Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-10-10

themselves as to cause It 10 be
more and more deplored even in the
states where it exSe land that an abhor-
renee of the pracuce is gaming ground
in every part Of our own counlry and
hence should infer that we haffkmore
reason to hope for diminutiof1of the
evil, than cause to dread its increass,
even if the prohibition of the importation
of slaves were left to depend upon the
law that existed previous to the last ses-
sion of Congress. But, seeing that near
ly all Europe, animated by more just
and enlightened views, and generous
feelings, is endeayoring to extlrpate that
nefarious traffic, and, having impaired
additional energies to our own laws TOR
the same purpose, | fatcr myself that,
with the additional aid of public senti-
ment in favor Of those measures, the
danger Of introducing Africans into Mis-
souri, is not only less than it has been, in
relation to Kentucky and Tennessee, but
that it is wholly chimerical and visionary.
Upon this view Of the subject, ii does
appear to me that we, who, on the pre-
sent occasion, are the advocates OF state
rights, cannot, with any kind Of fairness,
be charged with either a desire to in
crease slavery, or with any prediction
for that which exists. And if the pro-
posed restriction is not necessary 10 pre-
vent the importation Of foreign slaves, it
follows that the admission of slavery into
Missouri is neither calculated TO abridge
the power of the n.slave-holding states,
nor to increase that inequality in the ap-
portionment OF representation which de-
ponds upon our slave population; for,
whether those sl?ves be in Georgia or
Missouri, they must be included in the
apporionment OF presentation, and,
whatever power they might Golfer upon
Missouri, would be just SO much alb
stractcd from the states whence thew
came. And, as an inequality Of repre-
sentaton thus produced must neccssari-
ly prevail, SO long as the constitution re.
mains unaltcled, am constrained TO be-
lieye that the transfer Of portion Of thar
advantage to Missouri, would be as
harmless at least 10 the non-slaye-hold-
ing states OF the west, as to let it remain
consolidated with all its influence On this
side OF the Allegheny. And, indeed, al
though should greatly regret to see the
state which | have the honor in part 10
represent participate in it, yet, it does
appear to me that the more it is divided
(without increasing iO among those
states that wish to receive it, he less
will be its evils, and the Greater the ia
.cility and certainty of controlling any
sinister influence which it might pro-
duce.
Nj. L. remarked, that, having en-
deavored SO far to strip the subject the
articles with which it had most dexter
ously been clothed, he would next pro-
coed TO submit to the Senate the reasons
which induced him to believe that the
proposed restriction could not be impos-
ed on Missouri without violation OF the
constitution. He had, however, made
but few remarks upon this branch of
the SUBJECT, when he observed that he
found speaking so painful, in conse-
qucnce OF very sore throat, with which
re had for some time past been afflicted,
that it was impossible for him, at that
time, to proceed, and expressing wish
to have the indulgence OF the Senate to
be heard on future day, he resumed his
seat.