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impute to any particular district the right to destroy or
mutilate a system regulated with so much care。
The only manner in which the right of secession could exist in
one of the American States； would be by an express reservation to
that effect； in the Constitution。 There is no such clause； did it
exist it would change the whole character of the Government；
rendering it a mere alliance； instead of being that which it now
isa lasting Union。 But； whatever may be the legal principles
connected with this serious subject； there always exists； in
large bodies of men； a power to change their institutions by
means of the strong hand。 This is termed the right of revolution；
and it has often been appealed to to redress grievances that
could be removed by no other agency。 It is undeniable that the
institution of domestic slavery as it now exists in what are
termed the Southern and South…Western States of this country；
creates an interest of the most delicate and sensitive character。
Nearly one half of the entire property of the slave…holding
States consists in this right to the services of human beings of
a race so different from our own as to render any amalgamation to
the last degree improbable； if not impossible。 Any one may easily
estimate the deep interest that the masters feel in the
preservation of their property。 The spirit of the age is
decidedly against them； and of this they must be sensible； it
doubly augments their anxiety for the future。 The natural
increase； moreover； of these human chattels renders an outlet
indispensable； or they will soon cease to be profitable by the
excess of their numbers。 To these facts we owe the figments which
have rendered the Southern school of logicians a little
presuming； perhaps； and certainly very sophistical。 Among other
theories we find the bold one； that the Territories of the United
States are the property； not of the several States； but of their
individual people； in other words； that the native of New York or
Rhode Island； regardless of the laws of the country； has a right
to remove to any one of these Territories； carry with him just
such property as he may see fit； and make such use of it as he
may find convenient。 This is a novel co…partnership in
jurisdiction； to say the least； and really does not seem worthy
of a serious reply。
The territory of the United States is strictly subject to the
Government。 The only clause in the Constitution which refers to
this interest conveys that meaning。 But； were the instrument
silent； the power would remain the same。 Sovereignty of this
nature is not determined by municipal law； but by the law of
nations。 Thus； for instance； the right to make war； which is
inherent in every state of FOREIGN RELATIONS； infers the right to
secure its conquests； and that clause of the Constitution which
declares that the war…making power shall abide in Congress； says；
at the same time； by an unavoidable implication； that the
national legislature shall have all authority to control the
consequences of this war。 It may dispose of its prisoners and its
conquests according to its own views of policy and justice；
subject only to the great principles that modern civilization has
introduced into public concerns。
One can understand why a different theory is in favor at the
South。 It would be very convenient； no doubt； to the slaveholder
to be permitted to transfer his slaves to the gold diggings； and
gather the precious metal in lieu of a crop of cotton。 But this；
the policy of the whole country forbids。 Congress has very justly
left the decision of this very important matter to the people of
California itself； and they have almost unanimously raised their
voices against the measure。 This； after all； is the really sore
point in controversy between the South and the North。 The
fugitive slave has been； and will be given up to the legal claims
of his master； and； in a vast majority of the people of the
North； there is no disposition to disturb the legislative
compromise that has been made of this matter。 It is true that the
North still owes the South a great deal more； though it may be
questioned if the machinations of demagogues and the ravings of
fanaticism will permit it to discharge the obligation。 Penal laws
should be passed； punishing those who meddle with this grave
interest out of the limits of the State in which the parties
reside； and energy should be shown in rendering such an act of
justice effective and sure。 Good…neighborhood； alone； would exact
some such provision from every well…disposed community； and there
cannot be a doubt that good policy coincides。 The abolitionists；
beyond a dispute； have only had a tendency to rivet the fetters
of the slave； and to destroy the peace of the country。
Emancipation has not been extended a single foot by any of their
projects； while the whole South has been thrown into an attitude
of hostile defiance； not only towards these misguided persons；
but to their innocent and disgusted fellow…citizens。 There might
be a hope that the well…intentioned portion of these people； and
it is both numerous and respectable； could be induced to adopt a
wiser mode of procedure； were it not that dissolute politicians；
who care only for the success of parties； and who make a
stalking…horse of philanthropy； as they would of religion or
patriotism； or any other extended feeling that happened to come
within their influence； interpose their sinister schemes to keep
agitation alive for their benefit。 This； then； is the actual
state of things； as between the North and the South； and we will
take a hasty view of its probable consequences on the growth and
commerce of the towns at the mouth of the Hudson。
｛California = California； newly conquered from Mexico and where
gold had been discovered in 1848； had in 1849 adopted a
Constitution banning slavery； at the same time that it applied
for admission to the Union as a free State； it was admitted in
1850 as part of the so…called Compromise of 1850； which included
the Fugitive Slave Act empowering the Federal Government to seize
and return slaves fleeing from slave to free States｝
It is undeniable that any serious derangement of the political
institutions of the country； would produce a very injurious
effect on its prosperity generally； and perhaps in its immediate
influence； primarily on its commerce。 But the first reverses of
such a calamity overcome； we do not see reason for believing that
the well…established principle； that trade will make its own
laws； should not apply to these towns as well as to any other
place known in the history of the world。 New York； as has already
been intimated； at this moment contributes quite as much to the
prosperity of London； as it would probably have done had the
political connection between England and her colonies never been
severed。 Making allowances for the greater prosperity induced by
the political independence of America； it is not improbable that
she even contributes more。 Society and trade enact their own
laws。 The first is found to be mainly independent of the
influence of political power； and the same； with certain
qualifications； may be said to be equally true of the last。
But we see little to apprehend from this source of danger。 If the
slave…holding interest would be rendered really more secure by
separation or secession； then； indeed； such a result might be
looked for with some degree of confidence。 But it is very certain
that the measure would lead to an escape of most of the slaves
near the northern frontiers of the Southern Confederacy； as well
as of a vast number of those who live at a greater distance from
what would probably be the dividing line。 The North has been
aroused to the necessity of being just； and of adhering to the
conditions of the Constitution； and the recent measures of the
country go to prove there is no real disposition； in the masses；
to do