Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-03-29

Bot go fuihet. sit II Congress. under ,hs
clause giving !, exclusive leeisiation IN all r,,
Wbsis"e,er' over the Distinct. have AUTHORITY ID,
impose taxes and provide how thcy shall be- taseA
Tor local snd municipal putPoscs DO mt src Nh,
u has 10, the power, BY means or taxniion. To cf
f"c, thc abolition of slavery here. say nothing
of the night OF justice of exciting the power IA,
such purpose. speak only the power, and
oi us capacity IN be used, to accomplish such a,
cad. But, however this may be- hold tina, Con-
gress, ifthe public interests and welfare REQUIRE il
msy directly aud a, once. emaneipa,e the ,lavr,
on making Just Compensation TO the owners -
The clause ~ the Constitution, which regulate. the
taking Of private property for public use, is nn,, in
my opinion, restricted 10 such property, meicly =.
may be converted rnd appliPdto The aclu-l use and
cm"lumcnI oflhc public. lnk the word u, ID,
the Constitution. - 10 lie understood Ia liberal
scnsc, as equivalent to purpose. or benefit; and
that whatever is taken f1r public purposes, or hr
the public benefit, is taken f1- public u'r, w,hl1
the meaning of the constitution.
These. sir, are my doct rlnrs Upon this very in.
tcrestng and important subject, have stated
them briefly but frankly giving a glimpse taihct
than view " the reasons b. which they may hi
sustained. have fcit it incumbent upon me to cav
something and conll not, in the proper discharge
ofr'y duty here. we'll say less.
have not been able 10 persuade myself ,ha, u
would subserye the cause oftruh and justice con.
tribute ut all to the peace Of tho country or serve
III any degree, to strengthen the union of these
States TO withhold the expression of our real opin
ions upon this question. The people should net
be blinded upon tbs subject, any more than upua
any other. SAGE At il agitnted it ia due 10 The
country, il s due both to the North and to the
South To state eyulici Is the views we ,n,rti,in
upon this most important nntrcr. To know that
Congress has tao power 10 abolish slavery in this
Distinct. need not, and will not, produce alarm OF
I apprehension IN any qrortcr Of the Union. The
People every where must feel assured, and ought
to rest satisfied, that this power like all other
powers under the Constuiion will be exercised
with becoming wisdom and discretion with ins,
regard to the interests not only of this District, bu,
of the who'e country. They ought to know mud
mus, know, that when policy, expedioncy, and jus.
tice concur IN the measure when it can be adopted
with safety to the Union, aud security To all
then, and then only, vii the power be exercised;
and th. when exercised. i, will DC in such man.
ner az shall neiter disturb the public rsnquilltyuot
vilatc the sancity of private righls.
Sir, think the time must come, and will come,
when slavery will cease to cxis, in the District
The opinion Of all Chrl,endom. the opinion Of the
civilized world. is becoming uniform and settled
the general subject of slavery. Its Influence must
be felt. 1t cannot always be resisted and the
time will come when Southern men will cease their
opposition To measure, to which they nov feel,
and have no doubt sincerely feel. that they can
not yield their assent, without danger, great and
imminent dunger, to the socal relations and es.
tabshed Institutions Of the d uies IN which they
live.