Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1839-03-07
speech Of NE. Claw.
ON THE SUBJECT OF ABOLITION PETITIONS.
(COnclmded.l

OS+s~S 1900
The next instance in which the exercise |
of the mower of Congress. is solicited IS that |
Of prohibiting what Is denominated by the |
petitioners theslave trade between the StNtsss I
or as il is described in abolition petitions, the
traffic in human beings between the States,
This exercise of the power of Congress is
claimed under that clause of the ConStitu-
ZION which invests it with authority to reyll.
late commerce with foreign nations, and
among the several States, and with the la
dian tribes. The power 10 regulate CON-
merce among the several States, like other
powers in the Constitution, has hitherto re-
manned dormant in respect to the interior
trade by land between the States II was u
power granted, like all other powers of the
General Government to secure peace and
harmony among the States. Hitherto it has
not been necessary to exercise It. All the
cases, in which, during the progress Of time,
it may become expedient TO exert the gene
raj authority to regulate commerce between
the States. cannot be conceived. We may
easily imagine. however, contingencies.
which. il they were to happen. might require
II, for example, the State Of Ohio were by
law, to prohibit any vessel entering the port
Of Cincinnati, from the port Of Louisville. in
Kentucky, If that case be not already provi.
ded for by the laws which regulate our coast
ing trade, it would be competent to the Gen.
eral Government to annul the prohibition
emanating from State authority. Or If the
State of Kentucky were to prohibit the intro
duction, within its limits, Of any articles Of
trade, the production of the industry of the
inhabitants of the State of Ohio, the Gene
"a Government might, by its authority SUPER
sede the State enactment. But I deny that
the General Government has any authority,
whatever, from the Constitution, to abolish
what is called the Slave trade, or, in other
words, to prohibit the removal Of slaves
from one slave State to another Slave State.
The grant in the Constitution Is of a power
Of regulation. and not prohibition, Il is con.
sentative, not Destructive Regulation er Ui
termini implies the continued existence or
prosecution of the thing regulated. Prohi-
.bition implies total discontinuancco or annihi-
lation. The regulation intended, was design
ed to facilitate and accommodate, not to OBJ
struct and incopmode the commerce to be
regulated. Can it be pretended that under
this power TO regulate commerce among the
States, Congress has the power to prohibit the
transportation of live stock which, in count
less numbers, are daily passing from the
Western and interior states 10 the Southern,
Southwestern, and Atlantic states? The mo-
Elent the incontestible fact is admitted, that
negro slaves are property, the law Of movea-
bio property irresistibly attaches itself to
them, and secures the right Of carrying them
cognized as property, without any hindrance
But, Mr. President win not de.an the Senate Ion
GER the subject Of slavery within the district andn
Florida, and Of the right Of Congress to prohibit
The removal of slaves from one State to ancther
These. 40 have already nmsted with ultra aboli-
the real and ultimate point Of attack Tint point Of
attack 10 the institution Of domestic slavery az il ex
i,ts in these states Il is g l!berate three millions Of
low me, sr to glance At tho insumouhsable obstacles
which lie in :he way Of the accomplishment Of this |
end, and a some Of the consequences which would
The first impediment 10 the utter and absolute want
Of OF power on the part Of the General Government
g eject the purpose The constitution Of the United
parayely few powers, and leaving The resduary mass
Of political power in the possession Of several States
Il i well known that the subject Of slavery ntcrpo
one q me ~ the
adjusted 10 spirit Of harmony and patriotism Ac-
coFding to that compromise, power whatever was
granted 70 the General Governnlent in resect to do
mestic slavery, but that which relates TO taxation and
and the power 70 restore fugitive slaves
70 sheir lawful owners. ALI other power IN regard to
he institution, Of slavery was retained exclusively
We
eording to their respective views Of their own pecu
ias interest. The constitution Of the United States
never could have been formed upon The principle Of
abolish the institution q ITO pleasure. Il never can
b continued for single day Il the exercise Of such
POWER be assumed OF usnrped. nv
shat ther e6ec. e not % stimulate the action 81 the
General Government, but 70 operate upon the States
themselves in which the institutions Of domestic slave
r exists Il that b. their Object. why are these
sOcielea and movements oil confined TO the
syeo States? Why are the slave states wantonly and
cruelty assailedf Why do the atOliton pressesteem
with publications tending 70 excite hatred and ami
asaiss. those ii tie slave states WY i Congress
peeitioned The free states have no more power or
right TO Interfere with institutions in the slave states
han shsy would have 70 nseSers with institutions
ousSt d hs formation j Societies !" e Great Wi Bsai
tIs sending out II lecturers Throughout Tho Iinsao%
iss institutions 81 France Would they 80 regarded
ss p.ocssdp .s,. I. Hy spSd nsiehboshooa O
in the savs states tie issue of violent and intiamna-
tory racte, and tho depusation Of missionaries pour
sssr .he exclusive contr q he Zee states s l.
'actdaie our humanityl And do they expect 70 nc.
compllsa nat purpose by holding us up 70 the scorn
sse saates and the whole civilized world The sla
very which exists amongst us Is our affair not theirs
and they have no more just concern with than they
have with slavery IL exists Throughout the world
Why not leavs Il % "a as the comlnon Constitution
of ena country has left IT, 10 be dealt WITH under The
guild mce OF Providence, 90 best we may or can
The next obstacle in the way Of abolition arises out
f de ce # the presence in the slave States Of three
meas Of dawes. They are there, dispersed hrongh-
out DE land part end parcel OF Our population. They
eFe into the country originally nader the al-
euics and ther importation was continued Ia spite Of
1he renonslsanee of our ancestors. H the question
wepe "a gsieinal question, whether there being no
and med pnrse then into our sociefy, that wo,i he
tosaily deFsnt question Few If any, Of the ciii-
gems Of the United States would he found 20 favor their
intEodgction. No man in il would oppose. upon thas