The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-01-24

,ws are held 10 service and labor.

&%@o
laws are held 10 service and labor.
The Territories of the United States
belong to the General Government, and
in those Territories the people Of the sew
eral States unqpestionably have equal
rights They were acquired by means of
the common expenditures of blood and
treasure. BY the Federal Constitution 4;
power is given to Congress "to dispose
Of and make all needtul rules and resu-
lations respecting the territory and olhar
property belonging to the United States. =
Whether under this, or any other power
conferred by the Constitution. Congress
can pr5hibit or protect slavery in the
Territories, he's been seriously questioned
But, if the power to leeislate upon this
delicate and important subject were clear
" vested in Congress, in my judgment
it ought not to be exercised. To declare
that slavery shall not exist ip the Terri
tories, is calculated to exclude from their
occupancy the citizens of the Southern
Or slayeholding States while, to make 1t
a legal institution in all the Territories of
the United States, By Congressional en-
actment, and to provide for its continu-
enee during their entire Territorial exist
ance, would be equally injurious to the
people of the free States. The %prnclp!e
adopted in the Compromise measures of
1850, for disposing Of the question of
slavery in New Mexico and Utah, and
reiterated in the Kansas and Nebraska
bills of 1854, of non intervention by Con
gress with slavery in the States and in
the Territories, is the true rule. 1t is the
duty Of Congress, when a Sufficient num-
Der of hardy and adventurous pioneers
find their way into our distant Terrific
ries, to furnish them a shield Of protec-
ton and a form of government but to
the people themselves belongs the right
to regulate their own domestic inst:tu,
tions in their own way, subject only to
the Constitution of the United States.
While these views have been long en-
tertained by ME, and while | am sincere
ly Of the opinion thatstheir general o3op-
ton, aud faithful enforcement, would have
preserved, and may yet restore. peace and
harmony to all sections of our country, |
am nevertheless not so welded to them
as to reject, unccremoniously, all other
propositions for the settlement Of the
yexed questions which now threaten to
sunier the bonds which for three-quarters
of a century have made US one people.
Forty years ago, our fathers settled an
angry controversy growing out of a SINH
lar question, by dividing the territories
purchased from France, and providing
that slavery, or involuntary servitude,
should not exist north of a certain line ;
and the whole country acquiesced in that
compromise. In 1854, that restriction
upon slavery was removed, and the peo-
pie Of all the Territories were left free to
decide the question for themselves. Now
tile sectional issue is again presented. by
the dominant party in the North, claim
ing that slavery cannot legally 90 into
the Territories, even if sanctioned by Con-
gress, or the Territorial Legislature and
that it is the right and duty of Congress
to prohibit It's existence while the doc
trine which obtaips with a majority OF
the people in most Of the Southern States
is that, under the Constitution, the Ter
~ritories are all open to slavery that nei-
Their Congress nor the Territorial Legis.
Iature can lawfully prohibit its existence,
and that it is the duty Of Congress to pro.
vide for it all'needful protection.
May We not wisely follow the example
of our fathers. by re-enacting the old com
promise line OF 1920, and extending i, to
the boundary of California? Not by
means of Legislation of doubtful constitu.
~tionality, but by an amendment to toe
. Constitution itself, and thus permanently
fix the condition of the Territories, so tina.
those who desire to occupy them may
fud a home, at their discretion, either
where slavery is tolerated, or where 1t is
prohibited. If the adoption Of such an
amendment would peacefully settle tho
difficulties which now surround us, | am
satisfied that it would be sanctioned By
the people OF pennsylvania. At all events
they should have an opportunity to accept
or reject it, if made as a peace offe, ing
| would, therefore, recommend the Gen
eral Assembly to instruct and request oul
Senators and Representative in Congress
to support a proposition for such al
amendment ofthe Constitution, to be sub
United for ratification or rejection, to
convention of delegates, elected directly
by the people Of the State.
In the event of the failure Of Congress
speedily to propose this or a similar
amendment, to the Constitution, the citi
zens of Pennsylvania shonld have an OF
~portunity, by the application of some
peaceabie remedy, to prevent the dismem
berment of this Union. This can only
be done b. calling a convention of dele