Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25
were to be combatted, state pride and


state jealousy were to be overcome, and |
the different local feelings and interests of |
the several sections of confederated states |
were to be consulted. To see people, |
who had but just achieved revolution,
and had began 20 realize the benefit of in,
dependence, without an energetic govern
ment, torn by feuds and jealousies and in
imminent danger of losing their freedo m,
which had been gained at so much expense
OF treasure and blood, was affecting and
Illuminating, The friends Of liberty began
to despond Some there were (now high
in the rank of opposition,) who began, il is
said. TO think of master and letteI
was written 20 n Prime Of Prussia, invit.-
ing bin 30 coGe TO America, and take
upon himself the government OF these
states, but heaven averted the danger.
conStitut'on was proposed in the spirit OF
Concession aud compromise. The infu cree
o, the great WASHING ToN prevailed
NO one else could have effected the COM
promise. he is entitled to our gratitude,
anu so Is the present chief magistrate of the
United States, without whose influence,
psrhaps. Washington would never have
accepted seat in the convention. The
d.thcnlsies were overcome, and the princi.
pie agreed TO, that the legislature should
consist OF two branches, in one of which the
states had an equal vote, and in the other
toe people. Here was he Compromise
The small and large states had a check up.
On each other, equal to the iniiuence for
which each had contended.
beware how YOU touch the sacred charter
OF your gov -rnment Appr0schi villa f. n and
trembling Put oil your shoes from off your
Ieet. Tor the ground on which you stand is
holy
The clause e., be a,,,l.J 49, 18th A. =.
effect OF compromise The people Of the south
probably contrnded that their representation
ought TO be in proper ion to their inhabitants
They might well contend that holding Saves
was municipal regulation with which we had
no concern. That they had as good right
| to disiranchise their black population as we
had our children or servants. That these
o'acEs we're human beings, and though they
had no right of suffrage, still there were MAJ
ny persons in the Northern States in the same
situation, and that whether they were to re-
main slaves or be manunitted, depended
exclusively upon the laws of the States hold
ing them. II was probably cont nded on the
other hand, that slaves were a species OF pro-
perry having few or no civil rights and that
they ought not 70 be countei at all. At last
it was agreed that this dispute ,hould also b.
compromised. Direct taxes were to be appor
tIoned according TO representation We con-
sested that the slave holding states shoul d
count threeEf.hs of their slaves in making up
thc'r representation, provided they would con,
sent to be taxed in the same proportion-And
tins article so modified, was acce pied and con
sidered as very advantageous to the Northern
states. TO prove this, sir, l will refer You
to the letters of the late General Hamilton,
published in e" the Federalist," and will read
you some remarks of certain members of the
Convention of this State, on the adoption of
the Constitution Of the u States (tIere Mr.. H.
read part Of the speeches of Mcssrs Davis,
Dana, Gore. King and Jones, who contende,l
zealously and eioquenty fer this article, and
mat 1T was very much in favor of the North
ern States and proceeded.)
Wen, sir, has there been any unexpected re.
suit 'ron the operation of this article uas any
construction been put upon it different from
ITS meaning or intent have heard OF 10 com.
p'sInt OF this sort Have the slave holding
States taken an urdue advantage OF that clause
IN the Constitution which admits their ;,noor
tat'on until 1906, anil leaves it discretionary
with Congress to ad nj, prohibit it after
parGs lbeiieve not. Unless l misrecol.sct,
Congress passed q W TO prevent this impor-
tatioD, before the Constitutional prohibition had
elspsed, to take effect the moment the Consti
futon would admit Of it. And believe fur
Their, that the Southern m mbers gcnereily sun
ported and voted Tor the act. Aud, If mist ak
not, the PRINCIPAL opposition to that act came
from NE~~EsGLARD Surprising as this is ,
think 1t is true. Mr.. Brown, of Rhole Is
land, IN, | think, the only speech he made while
a memeer, opposed the law which prohibited
the slave trade. Rhode Islaad, the (,Peat com.
merclal state OF Rhode Issn which il hank
ering tier al equal representation OF the p.o.
pie IN Congress, has, since the adoption of the
Constitution, contributed more to the increase
OF the slave representation, by an infamous traf.
nc IN Truman flesh, than any other State in the
Union. Notwithstanding, it vas not in the
power OF Congress TO prohibit the importation
OF slaves until 1903, still their increase has no,
been eqHel 10 that ofthe free inhabitants. This
is easily proved. In 1900, the whole number
OF free inhabitants was 4,406,Sl7, slaves 800.
$40 In 1910, the free population was 6,O46,5 g !:
slaves i,l91,364
Free pop 1900. Slaves 1900. Free pop. 1910.
As f,4O6,Sl7: 800, 549 6.Oi8. $40 -
t,230,9o2 the proportion of slaves for 1870
So that the actual number is less than proDor-
tionabie, or has relatively diminished 80 5o8 in
ten years eight years of which period. con
gress had no power 10 prohibit tl, ir impnrtati
on. It's therefore manifest that this pretended
evil is rapidly diminishing.
But, sir, do not regret that this subject is
brought under discussion. 1t has been m ,pni.
ned and made the cause Of great deception
Some have believed that the slaves have actu-
ally been voting away our rights aud property
Let usStrIke out the whole number OF slaves.
and divide the 1872 Representatives equally a.
mong the tree inhabitants Of the United States.
instead Of diminishing the number, let us sup.
rn4fg q 49,.