New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-08


rect taxation and with no other motives to stimu'
late them than their own local interests, are nt'
ting commentary on the error OF that departure
from the policy Of JoHS QUINCY ADAMS. II otner
comment were necessary, it would be found IN inc
fac. that States have revised and amended their
Constitutions, so as to abridge the power OF 'nen
Legislatures TO prosecute the benencent enter.
pri,es which the Federal Government has deVo'e'
nnon them. The Smithsonian Institute at the sea'
Of Government founded by the liberaity oil Oo''
nopolite is that same university so earnestly rec
commended by ADAMS for the increase ana uinu
sion of knowledge among men. The exploration
of the Globe for purposes Of Geographicai ana ro
litical Knowledge, which has so recently oeen
made under the authority Of the Union ana Win
such noble results, was an enterprise conceiveu
and suggested by the same Statesman. The Ma
ton.l observatory at the Capital which s piercing
the regions nearest to the throne Of the Eternal
Author ofthe Universe, is an emanation oil the same
comprehensive wisdom.
Such was the administration OF JOHN QUlSCf
ADAMS. Surely it exhibits enough done Tor duty
and for fame-f the ancient philosopher 'aid truy'
that the duty Of Statesman was to make the CHI
zens happy to make them firm In power ncn IN
wealth, splendid in glory, and eminent In virtue,
and that sch achievements were the greatest ana
best of all works among men.
But the measure Of duty was not yet fulfilled
The Republic thought il no longer had need oil the
service of ADAMS, and he bowed to its command.
Two wears elapsed and 10 the Prizes. was seen
again beside the deserted Altar, and brighter
purer. and more lasting fame arose out OF the ex'
tinguished embers.
ale looked In yesrs. But in his years were seen
A youthful ylgor, an sutumnal green
The Republic had been extended and consoiidat'
ed; but Human Slavery, which had been incorPo-
rated in il was extended and consolidated also,
and was spreading so as to impair the strength oil
the great fabric on which the hopes OF the nations
were suspended. Slavery therefore must be re-
strained aud without violence or injustice must Dc
abolished. The dithcult task OF removing It hsd
been postponed by the Statesmen OF the hsVolu'
ton, and had been delayed and forgotten oy tneir
.pccs.eors There were now resolute hearts
and willing hands to undertake it, but who was
strong enough and bold enough to lead Who
had patience 20 pear win chsue'io-
leaped its mark, and with intolerance that defeat
ed its own generous purposes Slave holders hao
nower.nay, the national power; and strange 10
saw, they had it with the nations consensand sym
patby. Who was bold enough to provoke them
and bring the execration of the nation down upon
hi, own head Who would do this, even when
wben Abolitionists themselves, rendered implaca-
~, OF hnsa continents OF
tce and moderation, without which the most hu'
name cause depending on a change OF public opih'
ion cannot be conducted safely to prosperous END
were ready to betray their own champion INTO tne
hands of the avenger2 That leader was iound IN
the person Of joins QUINCY ADAMS. he TOOK Dis
seat in the House Of Representatives in 1891 with
out assumption or ostentation. AbolItlonists psceo
in his hand petitions for the suppression oil slavery
in the District of Columbia the seat OF the Federal
authorities. He offered them the House oil lie
representatives. and they were rejected with con
tumey and scorn. Suddenly the alarm went iortp
that the aged and venerable servant was retaiat
log upon his country by instigating sefyiie war
that such a war must be avoided, even at the cos
of sacrificing the freedom OF Petition and the free
not consent 10 make that sacrifice, then the Unlor
should be dissolved This alarm had its desired
effect. The House OF Representatives in 1897
adopted rule OF discipline, equivalent to an act
ordaining that petition relating to Slavery
nearly or remotely, should be read, debated or con
sidered. The Senate adopted like edict. Tn
state authorities approved. Slavery was not les
strongly entrenched behind the bulwark OF prece
dents in the courts OF law, than in the fixed habit
Of thought and action among the people. The pee
pie even 10 the free States denounced the discu'
sion of Slavery, and suppressed 1t by unlawiH
force JoHv QUINCY ADAMS stood unmoved ami
the storm He knew that the only danger incider
TO political reform, was the danger OF delaying
too long. The French Revolution had made tn
an axiom Of pdaical science II, indeed the OIL
cassion Of slavery was SO hazardous as was pr
tended. it had been deferred too long already. Tn
advocates Of Slavery had committed fatal erro
They had abolished freedom of Speech, and FIRE
dom Of Petition to save an obnoxious institution
As soon as the panic should subside, the poop
would demand the restoration Of those precioV
rights, and would scrutnize with fearless fdelit
the cause for which they had been suppressed
He offered petition after petition, each holder ar
more importunate than the last. He debate
; questions, Kindred to those which were forbidde
with the frmness and fervor Of his noble natur
For age
> Had DOT quenched the open truth
= And fery vehemence OF youth.
r Soon he gained upon his adversaries Distri
8 after district sent champions to his side. States
considered and resolved in his behalf. He saw Il
i tide was turning, and then struck one bold blo'
l. not now for Freedom OF Petition and of Debate, b
stroke of bold and retaiating warfare. He offers
l. a resolution declaring that the following amen
# menu of the Constitution Of the United States
l. submitted to the People of the several States
n their adoption
From and after the fourth cay Of July 1872. there sh
be- .hrouehou the Unised States No HEHEprAsY SLAv
ny but and Ger that day every child born within q
United States shall be FREE.
With the exception OF the TerrltSry Of Florida the
shall henceforth be admitted into this Union,
STATE the Constitution Of which shall tolerate within {
!, same the existence Of SLAVERY
Q In lsi5, the obnoxious Rule Of the House
Q Representatives was rescnded. The Freedom
Debate and of Petition was restored, and the unr
d strained and irrepressbe Discussion Of Slavery
the Press and Political Parties began. For q
l. rest the work Of Emancipation abides the actic