Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-22
DECEMBER %
RESTRICTION OF SLAVERY.

| AFAis 4HJFVF Va ~ 4 AOoC aiio otAASNt
. that he vas instructed by the committee
to whom had been referred the resolu-
ton of tie 18th inst. directing an inqui-
ry inta&he expediency of prohibiting
the tlS ssSion of slavery-in the terrific
ries of the United States, to ask to be
discharged from the further considera-
ton Of the subject. Mr.. +. gave as a
reason for this motion, that the commit
tee had found that, after free inter-
change of opinions, they could not, con-
sistently with their ideas of public duty,
come to any conclusion, or agree on any
report which could promise to unite in
any degree the conflicting views Of the
house On this question.
The question was taken on discharg-
ing the committee from the further con-,
sideration of the subject, and agreed to.
Mr. Taylor then, as he observed, to
bring the question before the house, at
proper time and in distinct shape, and
not with view to invite a discussion on.
it at this time, moved the following re-
| solutions:
| Rescued, That committee be APP
pointed with Instructions to report bill
prohibiting the further admission of
slaves into the territories of the United
States west of the river Mississippi
Mr.. Lowndes said he should have ne
objection to the resolution, if its effect
| would be nothing more than was stated
| by the mover; but it surely ought not to
be expected that the house would pass
| without discussion resolution express
sed in terms such as the one before
them. Before the house should agree
to instruct committee to bring in bill
embracing principle on which there
we're varying opinions, it would certain
ly discuss the preliminary question.
He suggested, therefore, that the phrase
ology be modified SO as not to express
any opinion of the house in adopting it.
If a committee could not agree, as had
just been stated, it certainly could not
be expected that the house would adopt
such form of expression, without de-
bate, as should indicate an agreement of
opinion on this subject.
Mr.. Taylor did not understand the
resolution in the same way as Mr..
Lowndes. The house could not get at the
question unless it was on bill and, in
directing the committee to prepare bill,
he did not intend to express any opinion
on the principle of the bill, or intend
that the house should decide on the alb
stract question. Had such been his OBJ
ject, he would have stated in the reso-
luton that it zcas erhedient, Gc. He
presumed there we're no members, he
knew of none, who doubted the consti-
tutional power of Congress to impose
such restriction on the territories, and
the only question which the bill could
present, was one of expediency. The
resolution would not commit any men,
Der as to the abstract question referred
to. .
Mr.. Rhea was opposed to the resolu-
ton, because he considered it not very
fair way of coming at the question. The
adoption. OF such resolution by the
house would have the effect to spread an
opinion through the country, that the
house approved of the bill they ordered
to be brought in, and that it would be-
come a law; and he wished no such
opinion to go forth.
Mr.. Smith, of Md. said, the proper
course was the usual one---to refer the
inquiry to committee. Let them con-
slider it; if they should report bill, let
that bill go to a committee ofthe whole,
when the house would be appraised of
it, and would be prepared to discuss and
act on it. He moved that the resolu-
ton be committed to committee of the
whole house, and made the order for the
second Monday in January; because the
members had been prepared to antici-
pate, on that day, the discussion Of the
subject in another form.
Mr.. Mercer was sure, from the first,
that nothing like compromise would
grow out of the adoption and reference
of the former resolution, because one
party founded their opinions, honestly, he
had no doubt, on what they conceived
the solemn obligations Of justice; and
the other party founded theirs on the
solemn obligations of an oath. AS re-
|spected the discussion Of this subject,
it had been referred to the second Mon
day in January, and it was considered
settled that it would not come up be-
fore. 1t was, therefore, improper to
take up the discussion now, in the alb
sence of many members, who had left
here in confidence that the subject would
not be discussed until a fixed day; and
] in way, too. which would commit the