he territory as a state. While a territory, it is insisted that
slavery shall be protected in it. We insist that Congress may
prohibit it, and that the people have an undisputed right to exclude
slaves. Why not, by terminating their territorial condition,
determine this controversy? The same course might now properly be
adopted with all the territories of the United States.

"In each of the territories there are, now, small settlements
scattered along the lines of transit. Within five years, the least
populous will contain sufficient population for a Representative
in Congress. Dakota, Washington, Nevada, and Jefferson are destined
soon to be as familiar to us as Kansas and Nebraska. It is well
worthy the consideration of the old states, whether it is not better
to dispense with all territorial organizations--always expensive
and turbulent--and, at once, to carve the whole into states of
convenient size, for admission. This was the Jeffersonian plan,
which did not contemplate territories, but states. It was also
sanctioned by General Taylor, and, but for his death, would have
been adopted.

This is an easy, effectual remedy, within the power of Congress,
and in its nature an irrevocable act. There is no necessity of an
amendment to the constitution. It is not at all probable that two-
thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states
can agree to any amendments. Why attempt it, unless to invite new
contests, to again arouse sectional animosities? We know that if
Mexico is acquired the south will demand it for slavery, and the
north for free institutions. We must forego, for the present, new
conquests, unless the love of acquisition is stronger than the love
of domestic peace.

"Suppose it to be conceded that the constitution should be amended,
what amendment will satisfy the south? Nothing less than the
protection of slavery in the territories. But our people have
pronounced against it. All who voted for Mr. Lincoln or Mr. Douglas
--over three million three hundred thousand citizens--voted against
this claim. Less than a million voted for it. Should the great
majority yield to a meagre minority, especially under threats of
disunion? This minority demand that slavery be protected by the
constitution. Our fathers would not allow the word 'slave' or
'slavery' in the constitution, when all the states but one were
slaveholding. Shall we introduce these words when a majority of
the s