went into operation), and twelve subsequently framed amendments, the first ten of which were framed in 1789.

6

"Who were our fathers that framed the Constitution? I suppose the thirty-nine' who signed the original instrument may be fairly called our fathers who framed that part of the present Government.

"What is the question which, according to the text, those fathers understood just as well, and even better than we do now? It is this: 'Does the proper division of local from federal authority, or anything in the Constitution, forbid our Federal Government to control as to Slavery in our federal territories? Upon this, Douglas holds the affirmative, and Republicans the negative. This affirmative and denial form an issue, and this issue—this question is precisely what the text declares our fathers understood better than we."

Mr. Lincoln then proved, incontestably, that the fathers of the Republic frequently endeavoured to limit and confine "the peculiar institution," and that they expressly reserved to Congress all power over the territories of the Confederation.

Late advices from the United States inform us that the election of Messrs. Lincoln and Hamlin is looked upon as "a foregone conclusion" by the Administration at Washington, and the pro-Slavery leaders. Should the contest be transferred to the House of Representatives, the result is equally

certain; for the majority of the delegation from nearly all the Northern States is Republican.

THE RESULT OF THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL

ELECTION.

The result of the contest next November will be the election of an anti-Slavery extension President and the annihilation of Southern terrorism. It will be the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act, the confining of Slavery within its present limits, and the destruction of Filibusterism, Annexationizing, and the secret carrying-on of the Slave-trade.

Such must be the result of the Republican Party's electing its candidate to the Presidency. That it will elect him, we have merely to examine the votes in the Electoral College. The Free States possess 183 votes in that body, to 120 of the Slave section, and the Democracy can only succeed by carrying some of the former. The States they might endeavour to carry are California, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Oregon; representing seriatim the following votes:-4, 11, 13, 7, 27, 4, 3. The Democracy are pretty sure of California, for that State is entirely removed from

agitation on the Slave question; but in Oregon, they may not be so successful. Illinois and Indiana are now certain to vote for the Republican candidate ; whilst in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as in Illinois and Indiana, the Republicans have carried the elections for a year or two past. Some weeks ago, the Democratic candidate for Mayor of Philadelphia was defeated; and this is a certain presage of how the State will vote in November. As Pennsylvania votes, so will New Jersey; while Minnesota will act with other Western States, all of which are thoroughly opposed to the Slave oligarchy.

Giving the pro-Slavery party the benefit of what, until the nomination of Mr. Lincoln, were regarded as "doubtful" States-namely, California, Illinois, Indiana, and Oregon; that is to say, of 31 votes-their opponents will still have the majority sufficient to elect their candidate. But California alone is likely to act with them; the chances are enormously in favour of the three latter going with the Republicans, inasmuch as that party has carried late elections in them by constantly increasing majorities.

The Southern States forebode the result and are avowedly preparing to resist. Will their resistance take the form of sullen discontent, or of open opposition to the Federal Government and to the Northern

States, so much their superiors in wealth, population, and intelligence?

The policy of the Slave States with regard to the general Government is represented by three parties: Unionists, Disunionists, and Nullifiers. The day has gone by for nullification. In the days of Calhoun, its apostle, it was treason to the Constitution; but nullification has become too conservative for the South, and the pro-Slavery leaders are, almost to a man, declaring for secession. Is there sufficient patriotism and common sense amongst the inhabitants of that section, who do not make politics a trade, to prevent the disunionist cabal carrying their plot into effect? We trust so, but "the wish is father to the thought.” The Legislatures of the Slave States are more or less disunionists, and the Executives belong to the same category. Legislatures and Executives are elected by the people, and we can only infer that the people who elected them advocate the same principles.

Hundreds

The North will not hesitate a moment. of thousands of bayonets will be poured into Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas; wherever, in fact, rebellion rears its head. To question the result would be to doubt in God and civilization.

HOW THE RESULT WILL AFFECT ENGLAND.

The immediate consequence of Southern attempts at secession will be diminution, if not cessation, of the American cotton supply. Can we obtain sufficient of that staple from India, Natal, and other districts? Is it not high time that we endeavour to turn our West Indian and other colonies to proper account, suited as many of them are for the cultivation of cotton? The mountainous and hilly lands of Jamaica are especially deserving of the attention of our Government, and the moment is ripe for commencing the experiment.

The Southern States of the Américan Union are following the example of the infatuated Louis the Fourteenth of France. As he drove into exile thousands of his subjects engaged in manufactures and trade, who sought refuge in England and laid the foundation of our manufacturing supremacy, so are the Slave States now driving from their confines thousands of freed coloured. men Where are the exiles to go? The Free States are too crowded and Canada too cold for them. Can we not offer them an asylum in Jamaica and other colonies? They are the cream, the best of their race; for it is by long