The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-12-22
ADDRESS


TO THE AlMERICAWP
From a numerous meeting of the citizens
of New York, assembled at the City
Hotel, to take into consideration the
subject OF Slavery in any state or ter
ritory hereafter admitted into the Un-
ion.
At the last session of Congress bill
was introduced "to authorize Missouri
to form a constitution" lreliminarily to
her admission into the Union. A pro.
vision was, bv amendment, inserted in
the bill prohibiting the further inuoduc-
ton of Slavery. This amendment was
lost in the Senate, but being retained by
the House OF Representatives, the bill
was defeated.
The principle involved in this provis-
ion is SO intimately connected with the
interests, the character, and the union OF
our country, that the citizens Of New
York, convened in general meeting,
deem it proper to convey to their fellow
citizens their sentiments on this import
ant subject, and TO request their co-ope-
ration in such measures as may be best
calculated to prevent the exteIIsion OF the
alarming evil Of Slavery in the states and
territories hereafter to be organized in
the wide domain Of the United States,
They feel convictio;. that If the preva-
lence of this evil is to be checked, the
attempt must be made before new pre-
cedcnt is established for its further eXlen-
sion.
The acquisition of Louisiana, under a
treaty which contemplates the formation
of new states III tina, immense territory
a territory far exceeding in extent the
whole of the old Uld,ed States; gives
momentous importance to the question,
and ought to excite a corresponding in
tercst in its decision 1t is 10 less a
question, than whether in this enlighten-
ed and philanthrc pic age, mighty en.
pire of slaves shal! be permitted TO be
formed ON the soil aid under the sanction
of Republican America, and admitted
into her Union: or whether that new
empire is to be composed of men who
shall have constitutional, as well as nat
ural, right "fo lie, Hbvy,' and the fw-
smt Of Happiness.
The power of Congress to control the
character, as it respects slavery. Of this
great prospective population, has been
denied, and its efforts to impose the re-
striction have been branded in terms of
violence and menace, as high. handed
usurpation. If Congress possess the
power, it is important that they should
exercise it without fear, and as they
would answer to posteri;y, TO conscience,
and to God and that they may be sure
Of being sustained in fAuS exercising 1t,
il is desirable that, in addition to the spir-
it of our institutions, and the laws Of a
majority Of the states, THY should be
animated by fresh and strong expressions
Of the public opinion.
The constitution gives Congress au-
thority "to admit new states nto the
union," and it requires "that there
should be guaranteed to every state a
republican form of government" The
treaty of cession of Louisiana stipu!ates
"for the admission of the Inhabitants in-
to the Union according to the principles
of the federal constitution" Hence it is
inferred that their right to admission is
absolute, and that the power of Congress
is limited to single inquiry, respecting
the form of government
If this inference were true, we should
submit in silence, but with sorrow; and
have only to regret that the great and
good men who framed the constitution
had, in this particular, lost no, only their