The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-08-23


tion to that sstject; nor cen one. sipgle ssn
or daughter OF Adam, 6lsck or white, be
made slave IN consequence Of that act, who
would not have bsen such had the act nevcs
have been passed. IL therefore slavery was
not legal in Missouri before that act was pas
sed, |, is not now. But that il wss legal be-
fore, is proved by the treaty OF css.ion oi
that country from France to the United
Slstes. il 10 proved by the laws OF the u.
Sta,es, which expressly recognize it by pro-
hibiiing the introduction Of slaves into that
territory by any but ci,izens of the United
States. II is proved by the history Of ths,
county frsm its FIRST settlement. II is prov
cd by the very amendment on which the
whole debate took place, aud which provides
that nothing contained IN that amendment
should be construed to oHer the condifion
or civil rights Of sty person then held 70 Ger.
pice o. labor in the said territory" Aud II
is proved by the fact, that IL has sctuaiy ex.
listed there ever since It's settlement. He
who will deny the latter evidence must a.,
sect, that the government Of the United States
have knowingly held free men 10 bondage 10
thai county ever since its acquisition.
will notice one more gross misrepfesen.
talion that has been made on this suble cts
with view 10 deceive and mislead tho pub
lie. Il has been generally represented, ths!
because there was a majority in the House ol
Representatives in favor OF the res,riclion
had that msjoriy adheted 10 the restrictive
amendment, il must have been carried. Nc
notice 10 taken of the Stare Of Maine, who's
fate by tho Senate was made 10 hang on that
Of Missouri, nor Of the unyied'ne majority
- c. -
an obieci with the Northern States to briog
Maine into the Union, as well as 10 put stop
10 tho further progress OF slavery. But
without the compromise, neither OF these OBJ
jects could be effected.--Slavey would have
continued in Missouri as before: the whole
conn,ry ives, OF the Mississippi would nave
remained open TO tho same curse, and no
security would have been obtained that !,
should ever be bsnished from that immense
territory. But, suppose the restrictive a.
mendment had prevailed ss the bill passed
the House, the Senate yielding their dead
majority agains, II, docs II follow that slavery
would have ceased in Missouri? So it is
constantly represented, and the question con
sidefod to have been, whether slavery should
or should not exist in Missouri and yet
nothing is less true. Slavery did exist IN
Missouri, ana II the people of that tefrnofy
had preferred slavery with a territorial gov
ernment, to become q member OF the union
on the proposed terms, slsvety would sui
have continued TO exist there the restric.
two amendment TO the contrsy no,wi,hs tand
ing. For it was optional with the people oi
Missouri whether they would form constit
ution and become Q member Of he unioo on
et~ Jsess n..s a,s n
seems, who are of opinion, and which is pub-
licly avowed, tha, nothing can excuse or pal
!ia,o the bare fermission Of slavery In Mis-
souri,, and who are for carrying the restriction
at all hazards, even at the cannon's mouth.
Is II possible that in this community there
can be man who will seriously say, that he
Is willing to hazard the integrity OF the un.
ion, the peace and friendship OF her citizens,
the spilling OF each Others blood, on cues
tiou concerning the tights of persons three
thousand miles of, whose condition as 10
bondage is nof affected by the law in quc'-
ton, and for whose good orjlI treatment we
are not responsible, because we have no pow
er over il II there be, emulate neihee his
patriotism nor humanity. Let him stigma
tize me as an advocate Tor slavery, and deny
mo his confidence. l am content. 1 &C
knowledge, my concern is more for the rights
OF my constituents, my fellow citizens, TO
whom | am bound by relations moral and po.
fiticai, and with whom am connected by re-
ciProcsl duties and obligations.
The condition of the onslaved African
commisera,e, and by oil fair means would 70:
store him to his liberty. But this condition
was not brought on him by mo or you. For
his continuance in this condition, o. his suf
ferings under it, neither are answersble for
tho law by which he is held ia bondage is not
OF our enactment, nor subject to our control !;
nor tho rights or wrongs Of master or slave
subject to our jurisdiction. In spite of all
our commiserasions and endeavors to the con.
trary, slaves they most remain, unless eman-
cipa,cd By their masters, or the States IN
which they reside, for Congress has no pow
cr over them. Whether conveyed from
State 10 territory, or tho reverse, theis COO.
dItioN Is stitl the same The i'm porfation ,f