The Delaware abolitionist. (Wilmington, Del.) 1847-18??, 1848-12-31

the very operation of it was 10 give certain |
privileges TO men who were SO wicked as 10 |
keep slaves; p TO which Mr. Hamilton REPLIED |
that " without this indulgence no union could |
possibly have been formed. But consider |
ing those peculiar advantages which we de-
rived from them, 1.-THE Southern States, it is
entirely just that they should be gratified.-
The Southern States possess certain staples,
tobacco, rice, indigo, &c., which must be CAPT.
tal objects in treaties of commerce with foreign
nations; and the advantage will be felt
an all the States.
In the Pennsylvania Convention, Mr.. Will
son considered that the constitution laid the
foundation for abolishng Slavery out of this
country" though the period was more distant
than he could wish Yet "the New States
will be under the control of Congress in
this particular, and slavery will never be intro
duced amongst them )" "yet the lapse of
few years, and congress will have power TO ex-
terminate slavery from within cur borders"
In the Virginia convention Gov. Randolph
regarded the slave trade as " infamous" and
"detestable.n Slavery was one of our vul-
nerabe points. Are we not weakened by the
population of those whom we hold in sIaverym
he asked. Col. Mason thought the slave trade
diabocal in itself and disgraceful 10 man.
kind" He would not admit the Southern
States Georgia and the Carolinas into the
Union unless they agreed to the discontinue
ance of this disgracefnl tradeo Mr. Tyler
thought "nothlng could Justify it." Patrick
Henry, who commended for Slavery, confessed
Savery.is detested, we ieel its fatal effects
we deplore it with all the pity of humanity"
" Il would rejoice my very soul that every one
Of my fellow beings was emancipaed p
Said Mr.. Johnson, " Slavery has been The foun-
dation Of that impiety and dissipation which
have been so much disseminated among our
countrymen. If it were totally abolished it
would do much good.n
Ia The North Carolina Convention II was
found necessary 10 apologize for the pro-save-
ny character OF the Constitution Mr.. Iredell
in defence said, the matter of Slavery " was
regulated with much difficulty and by spirit
of concession which it would not be prudent
to disturb TOR a good many yearsn alt is
probable that all the members reprobated this
'inhuman tIaffic in slavesl, but those of South
Carolina and Georgia would not consent 10 all
immediate Prohibition of i.p "Were il prae-
,ioubo 20, ,snI tho irnpnrtaiion of
slaves Immediately, it wolld give him the
greatest pleasure" "When The entire aboli-
lion OF Slavery takes place it will be an levent
which must be pleasing 10 every generous
mind and every friend of human naure."-
MIR. Mcdowell looked upon The slave trade
las a very Objectionable part OF the system.''
Mr.. Goudy did not wish "to be represented
with negroes"
In the South Carolina Convention Gen. Pinck.
Iiey admitted that the Carolinas and Georgia
were so weak that they ".could not form a
union strong enough for the purpose Of effec-
tually protecting each other - il was theft
L ...sl.
the L ,slern States who are strong y the East.
ern States had been line greatest sufferers ia
the Revolution, they had &C lost everything but
their country and their freedom !" we," the
Caronas and Georgia, " should let them, in
some measure, parake Of our prosperily."-
But the union could come only from compro
mise; we have secured an unlimited i'm
portation of negroes for twenty years." awe
have obtained right 10 recover our slaves IL
whatever part OF America they shall take
refuge, which is right we had not before" y
awe have made the best terms Tor the secu
rity of this species of property it was in GU
power to make; we would have made bette
if we could, but on the whole do not thinl
them bad" No one in South Carolina, i
seems, thought Slavery an Evil.
Thus the Constitution was assented TO a
n 1.-THE result of accommodation" though con
tanning clauses confessedly founded on IN
just principles" The North had been false Il
Its avowed convictions, and in return highe
tonnage duties were imposed on foreign thar
on American bottoms" and goods imported il
\ American vessels paid ten per cent. less dui.
than the same goods brought in those owned
by foreigners" The Navigation laws" AM
the "Tobacco' wrought after their kind
South Carolina and Georgia had their way
The North, said Gouverneur Morris, in tn
national Convention for the G sacrifice of eve
ry principle Of right, of every impulse of hu
mainly" had this compensation, Ito bin
themselves 10 march their militia for the de
fence of the Southern States, for their defenc,
against those very slaves Of whom they com
plain. They must supply vessels and seame
in case of foreign attack. The legislature wi
have indefinite power TO tax them by excise
and duties on imports"
. Still, with many there fingered vague be
lief that Slavery would soon perish In tn
! first Congress Mr.. jackson, of Georgia, admit
| ted that " il was an evil habit.n Mr.. Gerr
and Mr.. Madison both thought that Congress
| had "ihe right to regulate this buslness,n an
eff they see proper, TO make a proposal |
purchase all the slaves" But the most oil
xyionu tinoa for anIox he ;,st;t,t;on bod ,,as,