Nevada national., 1859-12-17


tcct slavery i'm fhe Territories.
Reverdy johnson, formerly United States
Attorney General, has written an able pa
per, in which he attempts 10 reinforce Mr..
Douglass. in his we'll known position that
Congress is not empowered by the Consiitn-
tion 10 pass any Legislative enaciments for
the protection Of property in slavery In the
United States Territories.
Mr.. johnson has gone further In his views
as to the powcrlessness of Congress under
the Constitution to legislate relative to
slavery. He has, we think. written in the
main with very commendable spirit. His
disposition, whatever logical errors may be
attributed to bin, is evidently conservative
patriotic, and constitutional, and his ideas
are advanced in 9 clear and smooth style.
As is too common with controversial writers
Of all classes, Mr.. johnson, at times, forgets
10 pay TO those gentlemen no less distinguish
cd for mental calber and honesty ofpurpose
than himself that gallant Difference which,
while it dignifies them reflects no less honor
upon bis own character.
The true interest OF mankind lies in ths
discovery OF the truth. This is the mission
Of the real philosopher. whatever may be
the subject of which be treats, be it mathe-
matical, physical, metaphysical, social or
political. The truth exists, as it always has
and always will. in its eternal uucbange-
ableness as God himself, and whether we
behold it ourselves, or whether we are able
to hold il up so others may, likewise, see 1t,
makes no difference as to its reality aud so
devoted should we be to its discovery, as to
be lost TO all purely personal consideration,
and. rather view those with whom we dis
cuss questions, with arden, sympathy and
high esteem, as co-laborors in the work OF
attaining the highest Of human Objects
fruth-than with illiberality, suspicion, or
animosity.
1t would have been becoming, had Mr..
johnson spoken with more respect for the
learning and capacities Of those whose
opinions he attempts to controvert II
would have seemed in better taste too, II be
had conceded the utmost integrity to those
distinguished statesmen with whom be has
seen proper to differ, and whose opinions, be
with Douglas, has laboriously and methodi-
cally striven to stamp with the seal Of error.
We see nothing, Of consequence, new in
the essay of Reverdy Johnson, as compared
with the writings of Mr.. Douglas upon the
matter in question. The plan OF the former
was doubtless, by q close, lucid aud incontro
vertible system Of logic TO force upon the
public mind, in manner which could not by
anymeans be gainsayed, the positions enter
tained both by Mr.. Douglas and himself.
We have before alluded to the incomplete
ness, Of the views entertained by Mr.. Doug
las relative TO the constitutional power OF
Congress to protect slave property in the
United States Territory before there Is pop
ulation sufficient to constitute ." political
community" Mr.. johnson is q little more
distinct on this point. and maintains the
idea that under the constitution Congress is
powerless to pass any enactments regard
ing slavery in the territories at any stage
of their settlement.
We have no intention to attribute dishon-
esty to the parties that advocate either side
of the question. We believe that there was
an honest misunderstanding when the Kan.
sas Nebraska Bill was voted upon, and we
further believe that there 10 now q no less
Misunderstanding as regards the spirit Of the
decision Of the Supreme Court in the Dred
Scott case. 1t is we'll known TO those who
have noticed the political history of the
country that the slavery agitation was re-
produced, only when new state asked ad
mission into the Union-as Missouri fol
instance, the most noted. Those opposed
to slavery fought with rancor against the
admission Of the state because its constitu-
tion established slavery, and those in favor
of slavery, contended with no less vigor and
firmness; because the proposed state asked
admission with a constitution against slavery
actuated by the balance OF power" idea
no less than by other views This contin.
ued agitation, prejudical to the peace and
welfare Of the whole country, was deeply
deplored BY all truly conservative and pa
triotic men Of the Union, aud radical
remedy was most earnestly sought for, which
in its application, would be, both honorable
: aud successful. Former legislation to thii
: end, Gas the Missouri Compromise) wa,
found to be unconstitutional and som,
thought dishonorable to the South, and o.
last the idea was conceded and poputarly
supported that Congress should be the scene
of no more quarreling over the slavery ques
, tion, and that when new State asked ad-
mission into the Union, wehther her constit
tuition establishes or prohibits slavery ,shoult
be no matter Of controversy but that. slav,
or free, If her constitution was republican il
form, il was sufficient And, IL things has
have gone quietly along all would have beer
serene enough. Nobody then thought o
Beecher's Sbarp's Rifles and fllirbusterin,
from the State OF Massachusetts. Itwa
thought when the Kansas Nebraska Bill
passed, that the settlement on the publ,