The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-18
CoMMUNICATIoNs
Thoughm ON Emmncip.sIsn--No. 10.

A great deal has been said in reference
to the abolition Of slavery in the district of
Columbia. Some have earnestly contend
ed that Congress has no power 10 act on
the subject. Some consider it debateable
question. Others think that Congress has
jurisdiction in the premises, but that il is
not expedient to exercise it. And others
still believe in the existence of the power
and the expediency of its exercise. The
last view will be advocated in this Article.
First, The existence Of the power Here
there must of course be an appeal to the
Constitution OF the United States; for the
powers of Congress are conferred by this
instrument. What then says the Constitu.
ton ? 1t explicitly states that Congress
shall have power 'to exercise exclusive leg
islation, in all cases whatsoever, over such
district not exceeding ten miles square, as
may, by cesSion Of particular States and
the acceptance by Congress, become the
seat Of the government of the United
States" &c Virginia and Maryland ceded
the district Of Columbia, and the seat of
the National Government was selected by
the Father Of his country, and very appro-
prately bears his name. Over this district
Congress is $40 exercise exclusive legisla-
ton" &c. The trainers Of that Cons,itu.
ton in adopting this clause no doubt re-
membered that the Continental Congress,
at the close OF the Revolution, had to leave
Philadelphia and adjourn to Princeton 'to
escape from the violence OF some insolent
mutineers.' They saw the necessity of
giving Congress exclusive jurisdiction over
the place at which It's meetings were to be
held. The power $50 exercise exclusive
legislation" was given. This Of itself
would settle the question, but TO put the
matter beyond the reach Of cavil it is added,
"in all cases ichdtSoeUer.' IL the power
''to exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever" does not include the right
to abolish slavery in the district of Colum-
bia, one would be tempted to adopt the
sentiment of TslieyTand--that "language
was given to man to conceal, not 10 express
his thoughts 1t is argued and correctly
too, that, so far as the States are concerned,
slavery is under their jurisdiction And is
there man from Maine to Texas who will
deny that Congress has not as much authority
in the district as any State Legislature has
within the sphere of its operation ! The
authority is greater. Every Stae Govern
ment has to admit the supremacy OF the
General Government. If, then. the States
in which slavery exists may abolish it,
(and no one doubts this) surely Congress
may abolish il in the District. But it is
said that if Virginia and Maryland had
supposed that slavery would b, abolished
in the District, they would never have ceded
it to the General Government. If this be
true, what does it amount to? Absolutely
nothing The cession has been made
The two States have relinquished the au-
thority over the district which they once
had. and have now no more control over il
than Ohio or Kentucky. 1t belongs to
Congress, and it is as clear as the sun in
the heavens that Congress, having authority
'to exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever" has the power to abolish
slavery in it.
But let us refer to the expeiiency Of the
exercise of this power. Wee it exercised,
the influence resulting from the abolition oil
slavery in the District, would be felt in every
portion of the country. Some in the South
wosld doubtless feel a temporary eXaspera-
ton, and talk about dissolving the Union;
but the general effect Of the measure would
be salutary The slave States would see
before their eyes an example worthy OF their
imitation. The moral power emanatlng
from that example would be intellectually
great. Every State would feel it, and the
American Congress would be saved from
the modification and the glazing inconsst-
ency Of legislating on the subject of liber-
ty, while breathing an atmosphere contami-
mated with slavery. No longer would the
buying and selling Of slaves be carried on
almost under the shadow Of the National
Capitol. Surely the city called after Wash
ington should be free. Surely the Repre-
sentatives Of free people should tread
free soil.
A SOUTHERN KENrucKIAN.