Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-08-16
HDeHn19ADa S. GO Aua0sp 49, aa4a>

pnnenls. To them | appeal to adhere II
those principles Of policy which they have
recently and publicly proclaimed. IN The
resolutions of The Democratic Convention
at Baltimore find it solemnIy resolved
as cardinal principle of Democratic
faith, "Thal Congress has no power under
the constitution TO interfere with or control
The domestic institutions Of the several
S,aies."
And again:
"That all efforts of the abolilionists or
others made TO induce Congress TO inter
fere ,Uith questions Of SLAVERY. Or 10 take
incipient steps in relation thereto, are cal
culaled to lead TO the most alarming and
dangerous consequences; and that all
such efforts have an inevitable tendency
10 diminish The happiness of the people,
and eudanger the permanency of The
Union. and ought not 10 be countenanced
by any friend Of our political institutions"
J address myself TO gentlemen some Of
whom participated in The deliberations of
that convention, and united in The affirm.
ance of these resolutons--al of whom
are "frends 10 our political institutions
| appeal 10 them 10 say if this bill which
inhibis slavery in one Of the Territories
of this Union is consistent with that reso-
luton. | ask Them if il is not all Inter.
ference with The question of savery'-if
it i, not al least an "incipienr step in rela
lion thereto;' and then | inquire if, rs
"friends to our political Institutions they
will lend themselves TO measure which
they themselves have recently aud public
Iy declared to he "caIculated 10 lead TO
the most alarming and dangerous co9se-
1uences to "have all inevitable tenders
cy 10 diminish the happiness Of The people
and endaneer the permanency of The
Union ?' However we may diller OIL
other subjects, offer them my ADHESION
to this principle Of Democratic faith, and
pray them to adhere 10 il. With the
privilege which belongs 10 those of com
non faith, warn them asains. an inter-
ference with the question Of slavery, by
taking even an incipent step in relation
10 il.
One other question. and I have done.
You tell US that you will not interfere with
slavery in the States-lhat you will
respect what you denomihate the comPro.
misses Of the constitution, and so long as il
is kept within those limits we may enjoy
il, or suffer under it as we can-that
beyond these i, cannot pass-especially
IIhal i l:canpolzenleEz into The scommon:lsrs5
hereafter 10 appropriate exclusively 10
yourselves. You tell US that slavery is an
outrage upoA human rights--a violation o.!
The laws Of Coda leprosy which must
be excluded from The camp---and tha
unless we quietly submit TO these terms,
The Uniun is nol worth preserving: Now.
propose to you question, and pay
YOU to answer me. As men, Us honorable
men, do you believe that Ibis is the spirit
10 which Ihe constitution was formed II,
in The convention which framed it, your
fathers had addressed this language 10
ours, DO you believe that This Union would
ever have existed Do you not believe
that the men OF the South would have
indignantly rejected proposal so degrad.
inc TO them as men, aud as freemcn ? Ii
they had tanely submitted TO 50 arrogant
demand, would your patriot slres have
deemed them fiji associates for freemen? !?
Would thoy no, rather have united their
political destines with the slave. Than with
his master--with The uulutored Africans,
rather than with The craven wretches who
held them in bondage, without The spirit
TO assert their own rights against their
equals I?