Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-06


of other states In this question, which the "Ci-
,izen" considers so ."grea,, abominable and gra-
,u;,ous." I,hink he has no, taken right view
OF The subject II is true, that proposition o.
the kind ought 10 come from the people % the
District; but respectable portion OF the speo'
ple did petition last winter Is II, then,a I'M
2eriinen, interference, fol- those oil other STATES
who agree with Us in sentiment, 10 request
their representatives in Congress to take up
the subject? Blu, even supposing that the peo-
ple here were utterly opposed 10 the con'em-
MIA ed measures, is not the interest and HE cha
rac,er of the whole Union concerned in break
ing I'D the iniquitous sla,e-trade in this us
,ric,? If the Congress Of the United States
the only power tina, can legislate for US on this
subject, shall suffer the grossesl evils TO exist
here, and the most unjust laws to prevail, ave
they not responsible TO their constituents ana
oupht not the odium to rest upon the whole
nation? A large and respectable portion OF our
community have long felt, on this SUBJECT as
men Of intelligence and humanity ought to ieel.
So long ago as the year 1902, the Grand Jury
of this County presented the slave,'rade he'e'
as an evil "demandipg legislative redress, an"
diseraceful TO our characters as citizens Of a
free government"
During the present winter, this subject has,
also, been presented by the Grand Jury Of
Washington.-They state. that iii is dithcui:'
if not impossible, in many cases, either to- re-
strain or prevent acts Of the grossest oppres-
sion and inius,ice;" and they further say, Ut
i. believed that the ,choie community would be
gra,ifed by the interference Of Congress Tor the
suppression Of these receplicles, and the eAclu-
sion of this disgusting traffic from the DIS
frici." l, is true that the same Grand Jury de-
preca,e the admission If more free people oil
color from the adjoining States, and the emah'
cpa,ion Of the slaves now in The District, uni"
means can be devised to get rid offhe siaves
when emancipated; but they admit slavery here
10 be an evil. In accordance with this pre-
sen,men, of the Grand JuFy, am informed
that the Committee on the District Of Column
bia have reported to the House of Represents
lives, bill provjing for the mitigation or alb
clifton OF the dome site slavelrade; but, IL am
correctly informed, it contains no provision Tor
the abolition Of slavery in the District: so thai
our "Cinztn' need entertain no apprehension
5i gsss ils 6s Is
| counts for his "hog and hominy," the loss OF
which he SO feelingly deprecale"
In reply 10 the observations OF the "Ci'izen,
about throwing ourselves upon the "rightful
understanding and pa,crnal care Of Virginia"
would rec ommend 10 his attention the follow.
ing resolution, offered by John Randolph on
the floor Of Congress, in ne year 1916. which
was read BY Mr.. Miner, from the journal of
the House. during the prrsen, session:
ION motion of Mr.. Randolph,
"Resolyed, That Committee be appointed
TO inquire into the existence Of an inhuman
and ill.ga traffic in slaves. carried on in and
througa the District OF Columbia; and to re.
por, whether any, and VIVA, measures ne
cessary, for putting stop TO The same !"
And, in order ,ha, my fellow>citlzens may
have a correct understanding OF Mr.. Miners
views on this subject. will transcribe the con-
GLIDING remarks from his speech, the whole Of
which is we'll worthy the attentive perusal Of
all our ci,izeas:-
81 would NOT be rash"-he says, 81 would
propose NO sudden disruption of existing ia
,erest II am no friend 10 sudden revoluuons-
what would propose is. that measures should
be adopted TO effect the abolition Of slavery here
gradually.
"The slave trade, and the public sale Of men
and women, I would Instantly in,erdict. Pro-
visior ought to be made, that no person should
be injured in his interest 10 he least amount
Should any such case occur, ample Indemnify
should be given. Ten years is much in mans
liz; vet it i. briei space in the life OF city
Inc change ought to be so gradual. i, would
| only be felt and known by he blessings and
prosperity Il would shed abroad through the
whole District, Bya law that should protect
the District from being over-run by Tree M
groes, witch should exclude the ia ,htr intro.
duction OF slaves to reside herr rc, anen,ly;
and which should provide that persons born IF