Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-01-04

chiefly attributable to that ordinance that
these states, at their adoption as states, were
free, they having had the most important cl-
cment Of freedom engratted into their terri
toral policy.
The acts Of Congress have made the i'm
portation OF slaycsa high aud criminal offence,
/. and have attached to that ohence heavy pains
and penalties. Congress has also provided
against the expectation OF them to foreign
countries, and against citizens OF the United
States having an interest in vessels transport
ing them from one foreign country to anoth-
er, ard against citizens Of the United States
serving on board such vessels. or serving on
board Of foreign ships or vessels, under heavy
penalties and almost all the acts OF the gem
eral government respecting slavery, up to
lSl9 or 50, seemed to be based on an honest
distribution of power between the North and
South and tinctured with philanthropy
that pointed to no far distant day, when the
government and the people at the South
would find it more beneficial, and certainly
more social, to have the number Of slaves
and slave territories, reduced instead oi aug
mented.
That this was the design of the Fathers Of
the Republic, and the early legislators Of the
nation viii not be denied by any one. The
whole series of enactments in relation to
slavery, from the last continental congress
down to the time have specified, warrant
such conclusion.
1t would seem a little strange, If or GOV
crnment were 50 much Interested III keeping
slavery cut Of foreign countries, or ut least
opposing the spread Of it i'll foreign countries,
at the expense Of large appropriations Tor
that purpose, aad the maintenance ot Il na-
val force 0a the coast ot A:rlca. t. cooperate
: with a squadron Of Great Britain whose
| ayowed object wls to finally put an end to
the slave traffic. | repeat, it would be
strange if our government intended at tie
same time they were duinE 50 much to stay
!. the progress OF slavery in foreign countries,
- ene9uras e 9r design the SPftad oi 1t III our
own.
have alr,eay referred to the ordinance Of
8, prohibiting slavery west OF the Ohl9
River. The design Of that ordinance Was to
. prohibit the sfrsaa If slavery.
The Missouri Apromlse, as 1t was called
IF l~25, Was Tor the same purpose, AID WIS
in Tie t7.iaNIaE words
.SEe. S.-B. it furthermore enacted, that
: in all hat territory ceded by France u tie
United States 4uier the name Of Louisiana,
which hes north ot 30 degrees and 50 MN
: utgs OF north latitude, not included within
the limits Of the state cJntenl lated by tins
: act, slaFert and involuntary senitude, 9TH =
wse taan as the punishment et crimes
(Where7! the p1rtss shall have been duly
r5nlictelN. snail be, and IS hereby .torleef
prehI#ad.s .
Hit hal been tie p1llcyof the government
from lis f5dHdau0n, to force slavery INTO tree
territory. or into any terTit1. Y, there might
4 4Ft,tr hos gl,
p1.iev. but it has not been 50. The prIEcl-
Jles and policy OF the government from rs
foundation. down u eighteen hundred and
fifty, was eiIersnt, and utterly opposed to It.
: la eighteen hundred and twenty, the Prinei-
! les ot the government WIS 10 set apart !.
certain portion OF that territory coded by
France, II the bnitcI states to rcedpm. y
certain portion oI that tzrrit2ry that should
not b. cJatalinteI VITA ths curs. Of aItys-
] ry
iJona.Irataal thar Congress at that eF
any time, could hy her acts bind, II contend,
that saea i Prohibition, shows contiHsl'et5
that thA Governments. was opposed to tin
spread o, slavery through 2ut the territories
Of the uited State, and THAI II did SIT
, apaft Il ccrdaju portion oi them to he Tree.
When difficulties Attending legislation i
settled by compromise, as II WAs IN eIsHttel
e hundred and twenty, they should bs strictly
= adhered too
If such adjustments are but Idle words
aud OF ao yelue, or are = be taken @dvantas'
z5f u, the p assure 9t ds,igRlng men when II
| power, then ,ach aljustmets ceass T. yIeh
, tAa benefit thcy wrre Designed i4r, AID IN tn
. end produce strife, instead Of harmony
Ni tn troubles aad dis9rler the has II
! l. Il T.,