The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-02-02
@iSreiIanp.
SLAVERT


have not been mentioned.
THE MEMORIAL.
OF the undersigned inhabitants of the
city Of Baltimore to the Congress of the
United States, respectfully represents
That feeling, in vommon with the rest
OF their fellow citizens, lively interest
in the prosperity, happiness and rcpu,a.
tion OF their country ; and believing that
ats prosperity, happiness aud reputation
are deeply implicated in the question
likely to be asitated in Congless during
its present session, respecting the adj
mission'of slavery into the states bereaf-
ter to be formed ives, Of the Mississippi; I;
they deem it TO he their imperious and
solemn duty, respectfully to conimuni
cate their, views of this momentous ques.
tion to the representatives Of the nation.
We consider that our obligation to do
this derives additional force lrom the
circumstance Of being citizen, OF slave
holding state. and consequently NOT liable
TO that prejudice OH this subject, which
citizers belonging to non-slave holding
states are Often supposed to possess.
We are not unacquainted with the ev-
lis N slavery in political, as well as in
religious point of view--we have wit
messed the oppression and degradation of
that unfortunate portion OF our race who
arc IS subjects; but the pernicious ct.
tects OF slavery are BY no means conhncd
TO the slaves tIlemscves---it has de-
structive influence upon the power,
wealth and industry Of the State, tending
greatly to restrain the increase Of the
white population and to diminish the val.
ue Of property 70. it is well establish.
cd fact in Maryland, that in those sec-
tions where slaves arc comparatively few
II, number, the population is most M.
mcrous, the land best cultivated, and the
mass Of the people most wealthy.
There is no doubt that slavery dimln-
ishes the amount of productive indus
try. ri
We know that 1yc are, and we fear
that our posterity may be cursed with
slavery--but, as lovers OF our country,
NC would not willingly see this evil exs
tciislcd-as christians, We can never as
sent to the adoption Of a policy caicula-
ted to increase the number OF slaves, or
perpetuate the evils OF slavery.
We believe, thar to permit the exten-
sion Of slavery in the county west OF the
Mississippi. would he the means oi
greatly increasing the number Of slaves
and greatly increasing the difficulty of
relieving our country from slavery.
ladmitting slavery into those western
states would diminish, in proportion, the
evil in the old states, we would not OPP
pose it; bat we are persuaded it would
have 40 such effect. Without entering
into abored discussion OF this subject,
or attempting to trace ELECTS TO their
Causes, we viii merely state as facts, That
the states of Georgia, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Alabama and Mississippi have
been mostly peopled with slaves from
Maryland, Virginia and the ,Carolinas,
aud yet ,he slaves in these states have,
in the mean tine, rapidly increased
much more so than the white population.
These new states have furnished mar
ket for the old ones--havc taken oGtheir
surplus slaves, and thereby promoted
their increase. The same effect will be
produced by extending the market be-
yond the Mississippi.
The history of our country proves.
that the increase of the black population
retIrds the increase of the white.
We cannot, therefore, perceive thai
Maryland, or any other slave holding
state would derive any benefit, in a po
Iisical or religious view. from the per
isission Of slavery in these new s,.tes.
1t might be thought indccorous in u
20 eater into a l,5ored discussion to,
prove to IN American Congress the mi
quity and ioiu>tics OF personal slavery in
the abstract. Its rrpugnnce to tn
principles of our government, to natural