The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-24
will roll from our continents. Iike waves across

the Caribbean sea.
10 relation TO the class of the petitions that
asks Tor the rejection of any territory that
may apply TO become a member Of the con-
federacy, and which will not submit to per-
petuai interdict against slavery, they also
ought not TO be received. Congress has no
power to impose such terms. Slavery in the
States, at the time Of the formation Of the
constitution, was exclusively a subject OF do
mestic regulation, and there it was left by our
wise fathers. The powers Of Congress are
restricted to such general matters as apper-
tam 10 our relations with foreign countries, the
concerns of the States with each other, and
with the General Government. The only in
reference with their internal affairs allowed
to the Federal Government, is to prescribe to
each State republican form of government
in the sense in which the term was understood
when It was adopted by the States. Suppose
such restriction to be imposed on Florida,
and for the purpose of coming into the Union
Peaceaby. she was to submit to it, which she
never would; and afterwards, her people in
convention, established slavery within her
!, limits. The General Government would
have no power to reverse this fundamental
law of Florida |; and if il was competent for
thS Spu'to Va tuo OIltttu otdtGS 10 pronounce u
judgment declaring il unconstitutional and in
operative, no power that the Executive could
command, would be able 10 execute the man
date and il would ne brutem fulmeh.
The authority of Congress to prohibit
traffic in slaves from one State TO another, is
point Of much more doubt and difficulty
Congress has power to regulate commerce
among the several States. This power is as
ample and complete in relation to their COM
merce, as it is over the commerce Of the u
States, with foreign nations it is vested by
the same language, and is different only in its
adaptation to the subject and to the means of its
execution. Under this power, it is certain,
Congress could not prohibit the mere trans
portation Of slaves from one State to another;
and when these slaves had become part of
the general property of the State to which they
were carried, the Supreme Court has decided
the principle, that law Of Congress inter
dieting this traffic would cease to operate over
them. This merger OF the ownership Of the
removed slaves, would be so speedily effected,
that coneding the power to exist, it would
be totally Inefficient for any practical purpose.
1t may, however, be well doubted, whether
this power would authorize an inhibition Of
the transit Of persons from one State TO an
other, even though they should be carried as
slaves for the purposes Of traffic. But the
character of both the last, as well as the first
class of petitions, is such as to make il duty
and patriotism in this House to reject them.
IfNorlhern men, many them doubtless for
sinister purposes, will persist in agitating this
subject, the owners Of slaves will look with dread
apprehension to the time when majority of
ct Of
dered upon this subject by the contending am
bition of political parties, but united against
them and their constitutional rights of pro-
perty. The wild and lawless spirit engen-
dered by combination of fanalicism, hypo-
crsy, ambition, vain love of Distinction and
hate infiamed by mutual elimination, if
powerful enough, would not hesitate to tram
pie under foot justice and constitution in the
preparation OF its enormities. The minority
would have but one resource TO prevent
hydra headed tyranny from despoiling them
of their property, and that would be the ex-
IRENE, the indestructible right of resistance
and revolution.
Now, after struggle of years in the
House. it is not the time to Weld one lot to
this aggressive spirit; but it is duty and po-
icy both to meet it with manly, uncowerng
spirit, and eject it from here at once and for
ever Reasoning men never attempt what
they know to be impossible, or persist long
after il is demonstrated to be so. Let these
agators be but thoroughly convinced that
Congress cannot, will not, dare not, entertain
their destructive projects, or receive their In
cendiarv petitions, and they would never again
attempt with them to disturb and excite this
BODY Nav they would soon cease their
operations altogether, because it is through
Congress only that they can reach and act
upon and agiate the slaveholdng States.
Place them In position that they can never
be known 10, or heard by the Shareholder,
and their zeal will soon die out-they will
have no sufficient motives to continue the
discussion among themselves. But receive
and refer their petitions, and what will such
course effect for disqualification and secu-
rity We have once had that reference and
report The lolliest and most sagacious
statesman Of the day, who is as much opposed
to slavery in the abstract as the best OF the
abolionis,s, and who proved his devotion to
the cause of emanci patton long before it had
demeuted or corrupted them, has also rea-
soned with them upon this subject. Time,
nor talent, nor human scrutiny" can add any
thing to the force of what he has said, or alb
slract any thing from its truth and effect.
And how has all this operated upon them
They daily pour out upon his name their i'm
potent revilings, and seem TO be progressing
apace in the blind rage of their zeal.
Give them a hearing now, and they will de-
mand it at every session as their right. Each
inch of ground that the slave holding States
or Congress yields to the abotionists, will be
Immediately occupied by their trenches, and
L Ah1,,r EArhnr