Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1860-07-21
The Territorial Question.
THE PRESIDENTS STATEMENT OF II CASE.

While the discussions by distinguished .sena.
tors are giving fresh and vivid interest to the
Territorial question, it will doubtless crafty
many to have at hand the views of the President,
as stated in his annual message at the opening
Of the present session. We therefore present
below the portion of that document which bears
upon the subject:
cordially congratulate you upon the final
settlement, by the Supreme Court of the United
States, of the question of slavery in the Terri
tories, which had presented an aspect so truly
formidable at the commencement of my admin
%istration. The right has been established of
every citizen to take his property of any kind,
including slaves, into the common Territories
belonging equally to all the States of the Con-
federacy, and to have it protected there under
the Federal Constitution. Neither Congress.
nor a Territorial Legislature, nor any human
power, has any authority to annul or impair
this vested right. The supreme judicial tribu-
nal OF the country, which is a coordinate branch
of the Government, has sanctioned and affirmed
these principles of constitutional law, so mani
testify just in themselves, and so well calculated
topromote peace and harmony among the States.
1t is a striking proof of the sense of justice which
is Inherent in our people that the property in
49, y A"3 HSTSA oSSH uleGtl VI. u Ill Il
edge, in any of the Territories. Even through
out the late troubles in Kansas. there has not
been any attempt, as l am credibly informed. to
Interfere in a single instance with the rights of
the master. Had any such attempt been made,
the judiciary would doubtless have afforded an
adequate remedy. Should they fail to do this
hereafter, it will then be time enough to
strengthen their hands by further legislation.
Had it been decided that either Congress or |
the Territorial Legislature possess the power to
annul' or impair the right of property in slaves.
the evil would be intolerable. In the latter
event, there would be a struggle for a majority
of the members of the Legislature at each sue
cessive election, and the sacred rights of proper
tY held under the Federal Constitution would
depend, for the time being, ON the result. The
agitation would thus be rendered incessant
whilst the Territorial condition remained. and
its baneful influence would keep alive a dan
gerous excitement among the people of the sever
al States.
Thus has the status of a Territory, during tie
intermediate period from its first settlement
until it shall become a State, been irrcvocably
by the final decision of the Supreme Court.
has this been for the prosperity of
the Territories, as we'll as the tranquility of the
States. Now, emigrants from the North and
South, the East and West, will meet in the Ter
litories on a common platform, having brought
$3.50 N '5pSOAN9 PAcpSity pCst duuptcU.
in their own opinion, to promote their welfare.
From natural causes the slavery question will
IN each case soon virtually settle itself; and be-
the Territory is prepared for admission as
4 State into the Union, this decision. one way or
The other, will have been a foregone conclusion.
Meanwhile, the settlement of the new Terri
'ory will proceed without serious interruption,
md its progress and prosperity will not be
endangered OF retarded by violent political
When, in the progress Of events, the inhabi-
ANTS of any Territory shall have reached the
number required to form a State. they will then
proceed in a regular manner, and in the exercise
If the rights of popular sovereignty. to form a
preparatory to admission into the
Union. After this has been done. toempley the
anglage OF the Kansas and Nebraska act, they {
shall be received into the Union with or without f
as their Constitution may prescribe at
he time of their admission" This sound prin- {
'lple has happily been recognized, in some form
II other, by an almost unanimous vote of both
1OuScS of COnpreSs