The Shasta courier., 1860-03-03
SHASTA COURIER.
CoAAUSICAIED-
The Slave Code.

What is it? Most of the Abolition and Re-
publican papers in the State are making great
ado about the Slave Code, as they call it, and by
asserting that the National Administration Dem.
ocracy are in favor of a slave code, and that
slave code is legislation in favor of slavery in
the Territories. seek to frighten men from the
support of Governor Wise, of Virginia, and all
the politicians and statesmen of his political
views on this subject They further say, and in
shis many Douglas Democrats join that by ad-
yocating what they term the slave code the
supporters of Wise are placing themselves in the
same position that the Abolition party occupy
This, to the mind of your correspondent, is
the most reckless and false position which could
possibly be assumed. The position which the
opposition assume on this subject is this:-they
impledly admit that by the Constitution, and
under the compromise of the Union, slavery or
slave property could go into the Territories in
their territorial state, and by legislation seek to
keep it out. Hence the Missouri restriction
hence the Wilmot Proyiso-hence the present
Abolition doctrine.
The Administration Democracy, on the other
hand, claim that since under the Constitution
slave property can go to the Territories, Con-
gress having control over the Territories-hav-
ing the right to pass all needful rules and reg
ulations in regard to the Territories and other
property-having power and exercising the
power to establish Courts-and the Constitution
recognizing slaves as property, that the owners
OF such property should be protected in its en-
joyment, until the people, in their sovereign
capacity, when about to form State govern
ment, say that slavery shall not exist in the
State to be formed. This is what is meant by
slave code for the Territories and it is but ex-
ercisinga protectorate over the common proper
~ of the nation. Whether such legislation is
needed depends altogether upon the fact whe-
ther the Kansas-Nebraska Act intended to give
the first halfdozen who put foot on new terrific
ry the right to pass " unfriendly legislation in
regard to this species of property, or whether it
is an act of State Sovereignty alone which can
do it.
If the Interpretation which the President and
his followers place upon that act be adopted as
the policy of the country in the future, there is
no necessity for legislation upon the subject, but
If it be true, as Mr.. Douglas and his followers
assert, that the people, whether many or few,
can legislate unfriendly" then the Federal
Government should interfere, and assert its do
minion over the Territory, and protect her cit
liens in the enjoyment of a common property.
In no case can any one who really and truly
wishes even-handed justice meted out to all the
citizens of the Union, object to legislation on
this subject, nor can any object to Governor
Wise because of his advocacy of this doctrine
An accidental majority may make law, and if
we admit that majoritiss are always right we
must admit that even the San Francisco Vigi-
lance Committee was right and that the law
which said " Thou shalt not murder" was alto
gether too old fogyish to be considered a safe
rule of action. Legislation in aid of just law
as defined by the Constitution is the object of
the followers of Governor Wise whilst the Alb
oiitionists, ct id omns genus, propose by legsla-
tion to keep the people of position of the
Union from enjoying what with their blood and
treasure they aided to procure. In this i, the
difference one seeks to do justice, the others
seek to perpetrate frGrd.
These thoughts are thrown out hurriedly, but
may be eliminated further should have leisure
in future number of the Courier
Your correspondent cares little whether we
have slave code by Congress, or whether the
people are restricted in the expression of leg
islative opinion on the subject of slavery until
they form State Constitution.
In conclusion permit me to say that Daniel S.
Dickinson, Of New York, is, | believe, the most
available candidate for the Presidency, and en-
tirely acceptable to ne, but that Gev. Wise's
" slave code" is the least of all possible objec-
tons, in the opinion of your subscriber, which
should be urged against him by honest, right
thinking men. Respectfully,
ADMINISTRATION.