Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-04-13
SPEECH OF MIR. NORRIS. OF OHIO,
In Senate, FED. 9, lS39.-(Concluded.)

District II they had thought slavery "ouo ever
have been abolished in il. This is old story
twice told. 1t was never, however, thought Of
until the slave power imagined it, for its own Sc
curitv Let the States ask retrocesslon OF the
District, and am sure the FREQ States will rejoice
to make the grant.
The Senate. condemns tho abolitionist for de-
string that slavery should not exist IN the Terri
tories even in Florida. He insists that. by the
treaty, the inhabitants of that country have the
RICH, 10 remove their EFFECTS when they please.
and that, by this condition, they have the right
to retain their slaves effects, independently OF
the power of Congress. | am no dplomatis'. sir.
/ but | venture TO deny the conclusion OF the Sen
ator's argument. In nil our intercourse with for
eign nations, in all our treaties III which the
words ssgoods, effccts,'' &c. are used, slaves
have never been considered included In all
cases in which slaves are the subject matter OF
controversy, they specially named by the word
slaves and, if remember rightly, it has been
decided in Congress that slaves are not property
! for which compensation snail be n,ado when Ia
ken for public use, (or rather slaves cannot oe
considered as taken for public use,) or property
by the enemy, when they are in the service OF
| the United States. Ill am correct; as believe
am, IN the positions have assumed, tho gentle
man Can say nothing, by this part Of his argu-
mcn, against aboiionists, for asking that slavery
shall not exist IN Florida.
The gentleman conte ends that the power 10 re-
is found in that part Of the Constitution which
gives Congress the power 10 regulate commerce
within the States, &c. This argument Is non Sc
quitur, unless the honorable Senate: first
prove that slaves are proper articles tor COM
merce. We say that Congress have power over
slaves only as persons. Inc United states can
protect persons. but cannot make them property,
and they have full power in regulating commerce,
and cam in such regulations, prohibit from its
operations every thing hut property; property
made so by the laws of nations, and not by any
municipal regulations The dominion of man
yer things, property. was settled by his Crea-
tor when man was first placed upon the GARTH
He was to subduc the earth, and have dominion
over the fish Of the sea, the fowls of the air, and
over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth; every herb bearing seed, and the frui: of a
tree Welding seed. was given tor his use. This
is the foundation Of all rig ht in property OF every
1t is for the Ct man the grant is
made, and Of course man cannot be included in
the grant. Every municipal regulation then, of
anv State, any of its peculiar institutions,
which makes man property. Is violation OF this
great law of nature, and is founded In usurpatIon
and tyranny, ard is accomplished by force fraud,
or an abuse Of power. 1t is Il olation of tho
principles of tru,h and justice. in subacting the
'. caker To the stronger man. In a Christian ma
ton such property can form no just ground for |
regulations, but ought to be strictly |
therefore believe il is the duty of
Congress, by virtue Of this power 10 regulate
to prohibit. at once, slaves being used |
Is articles of trade.
The geniIeman saws. the Constitution left the
subject of slavery entirely to the States. To this
position assent; and the States cannot reg
liate their own commerce. but the same being
he right of Congress. that body cannot make
lavcs an article of commerce, because slavery /
3 lel, entirely to the States III which it exists,
nd slaves within those States. according to the
Gentleman are excluded from the power of Con-
,rcss Can Congress, in regulating commerce
mong the several States, authorize The transport
of articles from State and their sale in
mother, which they have not power so TO author |
ze in anv State2 Icannot believe in sncn doc
-ine: and now solemnly protest against the I
over of Congress 10 authorize the transportation
}, and the sale in, Ohio, of any negro slave
ha,cver, or for possible purpose under the :
IN Who is there N Ohio. or elsewhere. that I
ill dare deny this position? If Ohio contains :
luh n recreant to her constitution and policy, i
ope he NAV have the bodness TO stand forth and n
VOW it. If the States in which slavery exists O
We it as household god, let them keep it there, $
nd no, call upon us in the free States TO offer in q
,nse to their idol. We do not seek TO touch it 3
it'll unhaIlowed hands, but with pure hands, uD- r
is cd in the cause Of truth and altering humanity a
The gentleman admits that a, the formation Of q
If Government, ii feared that slavery might |,
'entually ide distract country; and, rs %
BALLOT BOX seems COntiHulIv 10 HduIlt ms W
tion he says there IS real danger of dssolu If
IN of the Union if Abolitionsts, s evident .,
ev do. will carry their principles into the ballot
* If not dsunion in fact, at least in feeling, is
the country, which is always the precursor TO hi
e clash of arms And the gentleman further n,
VS. are taught by holy writ, "that the race is W
1 10 the swift. the battle to the strong e,
ne moral of the genteman's argument IS. tina, "
i,h and righteousness will prevail, though OPP si
sed by power and influence: that Abolition IA
:, though few in number, ere greatly to be h
.red. One, as have said, may chase thou le
nd, and two put ten thousand to fiight and, as h.
cir weapons of warfare are not "carnal, but IN
gh'v to the pulling down of stronghoids." even US
very itself; and the ballot box is the great he
'ral lever in political action, the gentleman to
ud exclude Abolitonis,s entirely from its use. W,
J. for opinions sake. deny them this high tn
vilcee of every American citizen. Permit in
), sir. to remind the gentleman Of another text no
holy writ The wicked flee when no man no
-sueth, but the righteous bold lion." rnc
e Senator says that those who have slaves, co
sometimes supposed to be under too much a sc
m. Does this prove the application of the all
t l have just quoted! "Conscience some Va
les makes towards of ia all - The Senator l