The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-06-06

suDlect. Congress, IN constituting the terri-
torial government. may grant just 50 much
as il pleases Of the power Of legislation, and
any other power to govern, to the territorial
government; and the territorial government
may exercise whatever is granted to il. II
Congress had the power. for instance. Of
expelling or excluding slavery from the Ter
ritories. they might grant even that to the
territorial government.
Not wasting any more time upon this sub
ject, wish TO call the attention Of the
Senate for moment to calm consideration
Of the real grievance at which these resolu-
tions are aimed, and for the correction OF
which they are intended. What is that, sir !
The grievance complained Of is that slave
property in the Territories is left. not only
without adequate protection, but may be left
10 measures Of the territorial government
impairing the right Of property in slaves.
That is the grievance. II isin apprehension
that the Territories will not give laws ade-
qaate TO the protection OF such property,
but on the contrary may act against that
property by hostile or unfriendly legislation.
That is the apprehended evil. l believe
my honorable friend from Mississippi, who
introduced these resolutions. did at the time
be proposed them admit that there existed
now no actual grievance calling for the in.
terposition Of this Government.
Nr. DAVIS. As my friend from Kentucky
refers to me, would merely say that did
not intend either to admit or deny the fact.
| considered the declaration of principle to
be coeterna with the existence of our Gov
eminent, and cnextensive with the whole
country, not necessarily dependent upon the
particular fact 10 relation to any particular
locality and neither intended to admit or
deny.
Me- cRrIESDES. I understand the gen.
tleman now. The amendment which is
proposed, and which is now the immediate
subject of debate. declares that there is no
such existing grievance at the present mo
ment. Is, then. according to the resolution
itself. an apprehended Or prospective mis-
chief against which the power Of this Gov
eminent is to be invoked for the purpose Of
securing that description Of property in the
Territories. As the territorial government
has no sovereign or independent right to act
on this subject. the Supreme Court Of the
United States having determined that every
citizen Of the United States may go into that
Territory carrying his slaves with him, and
holding them there. my opinion is, that the
Constitution is to protect that property which
il has authorized to 60 there. OF course, that
is logical conclusion. II seems to me it is
unquestionable. To assert my right 10 90
there, TO carry my property there, and to
enjoy that property, and then to say there is
anybody stronger or mishtier or more sove
reign than the Constitution that can take
from me that which the Constitution SAYS
shall have and enjoy, or shall expel me from
the place where the constitution says may
60, can imagine nothing so inconsistent
and so contradictory. ! say, therefore, when
the proper or extreme case occurs; when
property going there under the sanction Of
the Constitution. as interpreted BY the Su-
preme Court Of the United States. shall re-
quire such interp0sition. that il is the duty
Of Congress to interpose and grant protec
tion. Give itand give it adequately. That
is my opinion.
But still there is much TO be considered
in relation TO this subject. When your
property goes there: when il constitutes
part of the political community; and when
q NNNN Aihk - @NNHl
to territorial government, who Is 70 make
police laws to regulte such property: Is
It not. in every case. question Of expsdi.
ency, whether this government will interfere
Here is community made up Of citizens
differing in opinion. as we do, upon this sub.
ject Of slavery here is ample power 70 pass
all police laws, and all laws for the internal
ii the country, blacks as well
as whites included. When is Congress to
I l. there any case now demand. |
ing an interference This resolution sup.
poses not; suppose noi. | suppose that
there is no existing ease 10 which Congress
would think il wise or expedient now to IN.
terfrre BY IFS admitted power of interpostion
when recessary. Would il be policy in
Congress 10 interpose except IN an extreme
;sse: The ground upon which YOU would
must be made up Of a variety Of
TO be judged Of AZ the time.
What is the difficulty in the interference ;
=. Al II. 49,