Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-04-12
their free choice in the matter, and they may

their free choice in the matter, and they may
be assured, that there is no one less likely
to complain Of its exercise than myself
The peculiar importance Of the subject,
and desire which you will allow me to
feeD that my views oft should be correctly
understood, make it proper that [ should ex-
plain the grounds of the opinions above ex-
pressed. They are founded, amongst Others,
on the following considerations, VIZ:
lst. believe, that lift had been foreseen,
u, the time Of the adoption Of the Constitli.-
ton, that the seat of the Federal Govern
ment woul be fixed in slave holding region,
and that the subject of slavery would be-
there agitated to the prejudice OF those
holding this species of property, the righ: to
do so, would, will, the assent Of the non--
slave holding States, have been made anex-
ception to the unrestricted legislative power
given to Congress over the District to be
ceded.
2dIy. cannot but regard the agitatien
of this subject in the District Of Columbia.
as a surprise upon the people of Maryland
and Virginia, being very confident that II
the state of things which now exists, had
been at all apprehended by those States
,,he cession of the District would not have
been made, except upon the express con.
dition that Congress should exercise no such
power; and that with such condition the
cession would, in the then state Of public
opinion, have been readily accepted.
3dly. / do therefore believe that die aboli.
ton Of slavery in the District Of Columbia,
against the wishes Of the slave holding
States, (assuming that Congress has the
power to effect it) would violate the spirit
of that compromise of interests, which lies
at the basis of our social compact; and )
am thoroughly convinced, that It could not
be so done, without imminent peril, ifnot
certain destruction to the Union Of the
States. Viewing the matter in this light 1t
is my clear and settled opinion, that the
Federal Government ought to abstain from
doing so, and that it is the sacred duty Of
those whom the people Of the United States
entrust with the control Of its action, so to
use the constitutional power with which
they are invested, US. to prcventit it..
l think it due to the OCCASION, and only
simple act of Justice to my fellow citizens
Of the North, of all political parties, to odd
the oppression of my full belief, that tlle'
opinions above expressed, accord IN SUBJ.
stance, with those entertained by a larger.
majority of the people Of tho nop-slaSe'
holding States than has ever before existed
in those States on apublic question Of equal
magnitude. 1t is also due to them to say
that their sentiments on this subject spring
out of considerations oftoo high acharacterS
and look to consequences of too solemn an
import, to be shaken by slight causes.
With only generous confidence on the.
part of the South, in their Brethren Of the:
North, and firm determination on the
part Of each, TO visit with their seyetea
displeasure any attempt TO connect the sub
ject with party politics, those sentiments
cannot be oyerthrown. All future attempts
on the part Of the abolitionists to do SO,
will then only serve to accumulate and con-
centrate public odiuhr on themselves. Inat
there are persons at the North, who are far
from concurring in the prevailing sentiment
| have described, is certainly true Z blt. their
numbers when compared with the rest offiSe.
community are very inconslderable; and
if the condition Of things be not greatly
aggravated by imprudence, many of them,
| have no doubt, will ultimately adopt
soundcr views Of the subject; and the
efforts Of those who may persist In the
work of agitation, may be overcome by
reason, or rendered imperative by constitl-
tional remedies. ss,t
To one class Of those who7hayc hitherto
petitioned Congress .or the. abolition Of
slavery in the District Of Columbia, can.
not forbear to refer. I alflde' the society
of Friends, or the people usually denomi-
mated Quakers. The uniformity of their
course upon this subject, the temperate
manner in which it has been manifested,
and the marked excellence Of their con.
duct and character, appear to have, con-
ciliated respect for their motives, even from
those who differ with them in opipion: As
far as my observation has enabled me to
Judge, it is due to them to say, that as there
has been no indication of any change Of
opinion upon their part during the present.
excitement, 80 has there been no. evidence;
of disposition to lend themselves to, the
undue agitations of the public mind of
tempted by others. There is certainly no.
class of people in this country, who have a.
deeper interest in the preservation Of the
Union and of the happy system of Govern:
ment which it upholds,. than they; and it
has now become very apparent to all reflect.
inc and observing minds, that the question
efslavery in the District of Columbia can.
not be pressed to the result they desirc,-
with safety to those paramount objects.
n. not fheca considerations: ;,,Sfifv the