Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-29
politital.
A VERY PLAIN MATTER.

On the eleventh day Of February,
1861, the House of Representatives
passed resolution, "that neither the
Federal Government nor the people or
governments of the nonslaveholding
States have a purpose or constitution
al right to legislate upon or interfere
with slavery in any of the States of
the Union" 1t is now claimed by the
leading men Of pro-slaycry factions,
that, it this resolution had not been
passed, the border States would have
seeded, and that it was in the nature
of perpetual pledge, and is still
binding in its whole force. Now
there was an implied and distinct OBJ
legation on the other side, a failure to
comply with which, should cancel the
resolution. There was an understand
ing that the slave states should ae-
oept it, and that they should remain
Just as loyal as the free States. Any
other condition would be absurd. The
idea that the resolution was uncondi-
tional, involves coutradition. And
what slave State accepted the propo-
sitiony Eleven seeded. Three were
held in the Union by armed interfer-
ence. Delaware was Internationally y
loyal. The resolution accomplished
nothing, save that it stripped the reb-
els of the poor excuse Of interference
with slavery.
Three border States rOted themselves
loyal. -Four rebel States did the
same. Tennessee could have been
saved for less than it cost to save
kentucky; Virginia, for less than
Missouri cost (; North Carolina or Ar
kansas for less than Maryland. The
resolution of Congress saved no State.
1t was still-born. 1t never took effect
1t was simply q arcjected proposition.
Suppose two men have q dispute
about the possession of property that
the one makes liberal offer that
the other pays no heed to it, but ap-
peals to the law that the case is de-
cided against him-can he set aside
the verdict of the court, and hold the
| defendant to his previous offer? just
the same principle is involved in the
case of the profrered resolution. The
rebels appealed to the sword. The
verdict has been against them. Aud
now political pettifoggers claim that
Congress is bound by its rejected
proposition. -s....--..
The Chicago Times says the resolu-
tion twas in the nature of a solemn
pledge, falseness to which now is the
lower deep of infamy," and that Con,
gress has no right to interfere with
slavery i'm any State, because the Con.
stitution has not been changed. But
the Constitution gives power to Con.
gress, in time of war, invasion or in.
surrection, to interfere with anything
which may stand in the way of the
public safety or welfare. The Gov.
crnmcnt may, at such time as this,
interfere with life and liberty. Is sla.
very more sacred than both? Is sla
very superior to the people of this
country?
An historical rcminiscence may throw
some light on the "lower deep of infa
N.Y. matter. On the twentieth of DC
tober, TIA, the Continental Congress
i adopted the articles Of Association
The preamble begins thus 1--WE, hi.
maiesty's loyal subjects, the delegate,
of the several colonies, = aros,
our allegiance 10 his majesty; our airec
ton and regard for our fellow subjects
in Great Britain and elsewhere, etc
Here was solemn pledge OF allegi
ance, unqualified by any expresse'
reservations. Language could not b.
, stronger But the protest of allegi
, ance, like the recent protest agains
! in tended non-interierence with slave
, ry, met with no kindly response. Bot
, were like pearls cast before swine
Great changes crowded upon each otl
I err. Armies were raised, cities takel
) battles fought. The Continental Cor
: gress kept pace with the march G
( events. On the 4th Of July, l776,
G passed the declaration Of independents
0 In which occurs such language as this