Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-12-07
CtiDRCH AND sTATE-PoLITlcAL ADOLF,
TON

O&4gO SI2 AMI SADOANA~
TON.
ID August last national convention OF abnlitonists
met at Buffalo to nominate, and did actually nopi-
mnlp. strictly in conformity with church and state
nlHciples, candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dsntof the United States; at which time they pub.
hshed the following manifesto:
Wherea, the constitution Of the United States is
series vt agreements, covenants contracts between
the peope of the United States, each with all and all
wHh.each: and whereas 1t is principle of universal
mbeAity that the moral laws OF the Creator para
Ml0ttHs TO all human laws IN the language OF the
Anstle, that we ought nbev God rather than men:
Ard whereas the third clause Of the second secIlm
81 ne fourth asticie of the Constitution of the Uned
zaies when construed as providing tor the surrender
ola fugitive slave does upon such basis IN that
Ets contract to rob man OF natural right, name
W MS right to his own liberty, and is therefore ahso-
Resolved, that we give it to he distinctly under
stood bv this nation and the world that as abolition
iss considering that the strength OF our cause lies
It's righteousness, anA our hope tor IN c"stOrm-
~ the laws OF God and our respect for the rights
of man, owe it to the sovereign Ruler of the Uni
verse proof of our allegiance to him in al our
civil relations and nfres, whether private cIiZens
nr public functinnaries, to support the Con
atituon Of the United States, regard and to treat
ishe third clause Of the fourth article of that ns'ru
q ment, whenever applied the case OF fugitive
slave, utterly null and void, and consequently as
forming no part of the Constitution of the United
Estates whenever we are called upon or sworn to
support it.
M 1t would seem from the foregoing manifesto that
the abolitionists, in national convention, have pub
cly declared their intentions to violate that portion
of the const tuition which seems not to compor with
II iheir views of right and wrong For similar reasons
another portion of it is nulli6ed by Souh Carolina.
nnd recently several of the States in the choice of
members Of Congress, have nuified that portion Of
he constitution which authorizes Congress to regu-
late the manner in which members of that body shall
be Nhosen. In this way short time will trampie the
whole OF this valuable Instrument into the dust
10 the abol!'ionists would, in friendly manner,
say, pause and reflect bef,re you commit deeds wor
thy of stripes You have already resolved TO violate
NJ section of the constitution, and before you can
accomplish your purposes you have also to violate
M another portion OF that instrument to wit. the tenth
article Of the amendment of the constitution, where
~ the pnwers not delegated to The United States by the
N constitution prob to it by the States, are re-
served to the States respectively to the people.
The right Of petition is a sacred right; but why
should son ask favor of his fa,her which he has
no jurisdiction over and continue to Insult him by
peatedly in pIdrng him. The fact is Congress has
no more jurisdiction that which is reserved to
the States than they have tie common affairs Of
Europe, and abolitionsts might with just much pro-
priety insult the Queen and Parliament of England
with their abolition petitions to trouble Congress
with them. But conscience has something to do with
this l would enquire Of the alb 'lition ST what my
conscience has to do with the acts of men that have
no control ar Jurisd ti"n further than if think
them wrong to en1t avor to persuade them right?
The consequences tn such as I'D in bondage the i
fellow men are tremendous: but why >hould New.
England stir up fire which will result in no good
but consequently rvct the chains of the slave tighter
and tighter, MS it has already done, and also to burn
own fingers. We have alrendy >ufi red inca'cu
lably in consequence # an uniriend!y feeling which
exists between the southern planter andnorlhern alb
olitionst. The conduct Of the aholiriorists in our
State elections md oher" ise has sut in putt ne
the power into thu hands of tie slave holding states
to annex to their sreng the terrtory of'Texas snE
fhcienty large and fertile to support n p ,pula ion e.
quail to the whole popu a ion of the empire Of Aus
tria tlaI Coz science n'hh no r. 10 with III S. us
adding Strength to the Il holder? Aran: if tn,
abaitionstS determined 10 pursue this sn irct hy
petition, let them carry hem 10 the right m rkct-go
and petition Virginia, Georgia, Carolina, and not shy
fu them yoa set Of nlanstea ers and .obber>
but speak % them in Il iendy Chris inn.hke man
ner, and say to them You are unfortunately placed
IN this rclntve condition master and slave by your
ancestors; we have no blame 10 attach to y,u for
being thus unfortunate; what have to i'm
pre Of you is that yu ss"Ive tits yoke o! bondage
and thus confer an everlis ing blessing upon your
selves and future generations and God will bless
you in your basket and your st'.e'
One thing more: The pc pc of New England are
all abolltions' SO far regards their own conduct.
They nave abolished savery, and this is all they can
do without violating solemn treaty entered INTO be-
tween the States. What more they do? Would
You have them petition Congvoss to vivla'e the Con.
sttuon
Slavery is a mon=irons evil; but it has Il remedy
within Itself Let it alone. The increase Of black
population that Of white is very q eat, and the
increase of intellect consequent upon the amaga
nation OF white with black will shortly place the
slave beyond the control Of their masters But of
that day and hour let all concerned shudder; for
come it will. and when it does come. j. will come as
a thiefin the night. A NeD Eng land Farmer.