The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-01-10

during their entire territorial existence
would be equally injurious to the peopl,
OF the Free States. The principle adop
ted in the Compromise measures of 1850
for disposing of the question Slavery il
New Mexico and Utah, and reiterated il
the Kansas and Nebraska bills of 1851
of noD-intervention by Congress with Sla
very in the Territories, is the true rule
1t is the duty of Congress, when sufficient
number of hardy and adventurous pioneers
fnd their way into our distant territories
to furnish them a shield of protection
and form of government; bot to the peo.
pie themselves belongs the right to regu.
late their own dopestio institutions in
their owu way, subject only to the Consti.
tuition of the United States.
While these views have been long en-
tertaned BY me. and while | am sincere
ly OF the opinion that their general adop-
ton. and faithful enforce ment, would have
preserved, and may yet restore. peace
and harmony to all sections of our coun-
try, | an nevertheless not so welded to
them as to reject, unceremoniously, all
other propositions for the settlement OF
the vexed questions which now threaten to
sunder the bonds which, for three quar-
ters of century, have made us one peo-
pie. Forty years ago, our fathers settled
an angry controversy growing out of a
similar question. BY dividing the Terrific
ries purchased from France, and provi-
ding that slavery. or involuntary servi.
tude, should not exist north Of certain
line; and the whole country acquiesced
10 that compromise In 1854, that re-
striction upon Slavery was removed, and
the people of all the Territories were left
free to decide the question for themselves.
Now the sectional issue is again present
ed. by the dominant party in the North
claiming that Slavery cannot legally go
into the Territories, even if sanctioned by
Congress, or the Territorial Legislature;
and that it is the right and duty of Con
gress to prohibit it's existence.
While the doctrine which obtains with
q majority of the people in most of the
Southern States is that, under the Consti
tuition, the Territories are all open to Sla-
very; that neither Congress nor the Terri
torial Legislature can lawfully prohibit
its existence, and that it is the duty of
Congress to provide for it all needful pro
lection; may We not wisely follow the ex-
ample of our fathers, by re-eDactiug the
old compromise line of 1920. aud exten-
ding it to the boundary of California =
Not by the means of legislation of doubt
full coDstitutionality, but by an amend
ment to the Constitution itself, and thus
permanently fix the condition of the Ter
ritories, 70 that those who desire to occu-
py them may fnd home, at their dis
cretion. either where slavery is tolerated
or where it is prohibited. II the adop.
tion of such an amendment would peace
fully settle the difficulties which now sur
round Us, | am satisfied that it would be
sanction by the people Of PeDnsylvania.-
At all events, they should have an oppor-
tunity to accept or reject it, if made as a
peace-offering. would, therefore, re-
commend the General Assembly to in
struct and request our Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress to support prop
ositon for such an amendment to the Con-
stitution, to be submitted for ratification
or rejection. to a Convention of delegates
elected directly by the people of the State.
In the event of the failure of Congress
to propose this. or similar amendment,
to the Constitution, the citizens of Penn
sylvania should have an opportuny, by
the application of some peaceable RENE
dy, to prevent the dismemberment of this
Uunion This can only be done BY call
ing Convention of delegates, to be cleo
ted BY the people. with view solely to
the consideration of what measures should
be taken to NEE. the present fearful ext
gencies. If Congress should propose nc
remedy, let it emanate from the source o.
all authority. the people themselves
Every attempt upon the part of indi
viduals or of organized societies to lead
the people away FROM their allegiance tc
the Government, to induce them to sio
late any of the provisions of the Constitu
ton, or to incite Instructions in any o.
the States Of this Union, ought TO be pro
hibited by law ss crimes of treasonablt Il
nature. 1t is of the frst importance tc
the perpetuity Of this great Union, tha
the hearts of the people, and the actor
of their constituted authorities, should b
in unison in giving a faithful support t.
the Constitution of the United States
The people of PeunsylVania are devoted
to the Union. They will follow its star
and its stripes through every peril. But
before assuming the high responsihilitie
now dimly foreshadowed. it is thelr sol
emn duty to remove every justcause of CON
plant against themselves, SO that the.
may stand before High Heaven and th
civilized world without fear aud withou
reproach, ready to devote their lives an
their fortunes to the support of the bes
form Of government that has ever bee
devised by the wisdom OF man.
VIM + PACKER.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Harrisburg. Jan. 2, 1861.