Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-08-26
CENTENNIAL PAPERS.
NO. ".


admission into the Federal Union. TIL,
politics of the present are sufficiently ex
citing, fully as much so, we do not doub
as the issues of the decade ending will
the year 1850. The parties then were
Whig and Democrat-the chief issues be
tween them being the Tariff, banking
questions, and internal Improvements
The slavery question was also one OF par.
amount interest, yet it had not assumed
the prominence it attained in after years.
upon the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise. The truth Of history is simply
that neither Wings nor Democrats at the
North cared TO take the risk of losing
Soutern support, by interference with the
cherished institution. But for cringing
submission to the behests of the slave
power coupled with acts calculated to in
sure its support, the Democrats outbid
! the Wings. To be called an " Abolition
let was term of reproach which few
public men of either party cared to have
applied to himself. 1t was not until the
demands Of the South became so exact
ing that they could not be conceded, that
men began to break the ties which bound
them TO party and look upon the future
aspect of the question Of slavery with
unprejudiced vi. ion. With the close of
the war with Mexico there arose party
in the North which may be regarded as
the pioneers Of Republicanism. Its dis
tinctive claim for public support was
based upon It's opposition 70 the further
extension Of slavery into territory then
free, and it was brought into prominence
by the proposition to acquire large ex-
tent Of territory from Mexico, adapted TO
slave labor. The debates in Congress
over the measures were bitter and acri-
monious ;; and among the champions of
Free Soil were many among the North
ern Democrats. Notable among these
were David Wilmot of Pennsylvania and
Preston King of New York, and the ia
nous Wilmot Provso," which VIII
mot or King moved to every bill propos
ing to acquire territory, divided the votes
OF Northern men, the Wings generally
it with the aid of few Demo-
crats, while the strength Of the Demo
cratic party united with the South in Oh.
position. The effect of these discussions
was seen in the Presidential election of
the year 1913, in which the Free Soil
though failing to carry sin
gle State, developed a strength which
showed that the people were beginning
to be thoroughly awakened by the impor-
lance fthe subject ut issue.
1t was at this time that the new State
of California was preparing to enter the
'lsterbood. The South had carried its
point and secured the acquisition of the
coveted territory, but the Free Soil men
we're watchful and vigilant, and were de-
ermlned to fight any further extension
If slavery by every means at their com
nand. 1t was in this period Of excite
nent that California came knocking at
he door of the Federal Union, seeking
admission into the sisterhood of States
The condition attending the formation of
he constitution of California were such
IS had not obtained in any former State
experience. The rapid increase of popu-
alton consequent upon the development
# the mines, filled the country at once /
With more than sufficient number of 8
eople to entitle them to "A State govern {
nent, and it was to bring order out of
haos that it was doomed necessary that I
stronger code Of laws should be in force ,
hat the illy-adapted ones which were but
artly known or recognized. A chauc-
eristc Of the American people has ever !
cen 20 hold themselves subordinate to ;
ome code Of laws--and the wild condi- ;
on of society which was being develop- q
IN the various natiOnalities which were i
ttracted hither by the golden reports of :
ne richness OF the mines, called loudly
'r strong local government. Then it
appened thatin less than two years from
le time the territory embraced within 4
ar State limits had been acquired be- =
IRE an enabling act to permit the
eople of the State to form n home gov
Fnment was passed throdgh Congress
ley had themselves taken the nitiatorv
cps, and needed nothing but the sane f
on of the Federal government to carry p
'lr plan into execution. The request of r
otornia for admission found the flames s
niftional excitement at the highest
AZ, 1t was then that the threat of
Iooks which had not been heard since -
eoo,;o put down South Carolina nulli- Ii
NOR. nth strong hand was once f,
tho admin the halls of Congress For n
Const;,,f of California with State
dostroy N prohibiting slavery would
Free and Snce of power between the "
Sto,os Soooto States in the United /,
thirty wears III for the first time in h
,looo in tho s;stduest OF State for =,
Ont oftbis fee,id was resisted.
|
compromise meaa'ow 'ne ceieoraled
threat and civil war Vi looo' ana the NJ
was inevitablel for postponed (for it nj
These measures were ears longer pl
which the South obtaineIh NUMBER OF in
The admission Of Caliltio snare.
Free State Constitution, I win the i,
ton of the slave trade in tine aooll- " ~
Columbia were the points strict of 'e
the North. None of these me&ded to oi
passed without serious opposi were
they were the result of the gray ana
GRAFTON of patriotic minds. Sarlo- nj
Pennsylvania and Fitzpatrick, oiot AT
bama, were the only two United S OF
Senators who voted for the whole of