Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-06-23

towns OF Ohio, which | saw IN a news
paper. II was said that nothing more
was intended than TO produce 4 state of
public feeling which would lead 10 ar
amendment Of the constitution. au,ho.
ming the abolition Of slavery In the
United States. Now can an amend
meni OF the constitution be effected
without the consent Of the southern
states What then is the proposition
TO be submitted to them, II is this:
The present provisions Of the Consti-
'ution secures TO YOU the right a right
which YOU held before II was made
and which you have never given up)
to manage your domestic concerns in
your own way; but as we are convinc-
ed that you do not manage them pro.
Perly We want you TO putin the hands
oil the general government. in the ccun-
cils OF which We have the majority. the
control over these matters, the effect of
which Will be virtually 20 transfer the
power from yours into other hands
Again: IN some Of the states. and IN
sections Of others, the black popula-
ton far exceeds that OF the white
Some of the emsncipators propose an
immediate abolition. What is The pro-
position, then. as II regards those states
and parts Of states, but the alternatives
OF amalgamaiion with the blacks. or an
exchange OF situations with them -
Is there any man Of common sense
who does believe that the emanci.
pated blacks, being a majority. will
not insist upon full participation Of
political rights with the whites. and
when possessed Of these. that they
will not contend for a full share OF the
social rights also What but the cx-
tremlty OF weakness and folly could
induce any one 10 think tina, such pro.
positions as these could be listened 10
by people so intelligent as those of
the southern states. Further the E.
manciPators generally declare tina, tits
their intention 10 effect their object
although their acts contradict the as
seriionl by no other means than bv
convincing the shareholders that the
immediate emancipation of the .laves
IS called for, both by moral Obligation
and sound policy. An unfedged youth
At the moment Of his leaving Indeed
in MANY instances before he has left
~ his Theological! Seminary. under.
takes 10 give lectures upon moral, 10
the counTymen OF Wythe. Tucker.
Pendieton aud Lownles. and lesson,
OF political wisdom to states whose al
fairs have so recently been directed bv
Jefferson and Madison, Macon and
Crawl ford Is IT possible tha,Ins,ances
OF greater vanity and presumption
could be exhibited
But the course pursued blythe eman-
oipaiors IL unconstitutional. | do no,
say that there are words in the Con-
s'itu'ion which forbid such discussions
as they are engaged in. | know ,ha,
there are not. And there is even an
article which secures 10 the citizen, the
right 10 express and publish their onin-
ions without restriction. But IN the
construction of the Constitution II Is
always necessary 10 refer 10 the cir.
cumstances under which twas formed
and TO ascertain ITS meaning bv A com
pariSon oiIts provisions with each other
and with the previous situation Of the
several states who were parties TO it
In portion Of these, slavery was re-.
cognized. and they took care TO have
the right secured 10 them. 10 follow
and reclaim such Of them az were (u-
eluves 10 other states. The laws Of
Congress passed under this power.
have provided punishment 10 any Who
shall oppose or interrupt the exercise
OF this right. Now can any one believe
that the instrument which contain, a
provision Of this kind. which author.
izes a master 10 pursue his slave into
another state. take him back, and bro
misses punishment for any citizen or
citizens Of that state " ho should oppose
him. should at the same time author
lse the latter 20 assemble toyetber IN
pass resolutions and adopt addresses.
not only 10 encourage the slaves 20
leave their masters. but 20 cut their
ihroais before they do So insist
TIA: Il The citizens 81 the n9n-sllye.
holding states can avail themselves Of
he article Of the contribution which
prohibits the restriction 4 speech. or
'he press ~ publish any thing injurious
10 tie rights q the holding states
hat they can 20 The extreme thaiT
have mcoiioned. and effect any fling
'r'her. which writing or speak,r-
-n1'd effect But feilow-eirize1sibese
pre- Mt The principles Of The C1n,ufu.
non such q construction would de.
.eai one oi The goat objects Of ~ for.
nation. which was that Of sseur,s,
he peace and harmony Of the .f,,e,
which we're plr'ies 60 g. The Liberty
II speech and of the pres, were gi,eg
be the most cfec'ual mean, n ,feser,e
o each and every citzsa tier Own
tights. and 70 the safe The iyhis st,cb
ippeftained 70 them al 'bc time Il b.,
idopiioo.
II could never have bee7 expected
hat il would be used by the CITIZENS Of
ne portion q The states f1r The pur-