Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-10-04
From ll,e Hun,.ril!e Democrat
Federal Pro:oetion Slavery in the Territories the
Doctrine Of the Alabama States Rights Democracy
in 1850

Federal Pro:setion to Slavery in the Territories the
Doctrine Of the Alabama States Rights Democracy
in 1850.
The following resolutions were introduced
into the Southern Convention at Nashville
in 1850. by lloa. John L. Campbell, now
Judge NJ the Supreme Cont Of the United
States, advocated in speeches in that Coaven-
ton bv Hon. George Goldlhwaiic and Burwcl
&. Boykin. voted for w all these gentlemen,
and Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick, l.. p. Walker
Reuben Chapman, Reuben Shorte-, Thomas
\. Walker, John Anthony Winston, and
every other Democratic delegate from Ala
bama except Hon. Daniel Coleman and I. b.
Berthea, by Capt. Nicholas Davis, 4 South
crn Rights Wing, and finally adopted by p
large majority of the Convention. They were
supported by Mcssrs. b. c. Humphreys and
VIM Ackem in their canvass for the IcciSIa.
turc in this county, By Col. J. }. Scib!cS
ton then of the advertiser and Gazette"
by Hon John Forsyth, then Editor ri the Co.
mnbuS OGa.) Times now Of the Mobile
"RrgiStcr;;' and by near!y every prominent
Democratic politician and newspaper Of this
State: and Hon. benjamin Fitzpatrick, and G..
{. Clay, IT., were elected Ia the United States
Senate IN November. 1862, with the full W.
Outstanding Of their endorsement % the action
Of the Nashville Convention and sympathy
with the States Rights men who supported II.
rs Editor Of the democrat We supported
these resolutions then AMI. lrt others turn
their back on their principles, ~ they may, We
do not intend To Clange front on the rGlnc-
ulcS these resolutions contain, bui support
them To the end; until their full recognition H.:
the Federal Gove;nmcn; or Southern r"!cmi.
ton from Federal Abolition inraldom.
We quote the resolutions and some accom-.
panying remarks from 4 late number OF the
Nashville 1T Mon, rs follows:
The resolutions cuntc;.d Tor tie very doc
trinc subsequently announced 10y the supreme
Court in the case OF Irc! Scott. The first
resolution asserts
That the territories o. the United States be-
long to the People Of the several States OF the
Union, rs their common property. Thr, lie
citizens Of the several States have cqna! rights
To migrate with their property to these tc'rito-
rcs. and are equally entitled to the protection
OF the Federal Government in the enjoyment
of that property, 81 long Is the territories ~
main under the charge OF that government"
The second resolution declares:
That Congress has 10 power 10 exclude
from the territory Of the United States any
property lawfully held in the States ct The
Union. and any act which may bc paS,t| 10y
Congress to effect this result, * 4 plain VIOLA
ton of the Constitution vi t!.r nItrd States.
Here is nm emphatic declaration that the
Missouri Restriction VAS an unconstitutional
measrrc-a doctrine now fuliy established by
the decision of the Supreme Court.
But after insisting on Interrogation ny Con-
c,rcs, oc the doctrines set forth in the rc>olu-
lions we have given abovI, ia: Convention u.
solved
That in the event It icninan; majority
shall refuse to recognize the great constitutional
rights we assert, and shall continue to deny the
obligation Of the Federal Government TO main.
tain thea, it is the sense Of this Convention
that tic territories should be treatcdaS proper
ty and divided between the sections vi tie
Union. 80 that the rights ci both sections be
adequately secured in their respective shares.
That We arc aware this course is open TO grave
objection, but We are ready 10 acTUcScc IN the
adontiom Of the line OF - dcg. )" min. North
latitude, cXtcndin. TO the Pacific ocean, a IN
extreme concession, upon consideration ri what
is iu" t. the stability pi our Institutions
Tie >nu,h-in Convention then, ;" iar from
a,lor,in. The Missouri Restriction. pronounced
the principle it contains unconstitutional and
unirs, 10 the south l,rarnc,tly insisted that
Congress should open up all the territories Of
the Union 10 the introduction d every spcrl"'
of propc,ly existing in ny 81 The States .!
the Mon. which was afterwards done lay tn"
! Kansas Nebraska BID.