The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-20

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relied upon furnishing all needed support the southern
doctrine 1t will readily be admitted that the first view
this contain the elements of argument be
sisted Here the property in slaves be only
nzed but method is provided by which the Shareholder wher
Invested of this property, may regain although the law of
sister state may have been nterposed defeat his
purpose Here is say the shareholders, a constitutional guar
any OF the institution of slavery and guaranty necessarily
implies sanction, approval.
This construction has heretofore been admitted and adopted
IN practice That it is the one from the light which
has recently been shed upon the subject and from
which have not been publicly exhibited only the slaves but
their friends and the friends of truth and justice feel authorized
to deny.
l. The constitution processes have been ordained and
tabshed by the people of the United States for these several
specific purposes, to wit:
L. 10 form perfect union
2 10 establish justice
3. 10 insure domestic tranquility
4. 10 provide for the common defence
5. 10 promote the general welfare.
t. 10 secure the blessings of liberty themselves and their
posteriy.
seeking for the meaning of any particular clause should
have constant reference these Objects and these only and
give that construction which will best their attainment
we are not at liberty to suppose that Washington and his
peers In enumeration of the specific objects they labor
ing to accomplish could either be Ignorant of part of
hem through carelessnes omit them. Nor admit
that they would fail of using appropriate words convey their
meaning suffer objects be nsdouy inserted and prov
ded for other than those which enumerated We not
however, to conclude that their language would in all be
equally clear. There variety of interests represented in
the convention and variety of tastes habits and opinions found
some instances be hazarded for the sake of unanmiy.
Which of the leading objects of the constitution is aided by
this construction of the clause question? 1t be the
first unless the perfect union sought be union
the practice of the very evils against which contend
ing all the states under the operation of this clause of the
constitution were become slave States more perfect union
the sin of savehoding would doubtless have been
tanned cannot be the second for with that is utterly in
compabe unless protect the rober in the enjoyment of his
spos be to establish justice" 1t must them be the third
-" insure domestic tranquility for with the fourth has
connection, and directly conflicts with the fifth and the
SIXTH But how this construction calculated insure do
mesc tranquility" We answer precisely in the same wav
and other that the application of the engines of oppression
the bodies and limbs of men struggling for freedom has, in
all ages repressed their struggles ubdued their spirits and ia
ken away their most essential attributes This certainly sin
domestic tranquility among the shareholders, far
their victims concerned But delivering up fugitive slaves
those who condescend the capacity of masters and
thus reconsgnng them servtude does not but indirectly in
sure even this kind OF domestic tranquility For if the fugitive
has tasted the of liberty may rely upon the
tranquility of his will not be Ensured without
further trouble. The lah severely applied the iron yo the
cham and other ornaments for the pesonhe private prison.
the dreaded Sal the embarhao the middle passage the hor
rid coe these the expedents which really insure domes
tic tranquility BY preventing the occasion tor invoking the aid
the insurance of which the trainers of the constitution pa
ocay labored9 so, the iron rule of desPCsm which Wash
ngon might that time have swayed would have much
efectualy accomplished the purpose.
But may be sad collision between the states likely to fol-
low from the fact that tolerated slavery while others did
not be prevented by the operation of this clause That
originating this cause has not been Waged between
of the states doubtless that such would have been the
if this clause had been inserted altogether without
proof not without probability Its conservative effect there
FORE only lecture speculation. There is
ground for supposng that but for this construction of the clause
question: slavery would long since have been universally abo
ished and thus the of collision have been removed It's
however, useless speculate in speculation where
we have right require proof and long the friends of
this construction fail produce it. may decline the contest
leaving opinions to balance theirs.
g The fact be admitted that the construction
tended for based upon principle directly adverse to those
which guided fathers the acquisition of Independence
Conformity with this construction will certainly lead to viola
ton OF these seevdent truths that all created equal
that they endowed by their Creator with certain naenabe
7gAtSi that among these e liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness that these rights governments nstu-
ted deriving their just powers from the consent of the
ed any argument illustration necessary prove this
Are not slaves part of all men, en-have they not rights
by the endowment of their Creator? Are not e liberty and
the pursuit of happiness dear them and above ALL they
emphacay the goUernedand have they fairly and
freely consented to the rule which exercised them
g. The constitution, if it refers slaves all, calls them
PERSONS" which, in parlance is supposed
human beings-men and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. parts
of We the people of the United States, who ordained and
established the constitution they occupy this grade in the
scale of being admitted by the organic law of the land which
supersedes and controls the laws of every how does
happen that they have lost this their brhgh and become the
degraded wreched chaes personal which this constuc
ton supposes This construction would give the clause in