Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-05-29

heard no objection-they have passed
unanimously. But now, when an amend
ment prohibiting the further introduction
OF slavery, is proposed, the whole house
is put in agitation, and we are confident
ly told that it is unconstitutional to annex
conditions on the admission of new
state into the union. The result of all
this IS, that all amendments and condi-
tons are proper, which suit certain
class of gentlemen, but whatever amend
ment is proposed, which does not COM
port with their interests or their views,
is unconstitutional, and fragrant viola
ton of this sacred charter of our rights.
In order to be consistent, gentlemen
must so back and strike out the various
amendments to which they have already
agreed. The constitution applies equal
ly to all, or to none.
Sir, we have been told, that this is a
new principle for which we contend,
never before adopted, or thought of. So
tar from this being correct, it is due to the
memory of our ancestors to say, it is an
old principle, adopted by them, as the
policy of our country. Whenever the
United States have had the right and the
power, they have heretofore prevented
the extension of slavery. The states of
Kentucky and Tennessee were taken off
from other states, and were admitted
into the union without condition, because
their lands were never owned by the
United States. The territory north
west of the Ohio is all the land which
ever belonged to them. Shortly after
the cession of those lands to the union,
Congress passed, in 1887, a compact
which was declared to be unalterable,
the sixth article of which provides that
!" there shall be neither Slavery nor in
Uotunta1'y servitude in the said terrific
''y, otherwise than in the punishment. for
crimes, zvherecf the Earty shall hare
been duly convicted. In pursuance OF
this compact, all the states formed from
that territory have been admitted into
the union upon various considerations,
and amongst which the sixth article of
this compact is included as one.
Let gentlemen also advert to the law
for the admission of the state of Louisia-
ma into the union: they will find it filled
with conditions. 1t was required not
only to form constitution upon the
principles of republican government,
but it was required to contain the fun
damental principles OF civil and religious
liberty" twas even required as con-
dition of its admission, to keep its re-
cords and its judicial and legislative pro-
ceedings in the English language; and
also to secure the trial by jury, and to
surrender all claim to unappropriated
lands in the territory, with the prohibi-
ton to tax any Of the United States lands.
After this long practice and constant
usage to annex conditions to the admis-
sion of state into the union, will gen.
tlemen yet tell us it is unconstitutional,
and talk of our principles being novel and
extraordinary 1t has been said, that,
if this amendment prevails, we shall have
an union of states possessing unequal
rights. And we have been asked, whe-
Their we wished to see such " cheguered
union ?" Sir, we have such an union al.
ready. If the prohibition of slavery is
the denial of right, and constitutes a
chequercd union, gladly would behold
such rights denied, and such a chequer
spread over every state in the UNION
Ii is now spread over the states north
west of the Ohio, and forms the glory
and the strength of those states. l hope
it will be extended from the Mississippi
to the Pacific ocean.
Sir, we have been told that the pro-
posed amendment cannot be received,
because it is contrary to the treaty and
cession of Louisiana. /" Article 3. The
" inhabitants of the coded territory shall
+" be incorporated in the union Of the
F" United States, and admitted as soon
I" possible, according to the principles OF
" the federal constitution, to the enjoy
g ment of all the rights, advantages, and
s. ilnmunitics of citizens OF the Onlted
" States, and in the mean time they shall
g be maintained and protected in the free
g enjoyment Of their liberty, property,
g and the religion which they profess. !"
l find nothing, said Mr.. I. in this article
of the treaty, Incompatible with the pro-
posed amendment. The rights, advan-
tages, and immunities OF citizens OF the
United States are guaranteed to the m
habitants of Louisiana. Ii one OF them
should choose to remove into Virginia,
he could take his slaves with him; but
if he removes to Indiana, or any OF the
states northwest of the Ohio, he cannot
take his slaves with him. If the propo-
sed amendment prevails, the inhabitants