The North-Carolina standard., 1847-03-03

lthat something in his writings had escaped my at
lfentioh, ana that the gentleman had found Mr.
Madison as potential authority their side
iSir, took the liberty of reading the book myself
4 and the speech aud page referred 10 by the gen
ftleman; and, according to my construction, the
honorable gentleman has entirely mistaken MIR.
| Madison's meaning
/ 1t was upon a-petitlon introduced into the Con.
fgress OF $780, that the question was discussed BY
many gentlemen, and among others by Mr.. Madi-
tson OF the constitutional power of Congress to
terfere with the subject of slavery, but more par
Iticularly what is called and understood as the
3. save-trade," was the subiectmaiter of discussion
Well, it is perfectly we'll known by gentlemen,
that that is a question totally distinct from the
lquestion of our domestic slavery. But here is the
part Of the speech of Mr.. Madison alluded to by
the gentleman from Ohio and the gentleman from
New York. The intelligent reader can place
the proper construction upon it. according to his
own Judgement
Mr.. Madison says: .s..r
The petition prayed in general terms for the
interference of Congress, so far as they were con-
s:ituiionay authorized but even If its prayer was
in some degree Unconstitutional il might be COM
mitted, as was the case on Mr. Churchman's petit
tion, one part of which was supposed to apply for
an unconstitutional interference by the General
Government. He admttedsthat Congress is re-
stricted by The Constitution from taking measures
of.ways by which it could countenance the aboli-
lion, and regulations might be made in relation
the-introduction of them into the States 10 be
formed out of the Western Territory"
| Now, the Constitution, on its face, prohibits
Congress from preventing the importation of
slaves into the States of this Union, " now exist
ing" until 1903. This express provision, deny
ing to Congress the power to prevent the impor-
tation OF slaves until 1908 into the States now in
existence" would seem to indicate that the power
dad exist then at once to prevent importation into
Territories or future St0tes The Constitution
expressly, in distinct terms, refers to the i'm
portations into the States then existing; and this,
| think, was the point Mr.. Madison was talking
about. He referrcdto +" the abolition of the slave
trade" and not the introduction of slaves already
here from one State into the Territories This,
think, is the fair construction of Mr. Madison's
speech.
But, Mr.. Chairman, will not proceed further
with this argument in regard to the Constitution.
l deem ii demonstrabIe, that the sovereignty over
the Territories, the common property Of the Uni
ted States is in the people of the States and that
this Government has no other power over them
but that which is expressly delegated And the
tpower conended for is certainly mol delegated
! And the reader of the Constitution will observe.
that the clause which gives Congress power "to
exercise exclusive legislation in all cases what
soever such District (nnt exceeding ten miles
squarc) as may become the seat OF Government -
is much stronger than the clause which relates TO
other Territories belonging to the Uued States
In the first, to Congress is granted exclusive leg
lslaion;" and yet many of the wis"st statesmen
doubt the power of Congress to interfere with The
subject OF slavery in this District; while nous it is
here boldly contended that Congress derives pow
er to prohibit slave property in the other Terrific
ries from the words, 90 needfiE regulations"
ask, even if the Constitution. does grant us the
power, is it exPedent and just to use it9 Why
! do gcntleme1press this question upon ns2 What
patriotic motive consideration is there that de-
mands in What is there in the crisis which
calls for it2 Whats motive can prompt them
| What object can they accomplish-what good ef.
feet by it2 Do gentlemen tell me slavery is a
SIM Sir, confess my astonshmcnt al avowals
have listened to lately. heard the gentleman
from New ork Mr. Wood1 earnestly denounce
il as contrary to the Word of God, and assert that
"the mantle OF Christianity Could not be thrown
around it," He invoked the aid of Him who
"spake as never man snake," to sustain him in his
position against it: he went to the Word of God,
and almost went as far as gentleman who pre-
cedcd him, who consigned us, 10 the most solemn
manner, not only to degradation while we live.
but to eternal perdition when we die.
Sir, was pained to hear this doctrine avowed
here. 1t forces from me asfew words in vindica.
tion of thepeople of the South and an allusion to
that sacred volume which should never be alluded
to in the most heatcd debate without sofemnity
and reverence. I do not profess to be learned
theologian. / do not claim to be as deeply versed
in scriptural learning as I ought to be- Per-
haps my reading, sir, has been too casual and 10.
attentive for surely, the part that consigns the
Shareholder 10 perdition account of the sinful
ness of slavery has escaped my attention. 1 ask
gentlemen to point out the scriptural demonstration
of slavery. Where, in the Old or New Tesla
ment, do you fad it2 u it denounced at the time
when the white tents of Israel were spread at the
foot of the Mount, and the voice Of Jehovah amid
the thunderings and lightnings of Sinai, gave the
moral law to Moses Does the honorable gen
tieman read in that moral law any warning to
man against this terrible sin of holding slave pro-
perty ? Does he infer it from that commandment
Which proclaims the seventh day as the Sabbath
of the Lordsund saith to man, '' in it thou shalt
not do any work, thy mdn-sercant nor thy maid
sefcdnt? Does he infer it from that other COM
mandment which saith "thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's house, nor his. naan-sercont nor his
sGidserrant, nor anything that as thy neigh.
bor'sp Or is found in the New Testament,
wherethe Apostle breaches thus: haServanis, be
obedent 70 them that are voaF, masters according
to the flesh with fear and tremolIng" Is it found
in the same Apostles admonition to masters 10 act
well their part. " knowing that your Master also
is in Heaven2" Is it found in the EpstIe to
Timothy: Let as many servants as are under
the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor,
that the name ofGod and his doctrine be not bias
phemed p a. ASST - rsssk ss- Z.
Sir. fanatcism fanaticism must yield this point;
intelligent piety has yielded it, phIosopbic Chris
tains have yielded it. Sir, when Moses came to
E~1o T.. -