Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-13
Mr.. Corwin's Amendment.

The Senate Of tho United States, preyi-
Gus to adjourning on Sunday night a
dopted the following joint resolution to
amend The Constitution, with Corwin'f
amendment by vote of24 TO IA Con-
stitutionsl majority. The following is the
Joint resolution, with Mr., corwin's amend
mept:
Bet enacted, de-, That the following ar
ticle be proposed to the Legislatures o.
the several States as an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which,
wheE ratified by three-fourths o! said
Legislature, shall be valid, to all intents
and purposes, as part Of said Constitu"
ton, viz:
Art. XII. No amendment Of this Con
stitulion having for its object any interie-
renee within the States with relation be
tween their citizens and those described
in section second of the first article OF the
Constitution as "all other persons" shall
originate with any State that does not
recognize that relation within its own
limits, shall be valid without the assent Of
every one of the States composing the
Union.
Ccrwin's amendment:
"No amendment shall be made to the
Constitution which shall authorize or give
to Congress the power to abolish or inter
fere, within any State, with the domestic
institutions thereof including that of per.
sons held to labor or service by the laws of
said State
Ttia amendment was passed by the
House of Representatives on Thursday
last by vote of 1873 to 65, and has now
passed both Houses by Constitutional
majority. 1t has now to be sanctioned by
three fourths of the State Legislatures,
when it will become a clause OF the Con-
s.itution Of the United States.
With but one exception, and that not 4
vital one, this proposed amendment to
our national Constitution is nothing but
sounding brass and tinckling Gymbal." I"
1t decides no question at issue before the
people now, and if Abolitionists are ban
ished from our country, it will always be
unnecessary and superauous.
We are well aware that the Abolition
wing of the Republican party; decla G
that they will abolish slavery everywhere /;
but large proportion OF the Republican
party, are opposed to Congress interfer-
ing with slavery in the States where it
exists; hence the mendment for the
present, contains more wind than p7inci-
pie, and is a perfect lodging of the real
question.
We are we'll aware if Ab0litionism is TO
succeed in this country, and IN view of
this fact and none other, will we support
the amendment, as it effectualy removes
from Congress the power to abolish slaves
~ in the States where it now exists: and
this certainly would be attempted by the
hbolitionists, whenever the free States
shall number three-fourths of the States
Of the Union, which may soon he the case
when they would no doubt so alter the
Constitution, as to give Congress the
power TO Abolish slavery in the States
whore it now exists but by the adoption
Of this amendment now, A bolitionisnl, if
it does succeed here in the North, it would
be long time before they could again
change the Constitution to suit their unhol'
ly desires. BY the adoption o! this amend
ront now ,abolitioni,m will receive fata
llow, and so far as 1t can be accomplished
~ Congress, the prohibition of inteTfer'
nee is perpetual
1t is notifying to us to know, that The
seat number of able, and heretofore 50
2'cious men, composing Congress, and
lnc Peace Conference, should find them,
selves unable 10 solve that small but vital
question TO the country the subject oi
slavery in the territories. This was the
question, and it was upon this point that
the people wished TO render a decision
and in reference 10 it, petition after
petition was sent TO Congress and the
Peace Conference, but all 10 no purpo
it resulted in nothing but the abovo fu.
tile amendment. Great men frequently
commit great mistakes, but we have ney.
er fcon il so ably verified before.
The doctrine of the democratic party in
reference TO the subject of slavery in the
territoriosis, that II Congress has any pow.
er toiegislate upon this subject it must be
for its protection and if abolitionists are
banished, we would say non-interYention
byCongreas upon the whole subject Of fsla.
very
Howcyer,b by the decision the Supreme
Court, slaves are property under the Con-
shtution, and il is well defined princi-
Plc that no legislative power has authors
ty TO Aci upon the subiec Of property ex.
eept for its pro,ection, unless compensa,
hon is frat made to the owner, when il
susy bs diverted 10 an improper use; hence