Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-01

Peace Convention, which differs somewhat
from what we were led to believe by the first
telegrsphic report. The report provides that
all present territory north Of SO deg. 80 min.,
shall be free. In territory south Of that line,
slavery as Il now exists, shall not be inter-
fered with by Congress or territorial legisla-
tors but shall be subject to the decisions Of
the Supreme Court So that the question
will rest, at any and all times, with that tri-
bunal.
Itis provided further that no territory shall
here fer be acquired except by separate ma
jorides of the free and slave States that is,
considering each as independent portions of
the country. Is this as just as to require
majority OF the Senators ef the country ir-
respective OF sections The territory, if any
shall hereafter be acquired, will be, or should
be, for the general good Is it fair, then, put
it in the power Of either section to reject such
territory, notwithstanding majority of the
whole number Of the States desire it2
The further provisions Of the report are
such as will meet with general appreciation,
SO far as they 60. The omission Of any ref
erence to future territory (which may be ac-
guired according to the second sectiOu) is an
important feature which should not be over
looked, ,iuasmuch as it leaves the whole ques-
ton TO be discussed over again when such an
occasion arises. The STAKEHOLDER will de-
mand Congressional protection for his slaves,
and we shall have more "squatter sovereign
ty" and more "agitatiOn."
twill be seen that this proposition was not
unanimously a6Optedi so far from it indeed,
that but for the absence of one Commissioner,
the vote would have been a tie. Three of the
,aost important slaves States voted against it,
viz Virginia, North Carolina and Missouri
Will they consider themselves bound by the
compact and will the people of those States
acouiesee? If net then we are all aaoat
again.
Below we give the report.
SEC /. In all the present territory of the
United States north Of the parallel Of thirty
six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, in
voluntary serTitude, except in punishment of
CT. me. is prohibited. In all the territory south
of that line the status OF persons held to SER
vice or labor, as it now exists, shall not be
changed. Nor shall any law be passed by
Congress or he Territorial Legislature to
hinder or prevent the taking Of such persons
from any OF the States Of this U'ion to said
Territory nor to impair the rights arising
from said relation. But tie same shall be
subjected to Judicial cognizanCe in the federal
courts according to the course Of the common
law. When any Territory, north or south of
said line, with such boundary as Congress
may prescribe, shall contain population
equal to that required for a member Of Con-
gress, it shall, if its form Of government be
/ republican, be admitted into the Union on an
equal footing with the original states, with or
without involuntary servitude, as the consti-
tuition Of such State may provide.
SEC. 2. No territory shall be acquired by
the United States, except by discovery and
for naval and commercial stations, depots
and transit routes, without the concurrence of
/ a majority of all the Senators from the States
which allow involuntary servitude, and ma
| lori of all the Senators from States which
prohibit that relation; nor shall territory be
acquired by treaty, unless the votes Of ma
| iority of the Senators from each class of
| States hereinbefore mentioned be cast as a
part of the two-third majority necessary to
/ the ratification Of such treaty.
| SEC. 2. Neither the Constitution, nor any
amendment thereto, shall be construed to
| give Congress power to regulate, abolish or
control, within any State or Territory Of the
United States, the relation established or re-
coguized by the laws thereof, touching per
sons bound to labor or involuntary service in
the District of Columbia, without the consent
| of MARYLAND, and without consent Of the
owners, or making the owners who do not
! consent Just compensation; nor the power tc
interfere with or prohibit representatives and
others from bringing with them to the City
of Washington, retaining and taking away
persons so bound to labor or service; nor the
mower to interfere with or abolish involun-
tarv service in places under the exclusive
Jurisdiction Of the United States within those
States and Territories where the same is es-
tablished or recognized; nor the power tC
prohibit the removal or transportation OF per.
| sons held 70 labor or involuntary service il
auy State or Territory of the United State;
TO any other State CT Territory thereof where
It is established or recognized by law o.
usage: and the right during transportation
bv sea or river, of touching at ports, shore!
and landings, and of landing in case of dis
tress, but not for sale or traffic, shall exist
nor shall Congress have power to authOrizt
any higher rate Of taxation on persons helC
to labor or service than on land. The bring
ing into the District of Columbia Of persons
J held to labor or service for sale, or placing
them in depOts to be afterwards transferred Il
other places for sale as merchandise, is pro
| hibited, and the right of transit through an!
State or Territory against its dissent is pro
hibited.
SEC. 4. The third paragraph Of the second
section Of the fourth article Of the constitu
ton shall not be construed to prevent any 0
the States, by appropriate legislation ant
through the action of their Judicial and min
isterial officers, from enforcing the deliver!
of fuqitives from labor to the person to whom
such Service or labor Is due.
SEC. 5. The foreign slave trade is hereb.
forever prohibited, and it shall be the duty Q
Congress to pass laws to prevent the importa
ton of slaves, coolies, or persons held to ser
vice or labor, into the United States and Ter
fitories from places beyond the limits thereof
SEC. 6. The first third and fifth sections
together with this section six Of these amend
ments, and the third paragraph Of the secon
section Of the first article Of the Constitution
, and the third paragraph Of the second sectiOl
of the fourth article thereof, shall not b
amended or abolished without the consent G
all the States.
SEc. Z. Congress shall provide by law tina
, the United States shall pay to the owner tn
full value Of his fugitives from labor, in a
cases where the Marshal or other officer who's
duty il was to arrest such fugitive, was pre-
vented from so doing by violence or intimi
dation from mobs or riotous assemblages, Q
when, after arrest, such fugitive was rescue
, by like violence or intimidation, and tn
owner thereby prevented and obstrueted
the pursuit Of his remedy for the recovery
s,,,b fno;tivp Congress shall provide by LAY