Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-07-14

sociates and friends in other Suites, qualified
as their expression is, by the acts by which 1t
has been accompanied.
You desire also my views in regard to the
prohibition by Congress, Of slavery 10 terrific.
ries " here il does not now exist, and they shall
be given in few words, and in a manner which
will not, hope, increase, if it does not dlmln-
ish the existing excitement in the public mind.
The illuslrious founders Of our government
were not insensible TO the apparent inconsistent
cy between the perpetualion Of slavery in the
United States, and the principles Of the Reyolu'
ton, as delineated in the Declaration Of lnde-
pendence; and they were too ingenious in their
dispositions Io6rempt &c conceal the impressions
by which they were embarrassed. But they
knew also, that It's speedy abolition in several
Of the States was impossible, and its existence
in all, without fault on the parI Of the present
generation. They were also too upright, and
the fraternal feelings which had carried them
through the struggle for independence were 100
strong TO permit them to deal with such matter
upon any other principles than those Of liberal
ily and justice. The policy they adopted was
TO guarantee to the States in which slavery ex.
listed, an exclusive control over the sub jeci with
in their respective jurisdictions, but TO prevent,
by united efforts, its extension 10 territories Of
the United States, in which il did not in fact ex-
list. On all sides the most expedient means to
carry out this policy were adopted with alacrl-
~ and good feeling. The first step was to in.
terdict the introduction of slavery into the
Northwestern Territory, now covered by the
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
Wisconsin. This may justly be regarded as be-
ing in the main southern measure. The sub
ect was first brought forward in Congress by
Mr.. Jefferson. Virginia made the cession of the
territory upon which the ordinance was intend
ed 10 operate, and the representatives from all
the slaveholding States gave 1t aunanimous sup.
port. Doubts having arisen in the minds Of
some whether the ordinance OF 1887 was author
lied by the articles of Confederation, a bill was
introduced in the new Congress, at its first ses.
sion under the Constitution, recognizing and
adapting it 10 the new organization, and II has
ever since been treated and regarded as a valid
act. The bill received the constitutional appro-
baton Of President Washington, whose highest
and sworn duty il was to supportthe Constitution
under whichitwa enacted. Nor was the North
backward in doing its part to sustain the policy
which has been so wisely adopted. They as
sented to the insertion Of provisions in the Con-
stiluton necessary and sufficient 10 protect that
interest in the States, and they did more.
The trouble apprehended at the commence
ment of the government from this source, began
to show itself as early as the year 1890, in the
form of petitions presented TO Congress upon the
subject Of slavery and the slave trade by the
Quakers Of Philadelphia and New York, ant
by DR.. Franklin, as President of a Society fol-
the promotion Of abolition. These petitions
were, in the House Of Representatives, referred
TO a committee of seven, all but one of whom
were Northern members, whose report as amen
ded in the commiltee of the whole affirmed
"lhat Congress had no power to interfere in the
emancipation of Slaves, or in the treatment oI
them within any Of the States, it remaining with
the several States alone to provide any reguIa.
ton therein which humanity, and true policy
might require"
The perseverance and good faith with which
both branches of the policy thus adopted have
until very recently, been recognized and carried
out, are highly honorable to the whole country
The peculiar liability of the subject TO be con
verted into an element of political agitation, a'
we'll in the slaveholding as in the non.slavehol
ding States, may have led TO occasional attempts
so 10 employ it, but these efforts have been vely
successfully frustrated by the good sense ant
good feeling of the people in every quarter o
the Union. A detailed account of the numer
Gus acts of the Federal Government, sustaining
and carrying into full effect the policy of it
founders upon the subject of slavery in the States
and its extension TO the Territories, and the step
taken in the non .saveholding States 10 suppress
or neutralize undue agitation in regard to il
would be alike instructive and honorable TO tn
actors in them. But twill be readily perceive
that this could not be given within The necessar
, limits of communication like the present.
1t must, therefore, suffice to say, that fror
1887, the date Of the ordinance for the pteven
ton of slavery in the Northwestern territory
down to and including 1888, at least eleven acr
Of Congress have been passed, organizing terri
tories which have since become States, in all c
which the constitutional power of Congress
inerdict the introduction Of slavery into territc
res of the United States, is either drecy exei
cised, or clearly asserted by enactments. which
as matters Of authority, are tantamount to il
exercise; and that at the only period when tn
peace of slaveholding States was supposed to
seriously endangered by abolition agitation, ther
was spontaneous uprising Of the north Of bot
parties, by which agitation was paralyzed; an
the south fe-assured of our fidelity to the CON
promises of the constitution.
J In the laws for the organization of the terrific
+ ries which now constitute the States Of Ohio, In
} diana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa
) slavery was expressly prohibited. The laws fc
} the organization of the territories Of Mississippi
| Orleans, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, containe
, enactments fully equivalent in regard to the eN
. tent of power in Congress over the subject {
slavery in the territories to the express exercis
d Of it in other cases. These acts were approve
by Presidents Washington, the elder Adams
: jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, and my
: self, all bound by Our oaths of office to Withhold
n our respective approvas from laws which we bt
: leved unconstitutional. If in the passage
), these laws during the period of half centur,