Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-13
DOMESTIC.
ffror, the Giobe.)

nate, and correspondence between MIR Cuthbert ant
MIR. Webster, the porten,ous question of the power
of Congress stop the sale Of slaves between the States
under the commercial clause in The Constitutions ane
which, according to the doctrine would stop the
sale of all property, all merchandise, all articles what
ever between the States. Mr. Cuhbcrl made the call on
Mr. Webster in consequence OF beng twice invited &c
do so by Mr. WebsteI's friends IN the Senate. The
answer of MIR. Webster will lie First, nine day,
without an answer Secondly, (and when the messen
was directed to wait to the letter dcvercd) an eva
sve reply TO the time not being proper, &c, and ar
adjournment indefinitely with vague and irrelevant re
fercnces, Mr. Cuh5ert very properly, under these
circumstances gives the correspondence TO the public
and with it, extracts from debate in the Senate ir
1887, which than sustans all that he alleged or
the floor of the Senate and also extracts from the
port and resolutions Of the Massachusetts Legislature
Of 1887, founded upon MIR, Websters argument g
1872 favor of the power of Congress TO stop the sale
Of slaves between the States.
We deem this Of the most important publica
tons which the times have brought 10 light, and II
common with all the friends of the Union must make
thanks 10 MIR. Cuhbert for his agency in bringing
it forward 1t derives an immense interest at present
from the position of Mr. Webser-occupyng new
and indefinite post in our Government, like that Of
PRIME MISIsTER in England and promul eating what
he peases for law under the new practice oil ssu
ing mandates in the name of the President, @ghfd Oy
himself alone From all that see Mr. W. IS the
head Of the Government ording IL over all The other
Secretaries all officers civil, military, and naval, and
holding in his hand the fate of every person employed
by the Government dozen 10 the day odorers! The
opinions of such man, in such post, become exceed
ingly important, and must now be attended to. This
opinion against the sale of slaves between States,
given during the Missouri controversy in lo9-repeat-
ed and avowed in the Senate in lS31-quoted and re-
lied upon by the Massachusetts, Legislature in 1856
now evaded by him, and denied BY his compurgators-
will command universal attention, especially IN con-
junction with the Massachusetts report and resolves,
which we mean TO publish.
Mr.. Cutbert, during his season OF good heal'h, was
one Of the most talented and vigorous OF our public
men. We hope his health will permit hun TO resume
his former energy IN debate
In the latter part of the last session Of Congress,
Mr. Cuthbert, from his place in the Senate pledged
himself to produce document which would prove
conclusively That in a report made by committee,
appointed at meeting held in Boston, on the subject Of
slavery, it had been declared that Congress possesses
indispuable authority under the Constitution OF the
United States to prohibit the sale of slaves from one
State to another, commonly called the slave trade be-
tween the States that Mr. Webster, now. Secretary of
State, was a member of the committee making this re-
port and the first named and therefore to be considered
as its chairman. Mr. Cuthbert stated that the docu-
ment to be produced by him would prove farther that
in the year 1885, the Legislature OF massachusetts,
declaring the doctrine that Congress, under the
Constitution of the United States, possesses indspu
table authority to prohibit the sales OF slaves from one
State to another-dd cite support of that doctrine,
the report which has been referred quoting the rea
sonng of the report, and appealing To the names OF
MIR. Webster and the other members of the committee.
few days before the close Of the session, Mr. Cuth-
bert offered TO the Senate the annexed extract from
report to the Legislature Of Massachusetts the sub
ject of slavery, the genuineness of which has not
been, as it cannot be, disputed
The Stare Trade Lctcecn the States
ssThe argument is briefly and clearly stated in me-
mortal pared and presented TO Congress- the pro-
hibiiion of slavery in the States, 1872 in be.
half of the citizens Of Boston The of the COM
,nittee borne upon the memorial are DANIEL WEBSTER
Geo Blake, Josiah Quincy, James T. 4ustin, and John
Gaiison.
1.-THE Constitution declares, say they, ''that the mi
grafton importation Of such persons as any OF the
States now existing, shall think proper to admit, shall
not be prohibited the Congress prior to the year SOo
1t is most manifest that the Constitution does contem
plate the very terms OF this clause, that Congress
possesses the authority to prohibit the migration or I'M
portaon Of slaves; for il limits the exercise oil thus au
thority for specified period Of time, leaving it to its
full operation afterwards And this power seems
necessarily included in the authority which belong to
Congress- to regulate commerce with foreign nations
and among the sererat States. No person has ever
doubted that the prohibition of the foreign slave trade
was completely within the authority Of Congress since
the wear 1908 And why; Certainly only because i,
is embraced the regulation OF foreign commerce. ane
if may for like reason be prohibited, since that pc
ROD betaceen the States Commerce IN slaves, since
the wear 1902 being much the subject OF regulation
ms any other commerce. it should fit TO enact tina
no slave should be sold from one State to another
it perceived how the right to make
such provision can be questioned
Resolres relating to The Stare trade oe'ceen me States
April 90, 1888.
Rcsolred, That Congress has by the Constitution
power TO abolish the traffic in slaves between diteren
States of the Union.
Resolred That the exercise of this power is demand
ed by the principles of humanity and justice.
ReSolUed, That his Excellency the Governor be re
ouested to forward copy Of these resolves each
our Senators and Representatives in Congress"
Mr. Cuthbert said it must be evident to all, tina
when the Massachusetts Legislature in the year 1888
in solemn proceeding, promulgated the principle tina
Congress is invested with power by the Constitution
of the u S. to prohibit the slave trade between thu
States and cited in its support Mr. Webster srecordet
opinons-Nr Webster neither contradicting, retract
ing, explaining, but suffering the false and injurious
Interpretation of the Constitution to go TO The world sus
tanned by the full weight of his authorrty must be cyl
dent to ALL he said that Mr. Webster must be consider
ed as rearming this period Of 1883, and republlsh
ing the doctrine formerly advanced by him, viz tina
Congress has ndisputabe authority, under the Consti
tuition, to prohibit che selling OF slaves from one STATE
to another.
Mr. Websters advocates aege, that in thu fall o
1910. during the Presidential canvass, he made deca
ratons against the power OF Congress TO interfere Will
slavery in the States which manifest change OF OPP
MON in him on these subjects These declarations o
Mr. Webster were general, whilst the misInterpretn
rious 10 the Southern States, to which Mr.. Webste
has given currency by his authority, is specific; en-
courages the attack of the Aboltlonsts IN the ver
point where they assail the rights OF the South VIII
the greatest ardo and confidence and lays the founda
tion for the first in the series of measures ny wnic
they hope effect their final purpose. The retrachon
then, should be spec6c and all must feel how muci
more powerful such retracton must be, to remedy th
mischief of the erroneous opinion, than any genera
declarations. 1t is demanded by every principle o
justice-every sentiment of honor. The States con
cerned entitled TO it, The operation of general de
clarations on particular opinion, is easily evaded.
To show how little faith is 10 be placed genera
declarations on this subject In debate which tool
place in the Senate, in 1887, the subject of Adolf
ton, Mr. Cuthbert charged on MIR. Webster the memo
rial and ;ts doctrines What is most material in the
debate consequent this charge, is here annexed.
(From Gales s.atons Regis, @ Debates col rr 7l5)
Mr. CUTHBERT proceeded to refer TO certain Isso
lutons which had been adopted in Boston, in lol9, II
which that gentleman had been concerned; one o
which declared that Congress had authority to act OF