Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-02

rying GROUND Tor tic exclusion t s,otte~f n,s., g+n
confidence and from lead in the uffairs of the epub
lc then, and till then the cry was raiscd and the
feeling industriously excited that the influence of
Northern men In the public councils would endanper
the relation of master ind slave. For myself,
claim other merit than that this gross and enor-
nous injustice towards the whole north, has not
wrought upon me to change my opinions, or my po
htical conduct. Il hope -am above violating INV
even under the smart of injury and false
impuotions Unjust suspicious and undcserye,l re-
proach, whatever pain may experience from them.
VIII not induce me- trust nevertheless. to overstcp
ihc limits of constitutional duty, or to encroach on
the rights OF Others. The domestic slavery of tbe
South leave where find it, IN the hunts of their
own Government It's tlieir affair, not nine Nor
20 complain OF ,iie peculiar Eject which the gni-
tude Of that population has had in the distributor of
power undcr this Federal Government. W. know
sir that the representation Of the States in the other
House is not equal. We know that great ADVANTAGE
IN mat respect BY the slave holding States
and we know, too, that the intended equivalent for
that advantage, that IS to say the imtostion of d.
rect taxes In the ratio has become merev nom,
nal; the habit of the Government being almost in
10 coiiect ITS revenues from other sources
and in other modes Nevertheless do not complain
nor would Icoun,enancc any movement to a.ter This
arrangement of representations. 1t is the ORIGINAL
bargain the compactletit stand let the ADVANTAGE
II oe luiy enjoyed The Union itself is too full
of benefit TO be hazarded in propositions for chanping
its original basis. 1-e's
go for the Constitution rs it is, and for the Union
as 1t IS But am resolved not submit in silence
TO either myself individually, or
against the North, wholly unfoundet and uniusl: NC
cusations which lmpute to disposition to eyade
the constitutional compact and to extend the mower
or tue Government ovcrthe internal laws and domes
tc condition OF the States All such accusations
wherever und whenever made all insinuatsns off tho
existence OF any such purpose, / know and feel to
be sroundless and Injurious. And we must confi,Ie
IN Southern gentlemen themselves; we must trust to
hnC n vzytO ,N-cl.
shose whose integrity OF heart and magnaninnity OF
feeling will lead them to desire to maintain and
disseminate truth and who possess the means of its
diffusion with the Southern public; we must lea ve il
to them to disabuse that public of it's preudices But
~ .le mean time, Tor my own part,1 shall continue
to act Justly, whether those towards whom ,,stce is
exercised, receive it with candor or with conumely
dayine had occasion to recnr to the ordinance of
1857 IN order to defend myself against theiufrences
winch the honorable member has chosen to ra from
my former observations that subject am not will
ing now entirely to take leave Of it without another
remark. 1t need hardly be sod, that that paper en-
presses Just sentiments on the great subject of civil
ana religious liberty. Such sentiments were com
lnon and abound in all oar state paners of that Ja
bnt this ordinance did That which was not so com
mon, ana which is not nov UNIVERSAL: thai is.
u set iorth and deciarcd high and binding duty
OF government itself, to encourage schools and ad
vance the means of education; on the plain reason
that religion, moraty and knowledge are necessary
70 good government and to the happiness of mankind
one observation further. The important provision
tj. -. md
several Of those of the States and recentIy q, NC
nave seen, adopted into the reformed CONSTITUTION of
Virginia, restraining legislative power in questions
OF private right and from impnirDg the obligation of
contracts is hrst introduced and established as far
80 am informed, as matter of nynress 1,r;t ta,, -
shtutionai law, in this ordinance of 1787. And p
must add also, an regard to the author of the or
nance who has not had the happiness to attract the
Seheinans notice, heretofore, nor avoid his sar-
casm now, that he was Chairman of thai Select Con
nnttec OF the old Congress- whose report first ex
pressed the strong sense of that BODY that the old
confederation was not adequate the exigencies of
the country and recommending the States to send
Delegates to the Convention which formed tho mo
sent CONSTITUTIONS L.
AN attempt has been made to transfer from the
North to the South, the honor of this exclusion Of
slavery from the Northwestern territory q,b ;ons
nal, without argument comment refites such at
tempt. lhc ccssion by Virginia, was made March
l1S4. On the 10th of April following, committee
consisting Of Messrs Jefferson Chase and Howell
porio1 plan for the Temporary government, of tba
territory, in which this article: tha after the
year 1900, there shall be neither slavery nor invon
ary servitude IN any of the said States, otherwise
than IN punishment of crimes whereof the nortv sbs
have been convicted Mr.. Speieht of North Cave
INA, moved to strike out this paragraph The oues
ton was put, according TO the form then practised
shail these words stand, part OF the plan &C. N
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Conneo+;
cut, N. York, NJ Jersey and Pennsvlvan;e sey,e
states, voted IN the affirmative. MARYLAND VIRGINIA
and South Carolina in the negative North CaroE
nd was divided AS the consent of nine States was
necessary, the words coudnot stand and were sy,ck
out accordingly Mr. Jefferson voted for the clause
ou T.. WAS " So. ov ua by his colleagues.
IN s1afcn Of the next year. Mr. King Massachu-
formerly rejected article with this addition qnd hat This
shae &c an article Of compact, remain I'm
o org STATES md each Of ts States described in the re-
ous &C. on this clause which provided adequate and
security he eight northern States time ented
arna.vey and the four southern States negatively The
oses OF nine states were not yet Obtained thus the pro
gsienee OF the north held and yeats afterwards the
o.ec, was auaoed 1t is no derogaon the credi, what
mao BEFORE been prepared and discussed tho form of reso
uens ~ one should reason in that way what would become
Independence? y ~ a''o'i Oh
rs moi sentiments in that paper which lis moi been
Oeu anu resolved IN the assemblies, horc