The Madisonian., 1840-01-11

Cidi flg1si Viidt uut tne eAtfeHity OF wedh-
ness and folly could induce any one 70 think
that such propositions as these could be listen
ed to by people so intelligent as those Of the
Southern states Further: The emancpa-
tors generally declare that il is their intention
to effect their object (allhough their acts con-
tradict the assertion,) by no other means than
by convincing the shareholders that the imme-
late emancipation Of the slaves is called for,
10Th by moral obligation and sound policy
n unfiedged youth, al the moment OF his
'aying (indeed in many instances before he
as ,eit ~ his Theological Seminary, under
tkes to gives lectures upon morals to the
ountrymen OF Wythe, Tucker, Pendleton
nd Lowndes, and lessons Of political wisdom
, states, whose affairs have so recently been
irccted by Jefferson and Madison, Macon
nd Crawford Is it possible that instances
{ greater vanity and presumption could be
Inhibited
But the course pursued by the emancipators
unconstitutional. | do not say that there
re any words in the Constitution which for
ID the discussions they are engaged in; |
now that there are not. And there is even
a article which secures TO the citizens the
ght TO express their opinions without restric-
on But III the construction of the Constl-
Mon II is always necessary to refer TO the
circumstances under which it was framed,
nd to ascertain lis meaning by comparison
{ It's provisions with each other, and with the
revious situation OF the several States who
!ere parties TO IL. In portion of these,
avery was recognized, and they took care
have the right secured to them to follow
nd reclaim such of them as were fugitves
other States The laws of Congress pass
under this power, have provided punish
lent To any VIII shall oppose or interrupt the
xercise Of this right. Now, can any one
elieve that the instrument which contains
revision of this kind, which authorizes a
laster to pursue his slave into another State,
Ike him back, and provides punishment for
ny citizen or citizens of that State who
hould oppose him, should at the same time
ithorlze the latter 10 assemble together, pass
solutions and adopt addresses, not only to
ncourage the slaves 10 leave their masters,
at to cut their throats before they do so |
sist that the citizens Of the mons slave hold
,g states can avail themselves Of the article
the Constitution which prohibits the restric-
on OF speech or the press to publish any
ing injurious TO the rights OF the slave hold
ig States, that they can go to the extreme
ai have mentioned, and effect any thing
irher which writing or speaking could effect.
'ut, fellow citizens, these are not the princi-
les Of the Constitution. Such constitution
: you'd defeat one of the great objects Of its
,rma,ion, which was that OF securing the
eace and harmony of the States which were
artes to it. The liberty of speech and Of
ne press were given as the most ellectual
,eans 10 preserve to each and every citizen
laIr iubt and IN III h., ha ~ oh
which appertained 10 them, at the time of their
doption. II could never have been expected
lat ii would be used by the citizens Of one
oron of the States for the purpose Of de-
irving those Of another portion of the rights
which they had reserved at the adoption of
the Constitution, and in the exercise of which
one but themselves have any concern or in
crest.
II slavery is an evil, (and no one more rea-
lily acknowledges it than | do,) the evil is
With them. II there is guilt in it, the guilt is
theirs, not ours, since neither the States
where II does not exist, nor the government
the United States can, without ilsurpation
power, and the violation Of solemn COM
'act, do any thing to romove it without the
onscnl OF those who are Immediately nte-
ested With that consent there is not man
the whole world who would more willingly
contribute his aid to accomplish it than
would. II my vote could effect it. every sur
plus dollar in the Treasury should be appro-
priated to that object. But they will neither
ask for aid nor consent to be aided as long as
the illegal, prosecuting and dangerous move
ments are in progress, of which complain
the interests of all concerned requires that
these should be stopped Immediately This
can only be done by the force of public opin-
ion, and that cannot too soon be brought into
operation. Every movement which is made
by the Aboliioniss in the non-slaveholding
States, is viewed by our Southern brethren as
an attack upon their rights, and which, if per-
sisted in, must in the end, eradicate those
feelings of attachment and affection between
the citizens Of all the States which was pro-
duced>by community Of interest and dangers
in the war of the Revolution, which was the
foundation Of our happy Union, and by con-
tinuance of which it can alone DO preserved.
| entreat YOU, then fellow citizens, TO frown
upon the measures which are to produce re-
suits so much to be deprecated The opin-
ions which have now given, have omitted
no opportunity for the last two years to lay
before the people OF my own State. have
taken the liberty TO express them here, know
ing that even if they should unfortunately not
accord with yours, that they would be kindly
received. The truth is, that the expression
Of them AT this time was occasoned by cir
cumstance which occurred on my journey
hither Within the bounds of this State, a
manuscript was shown to me, written with
the purest intentions, and supporting with an
eloquence seldom surpassed, the most errone-
GUS and dangerous principles in regard to this