The national Republican., 1862-04-04
EREEDoM NATIONAL.

The following ID copy OF the Dill intro-
duced in the House some days since, by Mr.
ARNOLD, Of Illinois, and referred TO the Com
mittee on Territories
A BILL to render Freedom national and Slavery
sectional.
To the end that freedom may be and remain
forever the fundamental law of the land, in all
power or depends upon the action Of the Gov
ernment of the United States to make it 50;
therefore,
Be u enacted By he Senate and House of Repre-
sentdtiues Of the United States Of America IL
Congress assembled:
SEcrIoS l. That slavery and involuntary ser.
vitude, in all cases whatsoever, other than In
the punishment of crime whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, shall hereafter r
cease and be prohibited forever in all the fol
lowing places, viz:
First. In all the Territories now existing or
hereafter to be formed or acquired in any way
Second. In AL places purchased or to be pur.
chased by the United States, with the assent OF
the Legislature Of the several States. for the
erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock
yards, and other neediu buildings.
Third. In all vessels on the high seas and or
the national highways, beyond the territory
and jurisdiction of the several States from
which or to which the said vessels may be
going.
Fourth. In all places whatsoever where the
National Government is supreme or has excu
sive Jurisdiction and power.
SEC. 2. That every person now held, or Al
tempted to be held hereafter, AZ q slave in any
Of the places above named, is hereby declared
to be free, and the right to freedom hereby do
clsred may be asserted in any of the courts o
the United States, or Of the several States, il
behalf Of the party. or his or or her pos,tsri,ty
aparty once free is always free.
We are hardly prepared to sustain the sboli
tim of ala voru in ianlatod apots uvithio ,b,
slave States, the jurisdiction Of which is cede.
to the Government for forts, &c.; but this is no
an essential part Of the bill.
Its great merit Is, that 1t settles forever thu
great question which has agitated the country
for generation, not by rickety and short
lived compromise, but by going back firmly ant
broadly to the old position Of the fathers--ths
freedom is national and slavery sectional.
It is better for everybody, even for the slsve
holders themselves, that this bill lin substance
be quieted again, until the further spread o
slavery Is known to be rendered impossible
When that is accomplished, we may have peace
and to nobody is that more important than t,
those connected with an institution which il
inherently sure to draw upon itself the condsm
nation and ill-will Of mankind.
The New York Evening Post says:
Mr.. Arnold does not propose to ameliorat,
or In any way to legislate upon slavery in tn,
States. he respects Stale rights, and ask
Congress to legislate only whore 1t has un
doubted constitutional power and authority Il
do 20.
1.-The country has long been wearied will
the agitations OF the shareholders; here Is Al
opportunity to stop those agitations forever
and It will be the better done, because the nc
tion proposed involves no violent changes; Cal
give rise to no Just complaints; blows US to free
dom by no tornado or hurricane, but by II mil
and constant trade. wind"