The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-03-15
Cniciyo Republican.

Al the Cnciso election last week. the Rapnb-
licins had glorious victory. Wentworth was
eIecte Mayor by majority OF LAS, anI the
balance of the ticket cam, out just about the
SIM. The Republicans have 10 aud the demo
Gratis in the CJincil The hons OF Douglas
,oss not ailter hi,n much. Douglas aud Re-
uubicsn was tho ISSUE and Republican came
out sh,ad. Where is Kendall! Would 1t not
be we'll to add this to his chapter Of Orncns?
The Territorial slave Code--'rhc Argument
and It's Answcrs
The resolution. adopted by the Democratic U. 5.
Senator'S are evidently TO constitute the platform
orthat party in the coming Presidential campaign
They were drawn up tor that express purpose,
aud are received in that light by democrats gen
orally. They propose u slave code for the terri
tories; in other words, they assert the doctrine
that slavery exists OF right uul by constitutional
authority in .he Territories of the United States.
The argument used--the only one that can be
aresented--in ldvOr of this doctrine, is very sim
pic in its character, aud is ever ready upon the
tongue of every small beer and lager beer polit-
ic, talkcr in that party. 1t is this: That the
territories were purchased by the common blood
aud treasure OF the whole country; aud there.
fore one has Just as good right to take his prop
crty there as another; especially when said
property is recogniz 1t us such by tbs con-
slitutiun of the United States. There is the
whole argument in nut tsheII, and on its face,
Mt first sight, it looks quito plausible, But let
us look little beneath the surface
Tho assertion that the territories belong to the
respective States ,equaly,is true; aud all property
common TO all the Slatesor that is property under
common law, must be recognized as such in the
territories. But special privileges, vested in ind-
viduas or corporations by State laws cannot be
carried beyond the limits Of the State granting
the same. A Railroad Charter granted by Ohio
10 corporate body Of her citizens, and author.
izlns them to forcibly take possession of the
lands ncrcSsary for the construction Of pro.
posed road We Id no; be Of service to such cor
porate body only where the authority couicrring
the power was recognized. So it is with slave
~. 1t is emphaticaly n creation of State law
md only exists by virtue Of special enactment.
There is no such thing as human slavery known
to the common law. The right to hold slaves
is granted power received from State uuthori.
ty aud can only be exercised where the authori-
" ofgranting power is resognizsd This point
might bc illustrated to mn almost unlimited ex-
tent. but the render can trace it out.
The doctrine of the resolutions referred to,
leu Is inevitably to tho conclusion that slavery
goes wherever the constitution Of the United
States is isrecognizcd as the supreme law, II does
nots op with Territories but it Carricsit into
States. Are the democrats Of Wood co. prepared
for this step? viii they longec adhere TO n par
ty that advocates measures which, if carried out,
must result in giving protection to tho slavehol-
der in every State anl Territory of this Union?
Tnink soberly; think honestlyi and let your yer,
diet ba founded upon reason aud conscience, and
We fear nat the result.