Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-06-02

tpngrtSs possesses no constitutions
power to interfere IN any way with IN,
institution Of slavery. in any of IN,
States Of this ConfederaCV, thew ii,
not dwell upon. declaring that If Their,
Is any political or constitutional princi.
pie which the people of the l.. States
consider rs settled beyond all possible
controversy. IT is, tina, the institution OF
slavery, As II exists IN the States of this
Coniederacy. is municipal. not nation
al, and that IL belongs exclusively 10
the States, and can only be affected by
State legislation. The solemn declare
iion, As above reported, agrecably 10
The order of the House at Representa-
hves, will have a beneficial effect. for
the aboliiionis,s, caring little for anci-
patton IN the District of Columbia, ex-
oep, as the precursor OF far more ex-
tended scheme, having now no hope
of governmental Interference with the
States, will discontinue their machina.
tons in the District.
The second proposition. namely,
that. III the opinion Of this House
Congress ought not To Interfere, in anv
way, with slavery in the District of Co.
lumbia." with the reasons assigned. the
committee dwell upon at great length.
They first undertake 10 show. that such
interference would be violation of the
public faith rs regards the States of
Virginia and Maryland. For this pur-
pose, they enter into an examination of
the relations between the Federal go-
vernmcnt and the District, in the course
OF which they point out that the powers
OF Congress over the District are wholly
independent OF. and derived from a
source entirely separate from. the ge-
neral legislative powers granted 10 Con-
gresS 10y the Constitution, for the ces-
sion from Virginia was not made until
nine months after the Federal Govern
ment had been in operation, and that
from Maryland not tor nearly two
years. The powers Of Congress as the
local legislature were derived from the
ccSsions by Virginia and MARYLAND
and not from the general powers con-
ierred on i: by the Constitution: and
these special powers have been cNer-
CISed To very limited extent.
Exclusive legislation in all cases was
granted To Congress over the territory
which was TO constitute the seat of the
General Government. because the old
Congress had encountered inconve-
nIenceS and even dangers from hold
lures had exclusive jurisdiction. Their
object IN securing exclusive control
over the territory in which they should
sat, was solely seIf-proteciion. The
committee show that with this object
the abolition of slavery has of course no
conneNion. They next go on to argue.
that had not tins territory been made
over to the general government. Mary
land and Virginia would certainly not
have abolished slavery in ii. They
slate, and support the statement with
strong argument, that the abolition by
Congress would be- n virtual violation of
faith towards these two States. and to-
wards the individual inhabitants of the
District. The citizens Of the District
themselves are strongly opposed to it.
and Congress having no interest IN the
question for their own protection. but
merely as the local legislature for them.
should be- influenced by their wishes.
The abolition of slavery IN the Dis. I
trict, surrounded as IT is by the States
of Maryland and Virginia, would be
dangerous TO those States. The Dis.
trIct would be neutral ground be.
tween two slaye-holding States. where
free blacks, fugitive slaves, and inccn.
diaries would be- assembled for the
work of general aboIi,ionism
The measure, they next demonstrate
would be- not only dangerous 20 the SCI
curity and interest OF these two States. .
but likewise 10 certain extent luluri-
Gus to the other slaychold,ng States.
III then. al the States were ,ou,IIy inter.
ested IN The national object, for which th,.
territory was ceded - ths seat Of the Federal
Government n that ces.iOn Wus ds.irne, D.,
ihe Trainer. 81 the contribution. a. enure a. Tie
benefit ot the whole conf,defacy. anI wss
made m iunhennce Il that dc.tsu md n
ongress. contrary o. The oh,iuus intent and
spirit 81 the csssion shall 10 90 ,ct no, rsq,,,s-
ed by TIE National object, contemplated ~ 81.
bot directly fcpugnaW a. t.r irtsre.n Ard
si'hes u Tie citizens 81 the r,ded TERRITORY.
and calculated o. disturb The pelce sol IN.
LANCER The Interests, 81 TIE .lavohpiding mem
'er' ~ thc iniun. such 10 act must Le in vio-
stinn ~ ihr pnbiic faith. II the faith repYsed
10 Congress boy The ststrs that mode the ces.
'i"n, snd which souid hr deeply iriYred ~
such an eNsrciss n power under DO snd also
n the faith rrpossd u rllt taft PSI 40 dc
states inasmuch as np independent state ,n
~ ! mon ran be ipfuf,t ip o., peace. 80 IT,
1ghnul Interests. ht Ut sftrn q fhr Federal
'ofernment. siu.or'ta r.rr-.i.Yadinz injury
p etery member pf &c. saHlrdefaisd states y
The committee conclude their repon
~ an elaborate exposition. showing I
bat any Interference with slavery in
Doe DiNurt by Conue,s would be- un.
Hise. impoiiiIr and dangerous 20 the
mon. 10 order Co arrest the agitation 4
4 the .uhlcri, snd % restore lranquIlli- {
y to ihc pubic Mind. they recon- 9
n"nf The adoption Of the following
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