Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-01-09
Constitution md the laws, are held to ser,

Constitution ana the laws, are held 10 sers
vice and labor.
The Territories OF the United States be.
long TO the General Govern ment, an d in
those territories the people Of the sever
al States unquestionably have equal rights.
They were acquired by means OF CON-
mon expenditure of blood and treasure,
By the Federal Constitution power is giv>
en- TO Congress ''to dispose Of and make
all needrul rules aud regulations respect,
ing the territory and other prop erty be-
longing TO the United States" Whether
under this or any other power conferred
by the Constitution, Congress can pro.
hibit or protect slavery in the territories,
has been seriously questioned. But, il
the power to legislate upon this delicate
and important subject was clearly vested
in Congress, in my judgment il ought not :
to be exercised. To declare that slavery
shall not existin the Territories, is calcu-
lated to exclude from their OCCUPANCY
the citizens of the southern or slave hold
ing States while, to make it legal insti,
tuition in all the territories ofthe United
States, by Congressional enactment, and
to provide for its continuance during
their entire territorial existence, would be
equally injurious to the people of the free
States. The principle adopted ip the
Compromise measures of 1850, for dispos,
ing of the question of slavery in New
Mexico and Utah, and reiterated in the
Kansas and Nebraska bills of 1854, of non
intervention by Congress with slavery in
the States and in the Territories is the
true rule. 1t is the duty of Congress,
when a sufficient number of hardy and
adventurous pioneers find their way into
our distant Territories, to furnish them
shield of protection and form Of goqern-
ment but to the people themselves be-
long the right to regulate their own do.
mestic institutions in their own way, SUBJ
ject only to the Constitution of the United
States.
While these views have long been en-
tertaned by me, and while | am sincerely
of the opinion that their general adoption
and fairhful enforcement would have
preserved and may yet restore, peace and
harmony to all sections of the country, I
am nevertheless not so welded to them
not TO reject. unceremoniously, all other
propositions for the settlement of ths
vexed questions which now threaten to
sunder the bonds which for three quar-.
! ters of century have made us one people
Forty years ago our fathers settled an
angry controversy growing out of a smi-
lar question, by dividing the Territories
| purchased from France, and providing
| that slavery or involuntary servtude,
should not exist north of a certain limo.
and the whole country acquiesced in thai
compromise. In 1854, that restriction
upon slavery was removed, and the people
of all the Territories were left free to do
eide the question for themselY,s s. Now
the sectional issue is again presented, By
! the dominant party in the north. claiming
| that slavery cannot legally 90 into the
Territories even if sanctioned by Con,
gress or the Territorial Legislature and
that it is the right and the duty of Con.
gress to prohibit its existence. While the
doctrine which obtains with q majority Of
the people in most of the southern States,
is that under the Constitution, the Terri. '
, tories are all open 10 slavery; thst ne,
ther Congress nor the Territorial Legisla-
ture can lawfully prohibit its existence,
and that it is the duty of Congress to pro
wide for it all needful protection, may We
not wisely follow the example of our ia.
theirs, by reenactng the old comproniise
line Of 1920, and extending it to the boun'
Diary of California Not by the means Of
Legislation of doubtful consttutionaliy
but by an amenmentd to the Constitution
itself, and thus permanently fix the con-
dition of the Territories, so that those who
desire to occupy them may find lhome
at their discretion, either where slavery
is tolerated, or where it is prohibited. Il
the adoption Of such an amendment
would peacefully settle tho difficulties
which now surround us, / AN satisfied that
it would be sanctioned by the peoplec Of
| Pennsylvania. At all events, they should
have an opportunity to accept or rejectit
it made as peace offering. ] would
therefore, recommend the General Assem-
bly, to instruct and request our Senators
and Representatives in Congress TO sup
port n proposition for such an amendment
Of the Constitution, TO be submitted for
ratification or rejection, to convention Of
delegates, elected directly by the peopls
of the State.
In the event of the failure of Congres
speedily 10 propose this or a simG
amendment, TO the Constitution, The
citizens Of Pennsylvania should have an
opportunity, by the application of soms
peacerbe remedy, to prevent the dismem'
berment of this Union. This can only
be done by calling convention Of dele
gotes, TO be elected by the people, with
view solely to the consideration of wbsi
measures should be taken to meet tbs
present fearful exigences. If Congre.
should propose no remedy, let it emanat
from the source ofall authority, the people
themselves.
Every attempt, upon the part of ndt
viduals, or of organized societies, to lead
the people away from their allegiance y
the government. to induce them to vo
late any of the provisions of the ConstiU
ten. or to incite instructions in any
the States of this Union, ought tok
prohibited by law, as crimes of treason
ble natute. 1t is of the first importana
to the perpetuity Of this great Union, thu
the hearts of the people, and the aciie1
of their constituted authorities should
in unison, in giving faithful support