Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1859-08-31


.Rssslrrd. That the Constitution confsrs
upon Congress sovereign power over the Ter
rliories Of the united States for their govern
meat. aud that Ia the exercise Of hi. power ~
10 both the right and the duty Of Congress 10
prohibit in the Territories those twin relics of
barbar,sm. poiygamy aud slavery"
The above 10 part Of the Republican plat
form Of 1856. AMI While il snuneis,es correct
doctrine. il insists upon duty. that to cay the
least Of IL, Is fareieai. We have no doubt but
Congress has the right 10 lsgi,laie for the Ter
ritories. and IL slavery did. OF by any posi-
hility could exist there. the power Of Con.
gress to prohibit il. We think j. clear.
In the dietum OF the bred Scott case the
supreme Court Of the United States has as
-eit~d that slavery exist. by virtue OF the
Federal Constitution in q our Territories.
aud President buchanan has said that slavery
Exists 10 Kansas as perfectly as n does in
Georgia. II such is the case. then Congress.
sionsl interference Ia prohibit slavery in the
Territories might be proper. but the oPpcsi
ton party. tLroug hout the entire country. nov
>sy that slavery eau exist nowhere unless
there Is positive Law creating IT, In the alb
seuee Of any Law on that subject then. how
can slavery exist in any Of our Terrific
riesl Then Why say il j. the duty Of Con-
gr,s. 10 prohibit that. which does not exist -
slavery cannot. never could and never ought
to 20 into any Territory even sqssier
sovereignty cannot take IL there. The doc
,rine that slavery is sectional and not natiou.
al - the right doctrine. aud il Is an elevated
bold. defiant position for the Opposition Ia
take. Slavery exists nowhere in this General
Government. outside Of hose States whore there
- positive legislative enactment recognizing
the relation of master aud slave.
Ia his receat essay. published in Hsrper's
Magazine. Mr.. Douglas most eonelusively i'm
pales the position assumed by the President.
that slavery exists in K.nsas as perfectly as IL
does in Georgia. as follows:
1.-THE proposition be true. that the Constitu-
ton establishes slavery in The Territories be
yond the power OF the people legally to control
a.. another result. no less startling. and from
which there Is no escape. must inevitably fol
low The Constitution l. uniform every her !.
within the dominions Of the United Siates-is
the same in Pennsylvania as in Kansas and
II il be true. as stated by the President in a
special message To Congress. that slavery sx
ists in Kansas by virtue Of the Constitution
II the United States. aud that Kansas IL.
therefore, at this moment as much a slave State
a. Georgia. Why does IL not exist IN rennsyl-
vanis by virtue Of the same Constitution 7"
''if IL be said that Pennsylvania Is a sover-
eign State. and. therefore. has a right TO regu-
late the slavery question within her own lim-
It's 10 suit herself, " must be borne ia mind
that the sovereignty OF Pennsy lvania. like that
Of every other State. - liuited by the Consti
tuition. which provides that:
This Constitution. and all laws OF the Uni
ted States which shalt be made in pursuance
thereof. aud all treaties made. or which shall
he made. under the authority OF the United
States. shall be the supreme law Of The land.
Lnd the Judges IN every State shall be bound
therey. amy thing ia the constitution or laws
OF atty State TO the contrary Notwithstanding
Hence, the State Of Pennsylvania. with her
Constitution and laws, domestic institutions.
aud internal policy, Is subordinate To the Con
sltutlon Of the United ) .ates, IN the same
manner. aud 20 the same extent, as the Terri
rory Of Kansas.
Is not this conclusion legitimate. and does
il not logically follow that il the doctrine
enunoiAted by the Supreme Court, aud asser,
ed by Mr.. Buchanan is true. Indiana is. this
very hour. as much a slave State as Georgia
and that we have no power by State constitu
tional clauses to prevent the master from
bringing his slaves among Us, and keeping
them herer How can this state Of things be-
avoided How. Only one way. and that is
Tor the American people. Possessing power
superior 10 all other tribunals, to take the set
Element OF the question into their own hands,
aud by one universal movement. forever settle
the doctrine. that human servitude only
exist IN this General Government. ia those
States rAevs IL 10 rreognssd BY posifiUe lao.