New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-17

ors, anu pldceu ~ efr eyes in the pages of paEti-
IAN Pte aa~,D the Southern mind it seems to
aaVo cd the form of plausible fact. The party
Jared with this purpose when it met in Convention
AZ Chicago 20 nominate its candidate previous 10 the
last Presidential election declared it's doctrine this
point in the following words: That the maintenance
inyioae Of the rights Of the States and especially the
right Of each 10 order and control its domestic insitu
tions, according TO its own Judgment excusively, Is
essential to that balance Of power on which the per
lection and endurance Of our political fabric depends;
and we denounce the lawless INVASION by arme force
Of the soil Of any State or Territory, no matter under
what pretext a. among the gravest OF crimes Not
wthstanding the preposeous character OF this idea
the Comm tee have deemed the belief in 1t, in some
portions of tl South Sufficiently important to demand
q notice at ills time.
order to sace these false Impressions by the Commit
tee they have prepezed and submit an amendment TO
the Constitution whereby any power TO interfere with
Slavery in the States is forever denied to Congress TIL
every State in the nion by its individual State action
shall consent 10 les exercise. They entertain confident
belief that THU amendment will beapproved by the nu
Der of States required by the Constitution TO secure ats
adoption If tbs shall not secrfe Slavery in the states
against the possibility of Interference by Federal
power we arc wholly incapable OF conceivlpg any form
of Constitutional guaranty which will, OF which will
aisfy those who demand further security Tor their
rights.
Tie Committee ara well aware that the frequent
acitationof the subject of Slavery, in political con-
tests has given rise in the minds OF many TO fearui
forebodiDgs Of disunion IL mas 9ndo9o.euy con.
trbuted 10 the present alienation OF feeling between
the Northern and Western and Southern ana South
Western section of the Republic. Investigations into
the lightfuness policy Of what Is properly caled
forced labor, when conducted oy Ihougnlui ana us
Greet minds. in calm temper, guided by the laws OF
sound morals and political philosophy could scarcely
be attended with danger 10 the peace OF society," ana
might be productive of much good. IL Is equally true
that discussion touching the CONSTITUTIONAL powers Oh
the Federal Government and the powers OF the States
over the subject of Slavery when properly conducted,
would have the effect elicit truth rather than to en-
danger public tranquility But when TINS SUBJECT Is
brought into the arena of party politics, our expe-
r,ence has shown that il frequently fails 70 attain
the desired end without disturbing TO dangerous
extent the harmony and good VIII, so much TO De
desired, between all sections of the Republic
The truth of this remark Will be. fully
shown by brief reference to our history In
1921 Missouri admitted as Slave State, ana
Slavery was the time prohibited In all the ter
ritory living moth Of the parallel so 3O North latitude
AT that time, great was the agitation that men not
AZ all prone to regard imaginary IN the hight oil real
danger entertained great fears for the stability OF the
| Government. The public mind, however, became
calm and yielding TO the suggestions OF true patosm
hsrmody was restored, and public prosperity advanced
with rapid steps. The next event which Drought the
subject of Slavery into public consideration the
annexation Of Texas. The Presidential election OF
1874 was made TO almost entirely upon this single
question The great majority OF the people OF the
Free States much dissatisfied with the result;
but with their views Of duty citizens Of free Re
public they submitted with regret, but with no dlsPo
sition to make improper opposition TO the will OF the
people expressed IN accordance WIN an the forms OF
law Between this period and that of ISL the public
mind had not been agtated nor the public peace at all
endangered by discussion Federal legislation touch
4 ing The subject of Slavery.
The late war with Mexico resulted in the acquisition
of territory From the moment of this acquisition the
question of the occupation Of the territory coded by The
trt aty of peace with slave free labor again called
into action all the conflicting opinions and ideas which
have been and perhaps always will be held on the sub
ject of Slavery until all shall be agreed AZ 20 the
moral and economical principles on which it rests.
This struggle attended with all the angry discus
sions which had signally marked the two previous
contests. Then, as now, disunion was threatened
public bodies resolved secession and for two years
scarcely any other question Of interest was known or
dscussed in Congress. At length in September, 1850
Cone rees acted finally the subject and peaceful
though, in some quarters, sulen aequiescence fol-
lowed The leading spirits Of all PARTIES however, at
that time bowed eternal fidelity to that compromise,
N and the public mind at that time had reason
Il 20 hope that, our dominion having reached the
II Pacific Ocean, future acquisition OF territory
\ would not be desired, and by consequence this
disturbing question would not again arise. In 1851,
however by the repeal Of the law OF lS2l known az
the Missouri Compromise and the attempt TO extend
Slavery into territory where by that venerable law IL
bad been prohibited this disturbing question again
opened ont Of the grave nwhch it had been buried In
1850 this fearful spirit of discord arose The present
deplorable condition o. the country bearr witness 20
the mischief which il has wrought We strong and
orToste parties maintaining opposite opinions this
very question; these hostile opinions strnuoEsly
adhered to on each side leaving little or no hope Of
agreement without surrender Of convictions honestly
entertained. An adjustment founded upon legal prne-
ples in which all will agree seems quite impossible
The expedient of Withdrawing the subject matter Of
II controversy from this conflict Of opinion, and by
another mode of settlement giving to the South and
the North all that each under existing circumstances
woud expect should desire 10 Obtain seems to the
Committee the best if not the only mode Of peaceabie
adjustment left us
The Committee are impressed with belief growing
out of the admonitions furnished by past history
that, in Republic constituted ours L. in all cases
where parties are obstnate3y divided in opinion on
subjects which touch the interests; make up the
passions of different sections it is the clear dictate o.
sound policy to withdraw the subject, in every case
possible from the strife Of parties, and keep the
Federal Government as far removed from any connee
4 ton with 1T as duty TO the Constitution will permit.
The Committee deem the present controversy invdv-
ing the right TO carry Slavery into Territory yet
formed into State Governments, one peculiarly fitted
for the application Of the principle just announced
1t N commended the hand that in all the
tory III poseession Of the United States, not EN-
braced within the limits of any State and lying south
of The parallel Of latitude So B0 north Slavery shall
| be established and protected by law Of Congress
The territory thus defined compschendg the organ
1 lied Territory Of SewMexiD, including Arizona,
which last by law Of Congress eas been attached to
and made part Of New Mexico This Territory was
organized in 1850. BY its orgaHis law the Territorial
Legislature was a1tb0riIedtO exact laws and report
them to Congress. IL ~as provided in the same act
that If Congress should aisapprovezhe laws thus ade
they sho,ih be null and void.
In the year 1883, the Territorial Legislature Of New
Mexito eeablisbed Slavery in tlas Territory. Tb,s
law was anpulled at the last session Of Congress BY
vote of the House. but the Senate have not vet acted
upon the bill 50 the law of the Terr .ory, having
been annped by both Houses of Con, remains
fun force and il thus established ant now exists by
law IN Eew-Hexico.
1t is further provided by the act Of 1850 that New