Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-19

oecti0n Of the Union. In jerogation Of tn /
rights Of another. and has absorbed all the |
other political questions Of the day.
The meeting Of these two systems oflabor
fAce to face In Kansas, has impaired no little
intrest t. this conflict. Passing BY however,
the monstrous frauds, usurpations. violence.
and utter disregard Of the Democratic prin.
ciple oil allowing the people to choose their
own rulers and make their own laws. xh:ch
thus far have marked the progress Of the
contest in that Territory, beg leave to 20
back of oil these and refer TO an assumnt
ion Of power, or constitutional right. which
has Justly alarmed and excited the jealousy
OF the North, and it is apprehended, will
give long continuance and bitterness to this
unfortunate contest. ailude TO the recent
Interpretation Of the Constitution OF the
United States which nationaizes slavery
and opens the door for its univer.ality in all
the Territories Of the governments. This
extraordinary construction of the charter Of
our liberties, was first enumerated by the
southern section of the Supreme Court in the
bred Scott case, afterwards adopted by one
of the political parties Of this country. and
followed up q distinct recognition ON the
part Of the presnt Chief Magistrate of the
Union.
This dist 'nguished functionary has been
pleased TO inform the people Of this country.
that slavery, under the Constitution az now
erpous ded. may not only be extended be
yond the bounds where it now. but that il
already exists practically or theoretically
in all the national domain
IL this be so, the invcstiture Of this rriyi-
lege in 100000, Shareholders il a virtual alb
negation of the rights Of $4,000, 900 Of non
Shareholders IN the occupancy of all these
lands. For, 1t will be confessed that free
and voluntary labor will not unite with in.
voluntary and compulsory labor in reclaim
ing all these territories and Transforming
them into the culture, the arts and the
adornments OF civilization.
But, it is said from high authority. and IA
palliative for the exercise Of thi, right un.
der the Constitution TO take and hold slaves
upon the free territory of this country. that
g when the residents Of snch Territories pro
coed TO form State Constitution, tAe,. IL is
their right to decide tie important question:
for themselves, whefher they ,riW continue mo,E.
.ty or abolish siarery"
But, how right recognized and guaran-
teed by the Constitution Of the United
states, can be thus readily disposed OF, is
not readily perceived. 1t must be founded
upon the idea either that the Constitution
is not the paramount law of the land, or
that it contains a limitation upon this right.
1t is believed that Meth Of these postula
ties can be maintained and it follows that
il this right exists at all, it is an absolute
continuing right, as the other franchises OF
that venerable instrument are which no
State power can divest either after it has
been exercised, as in Kansas, or in anticipa-
tion Of its exercise, as Iowa, has attempted
to do, in prohibiting it in her Consultation.
If this construction be the true one, then )
logical consequence, and as has already
been claimed in some quarters. slavery exists
theoretically in all the free States Of this
Union, and the right need only be asserted
to make it SO practically.
BY thus Interpreting the Constitution Of the
United States, SO as TO make it sanction the
legal right to own and hold slaves wherev-
81 the flag Of the Union goes, the people Of
the free North are made an Involuntary
party to all the evils, political and moral
which attach themselves to this institution
and must share with the South whatever
responsibility there may be connected with
it as subssting national establishment
They protest agaist being implicated in so
great a wrong. To their moral sense. slave.
ry is odious and forbIdding They had been
accustomed to view 1T as IA State institution.
over which neither they nor the General
Government had any control
But if this new political faith, on a subject
so exciting. is now to obtain it must be re-
garded a. fore.hadowing OF OWL DAYS to
the commonwealth. Under it the eniran-
oEisemeLt Of free labor is every where in
peril. Iowa the offspring Of those liberal
sentiments that prevailed in the better DAYS
of the Republic, when it was deemed no in
fringement either on the cons titution or the
right OF the Sonth, TO consecrate her sell 10
freedom, has been no idle spectator of these
aggressive movements against the rights of
the North. In the late elecliot, she record
ed her prot. st against that preversion of
the Constitution, which is breaking dow n
one OF the fortresses of liberty in this coun-
try. She has been taught to believe that
that sacred instrument Was intended as the
bond Of .lelipsrance from all mro,,gs 10 all
ranks. And whilst it is no part OF her
purpose to cherish anmo.ities towards any
one section OF our common country, but
would rather counsel peaceful relations and
good neighborship, she intends to resist all
inroads upon the faith and doctrines Of the
iramers OF the Constitution, as all encroacll-
ments upon the principles of political equal
ity. And if it is permitted her to have
limbs, free to toll, hearts free to beat, and
minds to think, she will continue to give
evidence Of her loyalty to the national
Uniou, the rerpetuity Of which is the herald
and pledge Of " the hope that comes to all. y
RALPH p. LOWE.
| DIS MoISEs, Jan Is. 1853.