The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-23

to them, by both the FcderalC constitution
and the constitutions of their respective
States. The right of Congress to cxer-
else exclusive legislation in all eases
whatever, does not mean omnipotent
Legislation. Congress have no right, in
the District of Columbia, to take away
the right of trial bysjury j. 20 pass an er
post facto law ; to- abriige the freedom. of
speech or of the press; to establish reli-
gion by law, nor to destroy the rights of
property, or the personal liberty of the
citizen, These reserved riylie ls rs ~
'ceed ii lie Dlsufct OF UoIu 70 In q,
S'atc q, New York. They haye the
same right 10 consider the abolition of
slavery in New York n grieysnce, and u
petition CONGRESS- to establish II tlero, rs
Tie citizens Of New York have 10 cen
slider it a grievance in the District, and
petition Congress to aboliskait Their
right IN either case to assemble peaceably
and make their petition, do not call in
question; but the obligation on my part
to present it to the Senate, do not admit.
If a number of citizens should consid-
er republican government grievance,
and petition Congress to establish a mon
archy if others should consider religions
liberation grievance, and petition Con-
gress to destroy heresy by abolishing all
sects but their own, | should not consider
it my duty to present theirp petitions to the
Senate, nor do consider it my duty to
present aSpetition, the certain tendency Of
which is to destroy the harmony and
eventually to break assunder the bonds Of
our Union.
In regard to new States the case is, if
possible, still stronger. They must be
united upon terms of equality. Each
State having reserved the right Of rcgah-
ting this subject for ITSELF no one can be
constitutionally deprived Of the right.
The State of New York has abolished
slavery, but this abolition is t'the con-
DIXON upon which she holds her place in
the Confederacy. 1t is her own policy
and il it shall be her pleasure TO change
it, Congress cannot interfere. So, if the
new States arc admitted into the Union,
when admitted, they will stand upon an
all. .-..--,.i VI --I--- 'rhay may
establish O.. abolish slavery at their pleas
ure, and neither Congress, nor any other
of the States will have any more righi to
interfere with the subject, than with the'l
laws of pyimogeniture in the British en-
pire. The object of the petition does not
affect the abstract question of slavery, that
is subject which the Abolition,sts Of the
free States can no more affect than they
IAN that Of the privileges of the British
nobility. The plain question is this
shall we continue united, confederated
republic, or shall we dissolve the Union?
If the prayer of this and similar petitions
should be granted by majority of Con-
gress, the inevitable effect would be an
destruction of the Confederacy,
and with il, those bonds of affection
which have united us as one great, one
harmonious family. 1t has been my
grief to observe recklessness on the part
of some, whom l otherwise highly esteem,
an utter disregard Of alftbe consc-
quences which must result from the per-
pStual agitation Of this subject. We have
an interest at stake too dear to be COM
prorpited for phantom which we can
never gain, however enthusiastically we
may pursue it. As free, a powerful,
and happy ,nation, we-siand unrivalled
N the annals of the world -
Turning the eye alternately to every
regh' of our country, tits greeted WITH
INC sfnisss OF happiness, amid the scores |
81 hoeftyAsd peace, and plenty, AND yea.
IMAGINATION h-quenly pauses upon as
Localities when rsSrinds US of the pie NJ
which these blcssnis. we're gaineJ. Do 7
we compare our cupditis,, win n (. d; adj
Joining colcAiesg We las lebeck
anu there Montgomery fen. wa re-
Wn TO view the beautiful ,8wn or, or
and axe our and on Bake Bllk-a.
WlreD dled. Ns<foss the delightful
fields of Counectieu,--there Wocsterlpicd I
We contlnue our observation ihroulh the |
J Jersey tiu " -r,rt p-oce,on- fkpvt-
Mercer perlshed. Even from the Capitol
in which we arc assembled We css; + K ! |
70 NE s5uih, aR4 1ag htiga,a q NaEaea !
rcaHd gs thai the mighty Washington
s,.mbers there, who forsook those peace
ful shades iar tbe tolls, the dangers, and
the Priyatie .. he saneaias iisia, whore