Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-09

| of fraternal Kindness which bound together,
so closely, the sisterhood of States. Lut US,
then, renew this pledge of amity and friend
ship, and once more extend kindly welcome
| to the citizens OF our common country .wheth-
er visiting us on business pleasure, ,notwith-
standing they may be accompanied by those
who, under the Constitution and the laws, are
held to service and labor.
The Territories of the United States belong
to the General Government, and in those ter
| rltories the people of the several States un-
| qnestionably have equal rights. They were
| acquired by means OF the common expenoi,
ture OF blood and treasure. BY the ederal
Constitution power is given to congress no
dispose OF and make all needfni rules ana reg
uations respecting the territory ana other pro-
perty belonging to the Unlted otates.
Whether under this, any other power con-
| ferred by the Constitution, Congress can pro-
hibit or protect slavery in the territories, has
| been seriously questioned. But, if the pow
er to legislate upon this delicate and impor-
| tant subject were clearly vested in Congress,
in my Judgment it ought not to be exercised.
To declare that slavery shall not exist in the
Territories, is calculated to exclude from
their occupancy the citizens of the southern
or slaveholding States; while, to make it
legal institution in all the territories of the
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 in the Compromise
measures Of 1850, for disposing of the ques
tion of slavery in New Mexico and Utah, and
reiterated III the Kansas and Nebraska bills of
1854, of non-interyeHtion 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 adven
turOuS pioneers find their way into our distant
Territories, to furnish them shield of pro-
lection and form of government; but to the
people themselves belongs the right to regu-
late thei- own domestic institutions in their
own way, subject only to the Constitution of
the United States. -
While these views have been long entertain
ed by me, and while | am sincerely of the
opinion that their general adoptionand faith
ful enforcement, would have preserved, and
may yet restore, peace and harmony to all
sections of our country, am nevertheless not
SO welded to them to reject, unceremoni-
ously ,all other propositions for the settlement
of the vexed questions which now threaten to
sunder the bonds which for three quarters of
= century have made US one people. Forty
years ago, our fathers settled an angry contro-
versy growing out OF a similar question, by
dividing the Territories purchased iromf France,
and providing that slavery, or involuntary SER
vitnde, should not exist north of certain
line and the whole country acquiesced IN
that compromise. In 1854, that restriction
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 presented by the dominant par
ty in tho north, claiming that slavery cannot
legally go into the Territories, even if sane
toned by Cor gress, or the Territorial Legis
lature and that it is the right and the duty
| of Congress to prohibit its existence. While
the doctrine which obtains with majority of
the people in most of the southern States, is,
that under the Constitution, the Territories
are all open to slavery that neither Congress
nor the Territorial Legislature can lawfully
prohibit its existence, and that IL is the duty
of Congress to provide for it all needful pro-
lection. May We not wisely follow the exam
pie of our fathers, by re- -enacting the old COM
promise line of 1920, and extending it to the
I boundary of California; Not by the means
| of legislation of doubtful constitutionalty,
| but by an amendment to the Constitution it.
| self, and thus permanently fix the condition
! OF the Territories, so that those who desire to
occupy them, may find abome, at their dis
! cretion, either where slavery Is tolerated, or
where 1t is prohibited. If the adoption of
| such an amendment would perfectly settle the
difficulties which now surround us, / am salts
fed that il would be sanctions by the people
of Pennsylvania. At all events, they should
have an opportunity to accept or reject it, if
made as a peace offering. I would, therefore,
recommend the General Assembly to instruct
and request our Senators and Representatives
in Congress, to support a proposition for such
| an amendment of the Constitution, to be SUBJ
mitted tor ratification rejection, to con-
| ventIon Of delegates, elected directly by the
| people of the State.
In the event of the failure OF Congress
| speedily to propose this, or similar amend
| ment, to the Constitution, the citizens of
/ Pennsylvania should have opportunity, by
| the application of some pcaceable remedy, TO
/ prevent the dismemberment of this Union.
| This can only be done by calling a convention
| of delegates, TO be elected by the people,
with view solely to the consideration of
what measures should be taken to meet the
| present fearful exigencies. If Congress should
propose no remedy, let it emanate from the
| source of all authority, the people themselves.
] Every attempt, upon the part of individuals,
o. of organized societies, to lead the people
/ away from their allegiance to the government,
/ to induce them to violate any of the provis-
| ions Of the Constitution, or to ncte insur-
! rections in any of the States of this Union.
ought to be prohibited by law, as crimes of a
| reasonable nature. 1t is of the first import
ance TO the perpetnity of this great Union,
that the hearts of the people, and the action
! of their constituted authorizes, should be in
| unison, in giving faithful support to the
| Constitution of the United States. The peo-
| pie of Pennsylvania are devoted to the Union.
They will follow its stars and its stripes through
| every peril. But, before assuming the high
responsibilities now dimly foreshadowed, it is
their solemn duty TO remove every just cause
of complaint against themselves, so that they
may stand before High Heaven, and the civil
lied world without fear and without reproach,
ready to devote their lives and their fortunes
to the support of the best form of governm ent
that has ever been devised by the wisdom of
man.
Gen. Scott now openly declares that be will
he at the side of Abraham I,incoln from, the