Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-12-13

]
would have been the most glowing lnvec-
tive. The great objection, however,
which the editor of the Spy and his Abo-
lition associates have to make 10 Webster
and Davis, and indeed all ou Delegation
in Congress, is, that they do not play The
part oil, ag,tiaorS in the Senate and the
Aouse, for the purpose Of creating public
sentiment abroad among the people.
Another resolution was as follows:
"Resoircd, That reasons Of STATE policy,
and considerations Of poIltlca economy,
can no more justify or excuse Northern
rreemen and statesmen in neglccling to
vote for the abolition of slavery IN the Dis
trct of Columbia and Territories, and the
prohibition Of the interstate slave trade,
than they can Southern frcemen and states
men in negIecting abolish slavery in their
respective States"
II their were no obstacles in the way Of
the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia but such as Estate policy or 'po-
itical economy" might suggest, the diff
Guilty would be small. But it is not So
The overshadowing considerations Of LAW
and JUSTICE interpose their barren to any
legislative infringement upon the legal
and constitutional rights of the inhabi-
SAINTS of the District. TO abolish slavery
in The District, without the consent of its
citizens, would be as much a violation of
the rights Of property of the people, as
would be the legislative confScation OF
hn IF n
law could not stand the test Of any enIigh-
tened and impartial judicial tribunal.
The Aboltionsts seem not to regard
the difficulties that lie in the way ofany
legislation on the subject; but to consider
that Congress has the same control over
slavery in this country as the British Gov
ernmeEt has over slavery throughout the
widespread British empire; that Con-
gress has only to speak freedom to the
slaves Of the United States, as the British
Government did 10 those Of the West In
dies, and they will then be free. But
they mistake; they do not consider what |
is the true character of our system; that |
most the whole power Of leg station lies in
the hands Of the State governments, and |
that Congress is expressly restrained on
all sides from exercising any legislative,
powers but those that have been specii- |
cally confded to it; that no power has been
delegated 10 Congress to touch slavery in |
the States; and that it cannot rightiuIIy |
touch the institution within the limits of !
the District without the consent of its i&-
habtants.
"Res0Ir'd, That it is peculiarly the du-
~ ofthe ministry, conservators as they
are of the public morals, both by the cleo
ion of the people and their own ordina-
ton VOWS, not on y to cease from throwing
obstacles in the way of the anti-sIavery
but to aid it, with heartfelt
zeal and extraordinary activity"
The amount Of this resolution is, that
it is the duty of the clergy to 60 out into
the highways and by ways of their par
lshes, and eIectioneer "with heartfelt
ZEAL" and, by "exlraordinary activi-
ty," bring up the whole church to the
ballot box to uote for the candid teS Of
me Of The political parties Of the day.
There may be some who may consider it
heir duty SO to act, but the great body of
he clergy, "conservators as they are call
I'd of the public MORALS" shave not so
earned Christ"
The following resolution is decidedly
md unequivocally revolutionary in its
character and tendency. The conven.
ion deliberately declared its determine
ion to diSO6ey The lars Of The eouairy.-
they are tablet be called on by the Gov
eminent to aid in suppressing Sergiie
oar; but they in effect declare that they
will obey none Of its orders, and will look
on the bloody re.enactment
If the Southampton tragedy, instIgoted,
perhaps, on broader scale by their own
resolutions and harrangues.
"Resoiced, That all legislative enact
nenls, arraying the civil and military
lower Of the nation against the slave, are 7
n outrage on humanity--a violation Of !
norality and reIigon--and therefore null d
nd void; and that we will never return '
Igiive slave into bondage, NOR BEAR L
rms TO KEEP HIM FROM HIS IN.
ILlENABLE RIGHTS"
'RIGIN OF THE WORD Loco FOCo. l
VI