Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-02-05

declare
have taught them, and which has been declared by /
Virpinia's immortal Marshall in words Of burning
cloaucncc. The opinions of Mr.. Jefferson on the
subject Of slavery were often and freely express
sed. He expressed much anxiety for its abolition
n, different periods Of his life. will quote here
two passo ges from his notes on Virginia
.U,d.r the m i'd ,,ea,ment our a yes experience snd
though food, this bot 10 country
FMS, faster than the whites During the re-
gal Government had al time obtained a law winch
posed duty the oration of slaves as am"un-
nearly prohibitions when ineonsidfate Assem-
bly,, placed under peculiarly Of circumstances repealed
the law Ihls repeal joyful sanction from tho then
SogsIeign,and u" devices no exPe"i'" ~i'e ever
after attempted subsequent Assemblies, andhey SCI
without attempting them, could succeed IN get
ting the al assent TO renewal oi Inc hn'y III 'e very
hrst session held under the Republican Government the
ssemby passed law for the perpetual prohibition nf the
importation Of Ihs viii ~ some measure stop the
Of this great political and moral evil, we the
citizens DC fipenng for complete eian
e:pation Of human nature
..indeed. ,embe for my country v reflect that
God u. that his justice cannot sleep forever; thnt con-
sderng numbers, nature and natural means only, feSo
luton OF the wheel Of fof,unc an exchange OF stuaons
among possible that may become probable by ST.
penatual Interference The Almighty mas no attribute
which take sides with in such contest Bot II -
impossible to be temperate and 10 pursue this SUBJECT f"
Of policy o! morus OF history
civil We be contented 10 hope they VIII
their into every ones mind think change
already origin Of the present revolu
ton Tho spirit the is aba,ins; TINT Of The
slave rising the dut-his condition molifying. the
way hope under the auspices Of Heaven, for
and that this disposed IN the one OF
with the of tho MASTER rather Than by
their sxtirpaton"
But, Mr.. Chairman, although the citizens of the
free States may entertain these opinions IN re-
gard to this institution, thoy ready and fully
resolved to stand by tho compromises of the Con-
sttution. They hold firmly and stcadfastly TO
tho conditions Of the national compact. They
are prepared to defond the South in tho enjoy
men, Of all her rights, and if tho day Of trial
should come they arc willing to do it at the OK
pense of their treasure and their blood. No at
tempt has been mode to disturb tho compromise
agreed upon. The froo States have n largo ma
lority upon this floor, and yet attempts have
been made to encroach upon the rights of tho
Southern States. Thoro may be individuals IN
the free States who have transconded the Just Inn
its Of n free discussion upon this question; but
shall the people of those States be held response
bio for their opinions
It is an old remark, that extremes often meet,
and it appears to me that it is fully verified by
those who arc ultra in their views upon both sides
of this question. The extreme slavery men OF
tho South and the extreme anti slavery men OF
tho North meet upon tho ground OF a desire. to
disturb tho compromises of tho Constitution. Up
on one sido the aid Of the Government IS invoked
for the Immediate and forciblo abolition of slavery
while upon the other side it is asked TO interposc
for the purpose of extending and strengthening it.
Mother content to leave it in the position in
which il is placed by the Constitution. But, sir,
the great body of the people Of the FREQ States
occupy the true conservative ground. Their doc
rino is TO let the Constitution stand as 1t is, and
lot there be interference with the balance II has
established. They will resist any attempt to OK
tond or perpctuate slavery, to increase tho roll
ntive political power of those who have an immo
dlate interest III it. If tho influence of the slave
States is diminishing, it is ono of the inevitable
consequences of their position. Whom tho balance
between these two sections of tic country was
settled BY tho Constitution each agreed to take its
chance for an increase of lis strength from rs
own resources; and if one section now finds It.
self growing weaker, it has right TO demand
concessions from tho otlIcr for the purpose of add
ing to its strength, much less has 1t the right t.
call in tho aid of foreign Government to increase
its power and secure its ascendency. NO suci
thing was asked for, such thing was cOntein
plated, when the compact was entered into. IT.
true that, since the adoption of the Constitution
wo ha g at two different times made accessiohs t'
our territory. In both those instances the acqul
siton was urged by Southern men, was made by
Southern administrations and It's oftcct was t
extend and strengthen Southern interests. Lou
siana was acquired undor tho administration o
Mr.. Jefferson, and Florida under that Of Mr.
Monroe both Virginia Presidents. From the ter
ritory thus acquired three slave States have bcei
formed and admitted into the Union. and are nov
reprcsented in both branches of ConGrcss-Lou
isiana, Arkansas, and Missouri +; while not a sin
gle FREQ State has boon added from territory nc
Ouired since the adoption of the Constitution. 10
wa, 1t IS truc,a part OF tno tcrFi.orA seo
is now asking admission as free State, but, t
countcrbalancc her power. Florida is knocking a
our doors with her institution of slavery, and II L
even proposed to divide her territory. and form
two slave States from 1t.
| rocrct, Mr.. Chairman, that the debate upoi
this question should have assumed any thing of
sectional character; but sir, il Is not from thos
who oppose annexation that this character ha
been given 10 the discussion. Tho measure ha
been pressed and urged by its advocates on sec
tional grounds The gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Yancey,) no, satisfied with commencing III
South, and urging annexation as a measure ca
cula,ed to promote tho interests OF that section
in tho fury of his eoquencc. has arraiSnod tn
people of the North us wanting in patrio:ism.-