State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02

| 1--WE blush for our country while we
relate this dsgracefu transaction, and we
would fain conceal it from the world did
not its very enormity inspire us with the
hope that it will rouse the philanthropist
and the patriot to eXertion. We have no
hesitation in believing your honorable body
never intended that this odious law should
be enforced; it was adopted with the old
code of Maryland, from which, we believe,
it has been eXpunged since the District
was coded to the General Government.
"The fact Of its having been so recently
executed, shows the necessity of this sub
ject being investigated by power which
we confidently hope will be ready to cor
rect it.
ave are aware of the difficulties that
would attend any attempt to relieve us
from these grievances by sudden emanci-
patton of the slaves in this District and we
would, therefore, be far from recommend
ing so rash q measure. But the course
pursued by many of the States of this
Confederacy, that have happily succeeded
in relieving themselves from a similar bur-
den, together with the bright example
which has been set us by the South Amer
lean Republics, proves, most conclusively,
that course of gradual emancipation, to
/
effect only upon those who may thereafter
be born or removed into the District, might
be pursued without detriment to the
present propretors, and would greatly re-
dound to the prosperity and honor OF our
country.
"The existence among us of distinct
class of people, who, by their condition as
slaves, are deprived of almost every incen-
tive to virtue and industry, and shut out
from many of the sources of light and
knowledge, has an evident tendency to cor
rupt the morals of the people, and TO damp
the spirit of enterprise, by accustoming the
rising generation to look with contempt
upon honest labor, and to depend for sup
port too much upon the labor of others.
1t prevents useful and industrious class of
people from settling among us, by render
ing the means of subsistence more preca-
rious to the laboring class of whites.
at dimnishes the resources of the COM
munity, by throwing the earnings of the
poor into the Golfers of the rich; thus rem
derng the former dependant, servile, and
imprOvident; while the latter are tempted
to become, in the same proportion, luXuri-
GUS and prodigal.
"rhat these disastrous results flow from
the existence of slavery among us, is suffi-
ciently conspicuous, when we contrast the
languishing condition of this District, and
the surrounding country, with the prosper
ity of those parts of the Union which are
less favored in point of climate and location,
but blessed with free and industrious
population.
ave would, therefore, respectfully pray
that these grievances may claim the atten-
ton of your honorable body, and that a law
of Congress may be enacted, declaring
that all children of slaves, born i'll the Dis
trict of Columbia after the fourth day of
July, eighteen hundred and twenty eight,
shall be free at the age of twenty-five years,
and that those laws, which authorize
the selling of supposed runaways for their
prison fees or maintenance, may be repeal
ed.
Sand, also, that laws may be enacted to
prevent slaves from being removed into
this District, or brought in for sale, hire, or
transportation; without, however, pre-
venting members of Congress, resident
strangers, or travellers, from bringing and
taking away with them their domestic SER
wants"
Mr. Patton inquired whether the gentle
man from Vermont could inform him
how uany of the signers were slave hol-
ders.
MIR Garland made a further inquiry
: whether the gentleman from Vermont
knew if they were all inhabitants of the
District.
Mr. Sade replied, he could not inform
the gentleman how many of the signers
were shareholders. He personally knew
some of them, and knew them to be own
ers of slaves. The list of names, some of
which he read, embraced men of all the
9 professions and employments in the Dis
! trict- judges, lawyers, physicians, mer-
= chants, mechanics, and laborers.
As to the question said Mr. S. whether
! all the signers were inhabitants of this Dis
trict, cannot, of course, answer it. can
E only say that the petition was presented TO
this House seven years ago, and has remain
ed on file in the Clerks Office ever since,
n open to inspection; and that it has been,
e during the past year, among the published
v documents of this House; and, moreover,
that it purports on its face to be petition
e of inhabitants of this District. Under
1 these circumstances, submit whether
v there is not sufficient presumption that
it is what it purports TO be, to put gentle
g men upon proof of the contrary.
: And now, MIR Speaker, let me enireai
# gentlemen to look into this petition. l do
It this the more earnestly, because they will
), find the names of many there, whom, Lam
n persuaded, they will not be inclined &c
IS charge either with ignorance or fanatcism
a but on whose truth and intelligence, and
e Judgment they may place the most conf
t, dent reliance. They state facts which they
!. are in condition to know, and advance
n opinions, the soundness of which is no
1t liable to be affected by northern prejudces
l. on this subject. They are in the midst o