The Jasper weekly courier., 1861-02-27
Speech Of Hon. w. Z. Eiblack. Of In
diana.
IL THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,

49, s~f'"f hS'' thS tommttttc VI tHiIty
three.
}, Mr.. NIBLACK said:
\ Mr.. SPEAKER: Tho powers and duties o
this Government. in relation 20 the Terrific
lries Of the United States, has been, Tor sew
Ieral years past. the overshad downing quss,io,
|in national politics. Ithas bssn the centre
idea upon winch old political parties hAv
been reorgsnized. aud around which new
ones have been formed. With the discus
sions upon Il. the whole 81 ject Of African
slavery on this continent has pecome in
Ivo7ed. Divisions and differences in reIs
ZION 10 il afford The occasion. il they are not
the cause, Of the unhappy condition ot
lihings ncn existing in the country.
10 the few remarks have TO offer, / shall
feel myself obliged. however RELUCTANT may
be, and however familiar 20 the public mind
the whole subiscf msy BE-, 70 refer, as pre-
Iiminsry tc some conclusions o, whlch de
sire 10 srrive 70 few oi the salient points
in the history Of this territorial question.
The proper crgsniza'ion and government
lof these Territories has been source o.
trouble ard embarrassment to the Federal
Government from the fret territorial nccui.
siiion 70 the present day. The eminent
men who framed The Constitution OF The
United Sa'c@. anr who, with such prophetic
wiadom, provided so well for most Of the
contingencies which have arisen, seem new
er 70 have rcalizrd the importance which
this subject was destined to assume, and
hence omhtedtc make such specific provi-
sions for the acquisition snd government OF
Of new districts cf country - experience
hss since shown to he highly les'rt hIe.
Asto The constitutional powers Of this
Government in these respects. we hrvs had
70 rely mainly upon infcrencca from shs
grant of other powers riorc clearly defined
The first idea seemed rather 10 tc 70 hold
,nd govern the Territories as provinces,
Congress to enact all laws necessary for
'his purpose. The next proposition was ic1
organize them a. incirient and qussi-in5e-
pendent States outside or tie Union, 70 LcI
admitted into 'hs Conledsracy as soon asI
hoy were deemed - have sufficient pcpu-
laiicn. This hEs heen usually known as'
Mr. Jsfsrsou's plan; finally, however, Tie
policy wss .s5e.c.o. o--srizng Temporary
or provisional governments for them. o, tie
discretion. aud to exist during the pleasure.
p Congress. This policy was inauguraled
10 tho adoption Of the ordnance Of 1851
md hiss been con.inUct, wish varrinal
amendments and notifications. 10 tic rrca-
sut day. Und.r this syaism the Federal
Government asa general proposition, aP
'cini- the exccuIis, and judicial ga ers ~
he Territories. These things occurred,
however, during TIE cl5 Congress nf The
IND before Tie adoption Of
ne Constitution Of the Uaisei Suites, rnd
hence do no. furnish presidents of bindingl
suihoriiy, L found at al la condc: win
any Of the provisions Or principles OF The
existing Constitution.
Ea-ly in the history Of this territorial sys-
.em lie question Of slavery became one oI
some interest Yielding however. 10 the "a.
ursl laws destined, 70 great extent, 10
govern the question Of slavery in this coun-
Try az al times TINT IL, the laws Of climate.
'f soil, and or roiuc'icn-almos; by com
non consent this institution was Grst dis.
and iis extension into The north
western Territories prohibited; bu, X was
,roiectedin in ils extension into the Tsrriso.
'ies on the southwest. Thus. in friendly
md fraternal spirit, means were provided BY
which both systems " labor IN use under
,ur Government. had natural outlet. All
hat time therefore nothing more seemed
o be demanded on either eide. Thus the
,olicy Of dividing the common Territories
n the United States between the two eve
ems q labor seemed, though informally. 70
'e tsclly acknowledged.
When Missouri applied for al Omission, II.
ng as she does on both sides of what was
sgfrded as the natural boundary between
be free and the slave States, though 70 my
ndgment clearly entitled 10 unconditional
omission a. a slave State, w The terms Or
lie Louisiana purchase, q detcrmined aud
ven furious opposition vas made TO her sd.