Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-16

North as mlsfortune-as domestic and political evil
which had been enaed the colonies by the unjust an
unnatural policy Of Great Britain towards them. This wa
of the complaints against the Crown, alleged by Mr. Je
ferson in his original dausht of the Declaration Of Indepen
dence When the Union was formed slavery existed in
era oil the Northern States, as well as in all the Southern
and il then supposed that would gradually become
tnc population increased and free labor should come
competition with slave labor II this ground that MI
Ellsworth, OF Connecticut expressed his indifference
to giving Congress the power to phb the importation
slaves he said slavery would gradually disappear popu
aon increased and free labor became cheaper Slavery bein
then regarded an evil and of temporary nature there wa
no question in the Convention in respect the balance
power between the States where slavery existed and where
did not The only question Of power that Of representa-
ton, which compromised by adopting the thee-ffth
principle Apart Of this compromise was, that taxation
to depend on the principle representation; but,
we have had but two direct taxes, and shall probably
have another the slave States got the representation for hei
slaves and the free States lost the expected equivalent for
in direct taxation.
When slavery came be regarded as valuable and per
manent institution the policy Of the South was changed ir
respect to it. II then became settled purpose strengthen
and extend as much possible spirit Of jealousy sprung
up, which, in assuming TO assert and maintain the rights
slavery became nsoen daring and aggressive upon the free
States The fact that slavery exists in violation Of naura
rights, and essentially exclusive and arsocratc interest
rendered IDS supporters jealous and suspicious always vgan
active, and scheming uphold and extend it. This is the
case with all exclusive and monopoly interests which
ntrgues and management by keeping united themselves and
dividing the free States they have succeeded in holding the
Federal Government almost exclusively in their hands, and
have not failed to avail themselves of all the advantages this
gave them to uphold and extend the interest of slavery The
first conflict which this change the policy of the South pro-
duced the admission Of Missouri That was settled
by the compromise of prohibiting slavery north Of $50 80 north
latitude in the remaining part Of the territory Down TO ths
period the action OF the Government had been uniform and
wholly restrictive upon slavery in which policy the South
a0ft
the very year the Constitution framed excluding slavery
from the territory northwest of the Ohio dividing into five
States, supported by the South well the North 1t
had been coded by Virginia and had her policy been then
what appears to be now, she would of have made
condition of the grant that slavery should not be excluded
The first draught OF the ordinance in 1884, by Mr. Jefferson
applied to all the territories those south well as those north
OF the Ohio IN 1893 the Mississippi Territory orga
nzed slavery then existing there yet the law restrictive
upon II and prohibited the introduction of slaves except by
bona de for actual settlement In 1904 the Orleans
Territory organized from part of louisiana and had
the same restriction, with another nhibng the Importation
OF slaves from foreign countries, which four years adj
of the period fixed by the constitution when Congress
was authorized to prohibit the importation Of slaves into the
States In 1905 law passed making penal offence
for any citizen Of the United States be engaged in the slave
trade from one foreign country to another Two years AFTER
and year before the time fixed in the constitution the i'm
portaon of slaves into any Of the States prohibited by
penalties to take effect in 1908. Subsequently the
slave trade declared to be piracy and punished as SUCH
Most OF these laws, originating in enlightened policy and so
honorable 10 humanity, passed during the administration
OF Mr. Jefferson. The modern doctrines of the blessings Of
slavery and modern schemes for extension were then un
known at the South Many of the Southern statesmen took
the lead in these enlightened measures How great the
change How different the doctrines of the South at this
day Since the Missouri compromise the efforts Of the South
have been unceasng to strengthen and extend the slave int
rest One object has been 10 get msory Of slave States
SO as 10 give them complete ascendency in the Senate
And whilst steadily pursuing their object the free States have
been natenve to their designs and instead Of opposing them
have co-opetated in furthenng their purposes.
The scheme OF the annexation of Texas bold one
and most adoy carried through The proposition of Texas
for annexation than once declined during the adj
minsraon Of Mr. Van Buren, inconsistent with our rea
tons with Mexico But in s43 with STAKEHOLDER for
President and Secretary Of State revived but the main
and noveto the weight of the slave
carefully kept out Of sight The first attempt to accom-
psh by treaty failed When the measure depended on It's
merits il received scarcely onethd OF the votes Of the
Senate and hardly any from the free States Recourse
then had to usual expedent Of the Southhat of connect
ing local questions and sectional interests with party politics.
and bringing them into the elections Hence great efforts
made by the Southern politicians make the
Of Texas Of the Democratic party. II was made
in the selection of Presidential candidate 10 s44 And
notwithstanding this measure having connection with party
principles had served TO defeat the Northern candidate in
the Convention of that year. the friends Of Mr.. Van Buren,
unwise enough TO adopt the and carry into
the election and by the success Of the candidates il
claimed that the question Of annexation had been decided by
the people, Under the excitement consequent on the cleo
ton, il attempted to bury the through Con.
gres although there strong doubts whether the const
tuition admitted Of that Of proceeding II the people
had decided the question Of annexation they had not decided
respect the form. They bad decided that the whole
Of the territory Of Texas should be given up slavery. But
The pressed with zeal that admitted Of no de-
ny, scarcely Of delbeaon If did not act immed
ately il said, Texas would throw herself into the en-
braces Of England Theanguage was now or never there
could be delay, notifications of the very Objectionable
resolutions which had been introduced into the House There
could I've compromise Of the question Of slavery although
Two Senators from slave States (Mr. BESToS Of Missouri
and Mr. HArwooD, Of North Carona) had proposed TO divide
The territory in this respect Senators from the free States
had proposed the had myself offered resolution ou
hat basis Bur there could be compromise in respect To-
Texas slave country. The Missouri compromise
line, which finally acnted TO- amounted to nothing as
very little Of the country north Of that line belonged Texas
The whole influence Of the incoming administration was
brought to bear the question. Still, there were four FIVE
Democratic Senators who not prepared TO vote for the
House resolution and without every Of their the bill
could pass Something be done TO secure their
myse one of the number Well, resolution had been
introduced by Mr. BESToS providing for eectng the object
by negotiation, both with Texas and Mexco the propositions
which might be agreed upon to be submitted either Con-
gress to the Senate for approval The Sensors referred
10 prepared TO support Mr.. BExroNs hill as indie
pendent proposon but TO add il the House resolution
might amount to nothing il did not qualify that but was
proposition complete ITSELF In this state Of tie case TO
ensure the passage OF the resolution Of the House, representa-
lions made the Senators referred to- said 10 come from
source to entte them % the utmost confidence that Mr.
BESToSs bill was added to the House resolution by way Of
and the resolution passed in that form, the
sue would be accomplished according the Senates amend
nent Ia this way, my vote and others secured