The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-26

slaves, to whom, by the same sovereign
authority which you exercise, we ceny
political rights 1 repeat, sir, there ls,or
rather, before the general adoption oil Inc
principle of universal suffrage by the
northern States, there was great force in
This argument. But though forciblc, 1t was
not unanswerable, and among the counter
arguments, bywhich it may be met are these
The legislation of the South deprives the
slaves not only of political rights, but oil all
the personal rights OF humanity. You deny
them the attribute Of personality altogether
You make them not persons but things
j does not, than, lie in your mouths to say,
THAT for the purposes Of government, and
shat, not merely of the States where ihey
reside. but of those where they do not, the
slaves should be treated as entitled 10 poht:
ical rights. On the other hand, our cxclus.
ION of certain persons from the enjoyment oil
political franchises rests on different foun-
dstion. The slave, with you, is essentially
destitute Of the character ola citizen, and
can, neither by his own act. by that oil any
other, nor by the favor Of fortune, acquire
that character. You may enact laws TO re-
Strain the master from manning him, or Ia
king his life; bnt these laws giY him no
rights, for he cannot enforce them, and they
are analogous 10 laws for the prevention oil
cruelty Of brutes. The slave, then, cannot
be recognised by your governments, as any
thing but chattel. because he has, by your
laws, absolutely no relations TO Government.
lie is not member of the body polite
The persons excluded by us are excluded
forlhe want Of certain acquirablo' accidents
The exclusion ofthe slave IS absolute and
perpetual--that of the non-quahed white
is limited and temporary. The slave is for
ever DISTINGUISHED by inner ,nt & iIremove-
able disqnalfcaticns-the right OF the non
qualified white is merely suspended. $3.50
The force of this is reasoning virtu-
ally admitted by many Of the southern
States. which apportion the members OF
their own legislatures. upon the basis of a
representation Of whites only.
Again, then, sir, the only compromise Of
the Constitution, between the North and the
South, is that whereby di5proportouate rep
'rcsentaiion is granted TO the slaveholding
States, land disproportionate taxation assumed
by them.
II is asserted by the South, that this COM
promise is, in its nature, perpetual and sa-
cred; and, moreover, it is insisted that its
Perpetuity i, secured by the Constitution;
and this brings me to the remaining point.
which is what are the guarantees Of that in
strumenrl
! shall first consider whether this consii-
tutional compromise is in in its nature per-
petual, and then examine the Constitution,
10 see whether | eau find there any guaranty
of its perpetuity.
Its rule, both of polite al law and Of
ethics, that in all contracts there must be
consideration; and if both the, contract and
consideration be in their nature continuing,
AMI there be neither words Of perpetuity nor
OF limitation in time, the unforeseen failure
ola consideration, which both parties expec-
tel TO be as durable as the contract itself,
will, in general, absolve the party from the
obligation of the contract. Now, the true
nature of this contract was the admission OF
The principle of a property representation.
When it was entered into, the South was
superior in wealth, estimating the slaves as
property and, of course, so long as slavery
continued, il was thought that the South
would always bear a heavier proportional
share OF taxation. Circumstances, however,
are now changed. The industry and enter
Prise Of the North havs drawn to her a lar
ger share of wealth. The vine of our
has thriven while you have slept; |
and were the principle of the taxation and
on of wealth, which you conteu- |
ded for, and we conceded to you, now fairly
carried out, we should have greatly in |
creased proportion of constant representa-
ton, as well as occasional taxation. The
reasons upon which you were allowed an
advantage in apportionment no longer exist,
and cessdntc rdtionc, cesSat Ell ipSa Ter. The
compromise. then is not in its nature per
petu1l. and therefore the expediency ofre-
vokiug it is lawful matter ofinquiry. and of
course of petition; though, for reasons
which shall give hereafter, its actual revo-
cation. without the free assent of the South,
Is at present. or within any reasonable period
of computation, impossible. Whether you
will give that assent is question for your
selves; but | confess my expectations for so
desirable an event are moi very sanguine.
But it is conteuded, that the pcrpetuity
of The compromise is secured by the terms
of the Constitution, upon fair construc-
ton, and | am now 10 inquire whether that
compact does guaranty that perpetuity.
Most une4uivocally it does not, as this is a
point OF cardinal importance in the argument
i am considering. What are called the
m iclllnations Of abslitiOnists, are aimed at
three objects-the abolition OF slavery in the
District Of Columbia; the suppression OF the
slave trade between the States; and an
amendment ofthe Constitution, which shall
npportion Southern Representation in this
House upon free basis. IT. then, it can be
shown, that the privileges. permanently guar
anteed to the South by the Constitution. are
in no danger from these Vaccinations, then
the argument from necessity falls TO the
ground. Again, then. proceeding with my
argument, is the inequality Of Southern rep
resentatiou permanently secured by the guar
antics of the Constitution For if MOI, then
the attempt to amend the Constitution in
this particular is no Infringement Of South
err rights. The North may lawfully re-
quest a surrender of this Southern privilege.
anl the action of States or parties, with that
view, is no sufficient reason for asking us to
strengthen the South, so that il NAV be able
to resist sech amendment. The only express
guarantees bearing upon the question of slave
nv arc
Art. |. See. Q. That the slave irade should
not be prohibited by Congress before 1905.
Art. ~. Sec. 2. Securing the hight of re-
caption of fugitive slaves.
Art. V. That the restriction upon the pow-
or OF Congress 10 prohibit the slave trade. !
(iirst clause 6fart. I. sec 8; and the pro-
vision for the imposition of taxes ACCORDING
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