The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1861-02-14
Then and Now.

In isao, while fellow Congressman with
Old Abe; Senator Toombs Of Georgia made
use Of the following language; ....'.......
The Constitution, though it recognises and
protects slavery both in the States and In ter.
ritories of the Union, when and where IL Law.
fully exists, establishes il nowhere. And. az
the necessary result from their adludications,
slavery being abolished in New Mexico and
Calitolna,the Southern STAKEHOLDER who en-
isrates to these territories with his slaves has
no legal guarantees for the protection Of this
property. Let US not deceive ourselves; these
questions have already been settled by our
courts, and If we are wise we will act In ref
erenct to them"
Alexander II. Stephens of Georgia said,
during the same session august 7th,
le49;)
"The Constitution secures 10 all the citi-
Eens of all the States and territories Of this
Union the rights to which they are entitled
by the laws If the place. II Virginia or
Georgia should abolish slavery, the Consti-
tudon no more re-establishes it there than II
can re.establ shed it in Penn y,vania, New
York and o'her States where it has been a.
bolishtd. The Constitution no more carries
the local law OF slavery of any State into
State or territory where, by law, it is prohib.
tied, than il carries any other local law no
more than il carries the law of interest upon
money. the statute of limitations the laws Of
distribution, or the penal laws of a State.
slavery is an institution which depends
solely upon the municipal laws of the plase
where it exi ts,"
In speech made in the Senate by George
+. Fadger Of North Carolina, Juy 26, is40,
he spoke as follows:
Slavery as it exists under the Constitu-
ion of the Unted States, is State institu-
ton
II does not exist AS an institution Of
the United States. Nor is it rec-
gn'Zed by the G, Institution of the United
Safes, otherwise than Stale institution.
"Gentlcmen say that every American cit-
zen has "a right 10 go into he newly acquired
Territory. 1t is needless to examine that; for
no one proposes to exclude them. But it Is
another and different question whether he
has right to carry slave there: and, be-
cause the slave was recognized as property in
he State from which he came, to insist that.
therefore, such slave shall be recognized az
property in the territory 10 which he goes
The affirma i've Of this question cannot, in my
opinion, be maintained."
Nov, these are precisely the views which
almost universally prevailed during the entire
existence of our Government down to tho
above date, and these doctrines are still held
by the Republicans. 1t is ostensiby because
Of their adherence to these opinions, that they
are denounced by Toombs and his associate
traitors, aud that the Union is to be destroy
ed. Argu nent with su h men is useless
Sill more absurd is all idea of compromise
Grant all tn Y ISL to-day, and brief time
hence t'ey will come with still more impor-
tunate and unreasonable demands. Now
that they have begun the work of attempting
to coerce the Nonh into adopting uneound
and righteous principles, he must be poor
spirited and unwse Indeed who would make
another ehor; to adapt himself to the chang
ing no'ions of these uuscrupulous reckless en-.
emes Of free government. We have no com.
promise to make with armed rebels.