Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-07-03

pelinvasions," and 10 impose upon the
United Stales the duty Of "protecling each
Of them against. INVASION and "agains,
domestic violence" was under considera-
lion, Northern delegates again protested
against the importation of slaves. Mr..
King,of Massachusetts,, said. "lhe object
OF tho general system is defence against
foreign inyasion,-. and defence against in
ternal seditiou;' and Objected to The i'm
pGrlation of slaves, as increasing the dan
ger of sediiion in one part Of the United
States, which another; was bound TO de-
fend. Mr.. Gouverneur Morris said (:
"They 1.-THE Northern States) are to Bind
themselves to march their militia. for the
defence oftbe SoDthern States, for their
defence against these very slaves against
whom they complain Tho Southern
States Isaid hej are not to be restrained
from importing fresh supplies of wretched
Africans, al once to increase the danger Of
attack and difficulties of defence. Nay,
they are 10 be encouraged to it, hy the as.
surance Of having their votes in the ma.
,ional legisla,ure.inc in proportion"
These, sir, are The provisions of The Con-
slitution which embrace the powers grant
ed by the States to the Federal Govern
ment-their organ and instrument in re-
;laion,o the subject Of slavery. Their.
character and objects are defnedin the
discussions which they underwent by the
authors of the Constitution; and they de.
monslraie that Congress has no otherj,I-
risdiclion over slavery, than the mere
ministerial anL qualified power of aiding
The States in enforcing The absolute rights
ofIhe master.
But, sir. slaves hello under the laws of
the several States. at the adoption of the
Constitution, are not only recognized as
property by The Constitution, but the right
to import natives Of Africa, 10 be held as
properly. is secured to The States until The
year 1908, on The single condilior That
tax not exceeding ten dollars each might
he imposed on them; the Norlhern and
Eastern States thus assening 10 the traffic,
and actually participating in its eInolu-
ments.
These are the compuc,s between The
Northern and Eastern and the Southern
States; and The obligations aud duties Of
the former to protect and guaranty the
property efihe latter in slaves. They be-
come the compacts and obligations Of any
new State, as conditions Of admission into
the Union. Sr',y,a
Equal representation il, Tie Senate, and
the right Of majority in Congress to
enact laws regulating commerce aud nav
igaton, are the specific equivalents which
were rendered by the South for these sip-
ulalions in relation to slaves. In note
ID The debates in The Convention, Mr..
Madison says, an understanding took place
between the North and Souh on The SUBJ
jecls Of navigation and slavery, and thus
is explained he votes Of The Eastern States
on all the provisions contected with the
Ialtct.
lf, sir, this Government were not the
mere agency of the STATES. exercising no
other powers than those that have been
delegated for specified objects and pprpo-
ses aud therefore limited in lis action, it
sill would be bound, by all the sacred OBJ
legations that treaties impose upon nations,
TO abstain from any act that impairs the
title or value Of that property which it has
so distinctly and amply guaranteed to the
South. deeply regret TO say that these
guarantees oil the Constitution have been
shamcfully violated by States that have
enjoyed largely The advantages of the COM
promises on which they are founded. The
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts has pro-
ceeded to The utmost verge of State SOW
ereignty, to prevent the recovery Of a ft.
gitive slave within her limits. by in,erpo-
sing the shield Of hor laws for his. .protec-
ton. Similar statutes have been enacred
in the States of New York, Pennsylvania
and Vermont. Encouraged by The secl.
rity OF such legislation, an immense mum.
ber Of slaves has fed to the non-sIavehold-
ing States; and in no solitary instance
has one been restored TO bis master. Such
inducements TO escape have rendered.
slaves comparatively of little value to CO.
terminous States; and must eventually
render them utterly worthless, Ii is no,
disguised that individuals habitually in
s,igate and aid them TO flee from their
owners, in violation OF the laws ofythe
slaveholdibs States aud when these fell
ohs have been demanded Under the terms
of the Constitution, as recently has been
done of the alihotilies of New York, Mas
sachuse,ts and Maine, the demand, iu ev-
cry instance, has been refused; and the
refusal ofthe requisition has been put on
the Insulting pretence that their lows do
not recognise the fright Of one man to
hold property in his fellow man." and
therefore slave cannot be the subject of
larceny, even in States where slavery e1-
listed.
But, sir. the danger which menaces the
domestic institutions ofthe South is not
confined within the limits Of the uon-
slavebolding States. A band of organ
lied and wfeckless incsndiaries, embof-
dened BY such legislation, and intrenchinS
themselves behind public opinion in those
States. has proclaimed crusade against
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