The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-01-31
NIarshall,s lecture.

MarshalPs lecture.
Many of Mr.. Marshalls auditors ON FRI
day evening were not a little surprised to
hear SO frank an avowal of opposition to
the extension of slavery from SO eminent
politician from the other side of the river.
He exulted in the happy consequences of the
enactment of 1881, which had preserved the
great Northwestern territory from the
pestiferous breath of slavery. That ordi-
dinance suggested, by theawisdom and De-
nevolence of Virginia, and drawn up by
jefferson, was rejected by the Congress OF
the Confederation in 1884, at the time of
the cession, but was finally adopted after
the most mature consideration, in 1887, by
a vote of thirteen States, twelve of which
were, at the time, slave States. This act
and the stipulations inserted in the deeds of
cession from North Carolina and Georgia,
that Congress should not enact similar
law for the territory comprising Alabama,
Tennessee and Mississippi, coded to them by
the Confederacy, was full and complete
acknowledgment of the power of Congress
over the subject of slavery in the territories
by the contemporaries of the trainers of the
Constitution. =ss <EfI
Notwithstanding this restrictive clause
in deed to the territories of Tennessee and
Alabama, Congress did subsequently legis-
late slavery in those Territories, and passed
laws prohibiting the introduction into them
of any slaves which should be imported from
Africa, which was then permitted, either
directly or through any of the then slave
holding States. Congress went further:
it declared that no slaves should be carried
into those Territories except by the owner
for his own personal service. The introduc-
ton of slaves for traffic was prohibited I'M
der the severe penalties of forfeiture of the
slave, who was made free by the act of his
master violating the law, Here was the
most unlimited exercise of legislative power
over the subject, which was acquiesced in
and confirmed by both free and Slave States.
The Missouri Compromise, enacted by the
Southern against Northern votes, was re-
iteration of the same doctrines, and repeti-
tionof the exercise of the same power.
Thomas, of Illinois, introduced the act
and Douglas had effected its repeal. Hi
nois, therefore, was entitled to the credit OF
proposing the measure, and would have the
fame-good or bad-of instigating its re-
peal. IS
The Oregon Territorial bill-excluding
slavery from the Paci6c-=was passed by
Democratic southern votes, and approved
by Southern Democratic President ant
was a very recent recognition of the SOUND
old Wing doctrine of the unlimited juris
dictioa of Congress over the Territories ,
doctrine that had been settled-aDd une
quivocally settled--if contemporary con
struction, precedent, and practice through
the whole history of the government coulc
establish the practical working of and prin
ciple of the Constitution. 81
The Slavery agitation was the work O
demagogues, raised for the most selfish an,
unholy designs of party and personal ag
grandizement It had aroused deep an
embittered sectional feelings-and estrange
the South from the North. But he felt n
alarm for the safety of the country and tn
integrity of the Union. This vast valley
the Mississippi was the seat of future en-
pire. With its head famed with the coolin
breezes of the Northern Lakes and its fe,
bathed by the tepid waves of the Gulf
right hand grasping the golden gates of I'll
commerce of the Pacific, its left controllin
the sources of the Atlantic commerce,
would hold all sections of the Union fast
its bosom, and crush out disloyalty and r.
bellion wherever it might rear its head
Though be could watch without fear of ser
Gus disaster, the angry pillows of the ragir
storm of sectional strife, and looked vii
a confident and hopeful eye to the peacef
calm that was soon to succeed it, he cou
not find terms to express his adherence al
execration of those traitors to the harmon
and peace of the country, who, for base, an
bilious purposes, had endangered the UniC
and ieopardized the prospects of civil fire.
dom in the world