The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-04-24
ally break asuAder .hs bonds Of our

uslly break ssuAdsr che bonds Of our
Union.
In regard to the new States, tho case
.la. II possible still stronger. The%,
must pc united upon terms Of equality.
Each State having reserved the right
OF regulating this subject for ITSELF no
one can be coustitulionalIy deprived Of
the right The State ofNew York has
abolished slavery; but this abolition is
not the condition which she holds her
place in the Conlederacy. 1t is her
own policy; and If it shall be her pleas
ure TO change it, Congress ca mot inter.
fere. So, If new States are admitted IN
to the Union, when admitted. they will
stand upon equality with New York.
They may establish or abolis slavery
at their pleasure, and neither Congress,
nor any other State, will have any more
right TO interfere with the subject, than
with the laws Of primogeniture in the
Briiish empire. The object of the petit
ton does not affect the abstract question
Of slavery; that it is subject which the
Abolitionists Of the free States can no
more affect than they Can that Of the
privileges Of the British nobility. The
plain question is this: shal! we contin>
ue united cOnfederated Republic, or
shall we dissolve the Union2 If the
prayer Of this and similar petitions
should be granted by a majority of Con-
gress, the inevitable effect would be an
immediate destruction Of the Confeder-
acy; and, With it, those bonds of afiec.
tion that have united US as one great,
one harmonious family. 1t has been my
grief to observe a recklessness on the
part Of some, whom | otherwise highly
esteem, showing an utter disregard Of
all the consequences which must result
from the perpetual agitation Of this cub
ject. We have an interest at stake too
dear to be compromised for a phantom
which we can never gain, however en-
Enthusiastically we may pursue il. Az a
free, a powerful, and happy nation.
we stand unrivalled 10 the annals oi the
world.
Turning the eye alternately to every
region Of our country, it 10 greeted with
the smIles o. happiness, amid the scenes
OF liberty, and peace, and plenty; and
yet imagination frequently pauses upon
the localities which remind us Of the
price at which these blessings were
gained. Do we compare our condition
with adjoining coloniee1 We look
to Quebec, aud there Montgomery fell.
We return to view The beautiful town Of
Boston and take our stand on Bunker
Hill-there Warren died. We cross the
delightful fields of Connecticut-there
Wooster bIed. We continue our OBJ
servation through the Jerseys, till we
reach Pripceton-there Mercer perish.
ed.
Even from the Capitol 10 which we
are assembled, we cast !, ok TO the
South, and the heights of Vernon re-
mind US that the mighty Washington
slumbers there, who forsook those peace
fnl shades for the tolls, the dangers, and
tho privstions Of the sangune field,
where with thousands Of others equally
brave and patriotic, the enemies Of our
rights were defeated. II is at the price
Of their blood that we, in common with
your fair petitioners now enjoy these
blessings. When these rights were a.
gain threatened. Regarded it my duty.
N humble imitation ofihose apostles &
martyrs Of liberty, to offer my life upon
the alter Of my country, to confirm TO
you ano 10 them 10 the permanent en-
Of those blessings. A merc,-
fll Providence protected me, and find
a twofold rscompense in the preserva-
lion of our, institutions.
With these views, ! cannot reconcile
1 to my sense Of duty 10 present the
petition. shall enter into no discus
sion on the principle Of slavery, as thi.
's not involved in the subject. can
view'it in no other light than that Of an
Interference with the constitutional rightt
Of others, and in such way as tendi
TO the destruction of the rich inheritance
purchased by the blood and toll Of th'
fathers of the Revolution. Another cir
cums,ance exists aside from what
have noticed above, which would make
me reluctant TO present this petition ii
comes from ladies', ordained by nature
and by the customs of all civilized ma
lions, to occupy a higher place in so.
cieiy than that Of petitioners 10 legis
lative body.
| If courtesy could induce me, on uu
Iject that could not become matter o
injurious notoriety, to present petitio
from females, yet i should regard it pure
ly 40 matter Of courtesy, and not @
constitutional right. The rights ofwO
men are secure through the coarser se
their fathers, their husbands, and thei
brothers: 1t is the right Of women +
1 l.. Al L..