Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-09
ALEX a N.DRIAa
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 9, 1879.

Miner, OF TfnhSyNdhias j" w.
sen,atives on Tuesday last, are OF such impo''
rance, as 10 require. of US few remarks
Towards the mover Of the resolutions, we
entertain the most friendly feelings, and favour
abe opinion. We have long admired MT H',
ner for his talents and his independence, a""
as being distns uished member OF the ora'' ID
which We belong. No man, IN Congress al
tends more strictly and zraluusiy 10 his du'ifs'
and no one is grestsr friend TO the interest
and prosperity of the District. oi courses no
thing bu, desire 10 further that interest," aho
increase tina, prosperity, could have drawn
forth the resolutions referred TO. That Inc
Hon. gentleman has been, however, mistaken
IN his laudable object, is, VIZ think, very mani
fest; and we believe a majority OF the House
will be found Of the same opinion
We have no idea Of discussing the abstract
question Of Slavery The time has gone by
when the arguing Of this subject could he con-
s,dertd otherwise than idle. We, in common
with the rest Of the South, deplore the evil
which has been forced upun US, and which has
continued TO strengthen with our strength, and
grow with our grow,h. While we deplore, we
are willing, a, the same time, to engage IN any
scheme which can be considered reasonable,
general il its effects, promising national adVan'
tapes, ard such as we choose to adopt our
selves. wi,hour the compulsion Of the General
Government, to get rid Of 1t. we are, ho">
ever, dc idedly aud completely opposed 10 any
measure which is to be enforced by an incom-
pe,ent authority, which is partial in It's Effects
which will be ruinous in some respects, and OF
no national advantage whatever in any. Such
pan a. this last, is, we think, the one pro-
posed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
The preamble and resolutions were either
thrown off in hurry, or there is scarcity OF
e,,,s n bear out the conclusion 10 which the
gentleman would have the House arrive. II IS
m, usual that HE assertions Of anonymous
newspaper writer's should be taken as the
grounds for a grave inquiry by so dignlted
body as the House Of Representatives. his
seems merely designed 10 swell list, for the
augment, a,ion OF which not a little ingenuity
nd research are displayed.
Its hardly worth while TO 60 into critical
examination Of the facts alrdged in The pfea"
Bile, since we oppose The whole proceeding upon
rener al principles, and high and constitutional
grounds. Congress, although il has the power
of exclusive legislation over this District, has
moi the power to NEEDLE or interfere with our
come site and private concerns. The very same
ins,rumen, which grants them The power men
toned. comedies and confirms to US this species
Of properly. AS well might Congress, in its
legislative capacity, pass sumptuary laws 10
prohibit US from wearing particular kind OF
DIRE IS. or say tina, we shall not buy or sell GER
tain kinds Of ware, as 10 exercise such power.
God forbid! that i, should be thought tina, we
would degrade, by thus speaking, the poor At
rican more ;han he is. We pity his lot, and
,ompassionate his misfortunes; and we do not
know but what our humanity would, in 'he end,
bp more beneficial TO him, * contribute more 10
III, happiness, than The mistake en- charity of those
wno profess the mselvef his greatest friends.
We are the apologists Of no men-we> simply
sta,e facts; and, with regard 10 the subject oil
the domestic slave trade" as it is called, and
slavery in the District, they are these. The
District of Columbia was taken from two slave
holding States, and, of course, tho laws with
regard TO slaves, the relative condition in which
they are placed, and the tenure by which they
are held, continue the same in the coded terri
tory as they are in the parent States. These
laws are such as are imperiously demanded by
the nature Of things. They have never been
"whoEy neglected" nor have numerous and
gross corruptions" arisen from their neglect.
Slaves arc considered, and held, and are, by
the se laws, personal property and may be, and
are, constantly bought and sold. In Ibis state
OF things, persons from the Souih come here,
and buy our slaves for the use OF the Southern
farmers There is no taking anew into capti-
,ity-i, is merely changing masters; and how.
ever our feelings may revolt at what we call
this traffic in human flesh, il should be remem-
brred that the domestic slave trade" would