the future State.
This question is ono above the platform
of parties, and must be met, and decided
coustitutionally in favor of protection, oil
unconsttutionally against it. 1t canno,
and must not be compromised; if the Gin
cinnati platform docs not provide for thi,
question it must be made 10 meet thi
/, issue.
This question Of protection to slavery ID
tho Territories will have to be met, and
the South will demand her Constitutions
rights, these rights are recognized il
in tho Constitution, asserted in the Kan.
sas Nebraska bill, admitted by tho Cincin.
natl Platform, and have been sanctioned
and ndjudicated by the Supreme Court
and with this array of authority, the South
will demand the legislation necessary tc
render valid tho rights so amply recogniz
ed by the party, the country, the Congress
tho Supreme Court and the Constitution.
The right to reclaim fugitive slaves wa.
given by the Constitution; tho Northerr
States refused to legistato for the practioa
enforcement of this constitutional right, ant
Congress was compelled to provide the leg
islation necessary to the usefulness of thi.
provision. So it is with regard to the sla
vory in the Territories. There is no pow
or TO coerce Territorial Legislature to dc
its constitutional duty, and Congress must
supply the legislation withheld by the
derelict Territory.
Intervention for the protection is funda.
mental principle with the South, and g
wiser nor better remark mover fell from
Gov. Wise than tho following extract from
his Illinois letter:
Protection in the Territories and svsry
,Ohere, to all rights Of person and of prop
erty, in accordance with the rights Of the
States, and of the Constitution and Laws o.
the Union" Here, then, may be found
Virginia's declaration with regard to Sla
very in tho Territories To this sho is con
stitutionally entitled. She asks no more,
she piU take no less.