The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-08-05

public use? We think clearly not, for if
the slaves are for public use, they must re-
main IN servitude and The object of emanci.
patton IS not accomplished. A contrary
doctrine, opposed as II is by reason, would
be still more reprehensible IN It's consequent
ces. For admit the constituionality of
congress TO abolish Slavery in the District,
suppose the abolitionists to succeed in max.
ing it political question and obtain ma.
Jority IN congress, we would exhibit the
singular scene of government imposing
tax upon the wealth of the community for
the purpose Of becoming purchaser of its
property and reducing its value 10 nothing.
Ia other words, the South would be paving
tax TO government for the purpose OF en-.
abIng 1t 10 become a purchaser of her
slaves. and the seat Of government would be
the mart where they would be brought for
the purpose of emancipation. These may
be called mere evils of the ina gination,-
perhaps they are so, for this Union would
be sundered apart before the South would
permit their existence. But if we wish TO
preserve that Union--if we wish TO enjoy
lis benefits, we should meet these doctrines
!; the threshold, not only by reason, but by
elevating if possible to the chief. Maglstracy,
men who hold similar opinions 10 our own
on this subject-opinlons, as We of the
South believe, SO vitality important 10 the
preservation of this Union. Mr.. Van Blu.
rem is not that man. On this subject we
are disposed TO do Mr.. Van Buren, all jus.
lice, and for that purpose quote from his
own le' his opinion on this question:
g lowe il however, to candour, TO say 10
you, that have not been able TO satisfy
myself that the grant TO congress in the
constitution, Of the power OF +" exclusive lie.
gsation in all cases whatever" over the
Federal District, does not confer on that
body the same authority over the subject
that would otherwise have been possessed
by lie States Of Maryland and Virginia, or
that congress might no, in virtue thereof
take such steps as those States might them.
selves take within their own hints and con.
sisientIy with their rights Of sovereignty.
Thus resuming the matter, | would not
from The lights nov before me, feel myself
safe IN pronouncing that congress does not
possess the power Of aboilshng Slavery IN
the District Of columbia"
Non.commiital and eyasiye as this Ian.
euage is. If il means anything, il is that IN
his Mr.. Van Buren's\> opinion, congress
possesses the constitutional power to abolish
Slavery in the District Of columbia. YET
we Of the South holding, as We do, contrary
opinions, dreading as we do the practical
result of their operation, are called upon to
support Mr.. Van Buren,. We cannot sup
pose that any one who makes the interest
Of his country his motive of action will do so.
10 te coatiHued.)
CL,r How cheering aud CRAFTY ing to the
feelings, amid the din Of political conrover,
sy, TO turn TO the proceedings Of such body
as the Knoxville convention. 1t is like re-
turning from the trouble and turmoil of
business TO enjoy the sweet tranquility OF
domestic repose. Here are no chickering's
no prostltuted motlyes,-nauah but their
country's welfare aud prosperity constitute
the object of their speculation aud the theme
OF their eloquence. There was only one
drawback 10 the delight with which we pc.
rused the proceedings of that body. 1t was,
that North carolina, in her stngy parslmo.
ny, had made no appropriations for the sur.
veys within her borders; and that, too,
when If the road is established, large
proportion of the money necessary to lis
completion will probably be expended with.
in her borders, and the road tend to pro.
mote the prosperity Of large portion Of her
citizens. We hope, however, on tins sub.
ject that the people will not respond 10 this
parsimonious proceeding of their legislature
that as private individuals they will at
least subscribe for a proportional part
of the stock aud unite with her sister States
in the glory of accomplishing so great a
work.
While on this subject we would call the at.
tention of our readers to the recent proceed.
ings Of the people at Salisbury, which was
published two weeksago, andat Fayetteville,
which We shall publish next week, on the
subject of uniting the valleys Of the Yadkin
and Catawba with the latter Town, by means
Of railroad. Fayetteville has acted no.
bly, on the occasion in the employment Of
an engineer 10 survey the route.
We are placed in delicate position on
this subject. Nature has pointed out mar.
ket for our produce when state pride would
lead US to select another. Let, however,
the means Of transportation be increased
bring Fayetteville as near to us as cheraw