The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-06-20

QreSS not only cXeIciSeu tuo Po"Ci oniooS
toned of prohibiting the existence Of slave
ry in the Territories. and of requiring the
State Constitutions to conform to the pro-
visions of the ordinance, but it exercised
the power of regulating slavery in the
Southwestern Territories.
Under the provisions Of the Constitution,
Congress could not restrain the foreign
slave trade until the year 1908, and that
Infamous traffic was regarded as legitimate
commerce. And yet, in 1894, Congress
Disseminated against this species of prop
erty, and prohibited the carrying Of slaves
to any foreign country, and utterly con-
demned slaves and slavery as an article Of
commerce. In 1898, ten years before
Congress had authority to prohibit the i'm
portation Of African slaves into the States,
in the act for the government Of the Miss
issippi Territory, the seventh section makes
it unlawful to bring slaves into the Mississ.
ippi Territory from any place without the
United States; imposes fine Of $500 for
every slave thus brough ght into the Territory
in violation of the provisions Of the act, and
gives to every slave thus brought in, his
or her freedom. The doctrine Of "non-
Intervention" had not been invented at
that time, and the Congress Of that day
was not hindered by constitutional scruples
from exercising the sovereign power of pro-
hibiting the African slave trade in the Ter.
ritores ten years before they were author.
lied to make the same prohibition in the
States
In 1904, when the Louisiana Territory
was organized, similar provisions were en-
acted, prohibiting the introduction of slaves
into the Territory from any place without
the United States, with an additional provis-
ion against the introduction of any slaves
from the States, that had been imported
since 1893, exercising unquestioned, ex-
press authority to prohibit and regulate
Slavery. and all other matters. in the Ter.
ritories These acts were approved by jeff
erson-authority which the Democratic par
ty has never had the hardihood dispute.
Congress afterwards in the year 1886 re-
pealed and nullified the Territorial acts Of
Florida incorporating certain banks and
insurance companies, and this act received
the sanction Of General jackson. Congress
also,in several instances, legislated in rela.
ton to slavery in Florida.
In the year 1900, a petition from Miss
issippi Territory was sent into Congress,
praying for admission to take slaves into
the Territory. This petition was intro
duced into tho House Of Representatives.
The House passed bill entitled, An act
to permit. in certain cases, tho bringing Of
slaves into the Mississippi Territory"
This Territory was at the southern ex.
tremity of the United States, and altogeth-
er surrounded by an old slaveholding popu-
lation The bill passed the House without
a division. It was sent to the Senate,
where Thomas Jefferson presided, be be
ing Vice President, where it was rejected
by vote Of IA to 5.
From this statement it will be seen, Mr.
President. that for long period in the his
tory of the Government, and Of the Demo
cratic party under its most distinguished
leaders. the power of the Government over
its Territories, in all respects. was unques
toned and that the wise and statesman
like policy of restricting and regulating
slavery was invaribly pursued.
But, "then arose new king which
knew not Joseph" The precepts and ex
ample of Jefferson were discarded. An in
fluence appeared in the Southern States
which sought to change the settled policy
of the Government. and to establish ant
perpetuate the institution of slavery. Thi
influence shall denominate the slave pow
er. Perhaps its first attempt to control tn
Democratic party was in the nomination o
President in 1874. Having acquired
large additional strength by the admission
Of the States of Louisiana, Missouri, Arkan
sas and Florida, from territory acquired b.
treaty and purchase, this same power unde
the Presidential canvass Of that year. AM
to commit the Democrat party to tha
measure Mr. Van Bureu was q prominen
candidate for nomination at the Baltimor
convention; and it was known that, durin
his Presidency, he had rejected proposal
for the annexation Of Texas, while Mexic
refused to acknowledge her independents,
and hostilities existed between those tw
Republics. As pretext for defeating b
nomination, letter was thereupon addres
cd to Mr.. Van Buren, inquiring whethe
| he favored the present annexation Of Texa
t He replied, in manly and statesmanlik
r terms, that although he did desire the al
D nexation of Texas, he could never consel
!. to the measure at the expense Of involvir
f US in war with our sister Republic of Mex
!; co, between whom and this Govsrnme1
there existed treaty of peace and frien
e ship. The publication of the letter product
e the desired effect; and, amidst great e
citement, the nomination Of Mr. Van B
rem was defeated, and James K. Polk b
i. came the candidate Of the party. This "
an open signal triumph Of the slave po'
e err; and resolutions were passed in favor
= the immediate annexation of Texas
!; The discipline of the Democratic par
q was at that time rigid and exact but nc
!: / and then brave and honest man. like Il
l. friend from New Hamshire, who sits ne
$: me. Mr.. Hale. refused submission to
VI dictation, and openly opposed the anne,
le ton Of Texas. There was danger of a ge
'e eral outbreak in the party, and somethi
,e must be done to allay their fears. At ii
D. eonjuncture. Mr.. James Buchanan. ther
p Senator of the United States, and then, a
Al