The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-08-18
In. Men Of she Decentralization View.
Of Iavery,

threatening attitude assumed by South Car
olina and Georgia, ia the Convention O
1881, for forming the United States Con
sutution, that the slave trade was tolerated
for twenty years, from The adoption OF the
constitution until the year 1905. We car
hardly bring ourselves TO credit the record
Of The facts, that traffic which is now de-
clsred 10 be piracy by the laws of the Uni
led States, and punishable with death, (chap.
llS. sec. 4, 1920, Laws u. Sd was en-.
grated on the Constitution of the United
States, the charter Of our liberties, and con-
unued 10 delace it for twenty years. Thus
toleraling, by constitutional provision, a
traffic which, in the original draft Of the
Declaration Of independence, was denoun-
ced as "piIatcal war against human ma
ture itself, violating its most sacred rights
of lie and liberty" in the persons Of dis
Isnl and unOfending people, and done $40
keep open market where NEE should be
bought and sold.
This denunciation against the King OF
Great Britain, was erased from the long
catalogue Of grievances contained in the
Declaration Of independence, by the Con.
gress OF 1716, not from any love of the
hing, but from disposition TO compromise
and yield to the slave interest. Many Of
those who were in the Congress Of 1776,
were also in the Convention. Aud il ia al.
most incredible, that those able patriots,
who refused TO compromise their own free
dom, and stood out boldly on the platform
Of Liberty or Death, should be ready to
make cOncess ons in regard TO the sacred
rights Of life and liberty, Of distant and
unOfending people" snd to give constl-
IutiOnsl endorsement Of the slave trade for
twenty years. And TINS too, after full
discussion, and exposition Of this execrable
commerce.
Luther Martin, the Attorney General Of
Maryland, although from slave State, de-
clared in the Convention, that il "was in
consistent with the principles of the Revo-
luton, and dlshOnOTable 10 the American
character. 70 have such feature in the Con-
sliIuuon.'
Gen. Pinkney, Of South Carolina, de-
clsred that if he and his colleagues were to
sign the Constitution prohibiting the slave
trade, il would not secure the consent Of
their constituents. "South Carolina and
Georgia cannot do without slaves"
Mr.. Rulledge said, if the Convention
thinks these States Twill ever agree to the
plan, unless their right TO import slaves be
untouched, the expectation is vain
CoI. Mason, an uncompromising friend
OF freedom fun Virginia, sa.u, "llls inter-
nal traffic originated in the avaGice Of Brit
ISL merchants. The British Government
constantly checked the attempts of Virgins
TO put a stop to it. The present question
concerns, not the importing States alone,
but the whole Union. Maryland and Vir-
ginia, he said, rad already prohibited the
importation Of slaves expressly. North
Carolina had done the same in substance.
All this would be in vain, if South Carroll
ma and Georgia be at liberty to import
The western people are already calling out
for slaves for their new lands; and will fill
that country with slaves, if they can be got
through South Carolina and Georgia. Sla-
very discoursges arts and manufactures
The poor despise labor when performed by
slaves. They prevent the emigration OF
whites, who really enrich and strengthen a
country. They produce the most pernicious
effect on manners. Every master Of slaves
is born petty tyrant They bring the
Judgment Of heaven on a country. As ma
tons cannot be rewarded or punished in the
next world, they must be in this. By an
inevitable chain Of causes and effects, Prov.
idence Furnishes national sins by national
cslamities. He lamented that some Of our
eastern brethren had, from lust Of gain,
embarked In this nefarious traffic. As to
the States being in the possession of the
night to import, this was the case with many
other rights, now to be properly gwen up.
de held it essential in every point of view,
that the general government should have
power to prevent the increase OF slavery"
"Mr. Dickinson considered it as mad
mlssole, on every principle Of honor and
safety, that the importation Of slaves should
be authorised to the States by the Constitu-
uon. The true question was, whether the
national happiness would be promoted OF
lmPeded by the importation; and this ques-
uon ought TO be left to the national govern
ment, not to the States particularly interes-
Ted. de could not believe that the south
srn States would refuse to confederate on
the account apPrehended. Madison pa
pert, vol. 3, p. 1902.
The section under discussion declared
that mo tax or duty should be laid on the
migration or importation Of such persons as
the several States shall think proper to ad-
NIT nor shall such migration or importa.
ton be prohibited"
The section was finally referred to com.
mlttee, and the matter was compromised by
allowing the "infemal traffic" 10 continue
ior twenty years.
There is a remark in the speech Of Col.
Mason, which shows the great importance
Of adopting tie ordinance Of 1877, at the
ums II was done. He ssys-"the western
people are already calling out for slaves for
melr new lands and will fill that country
WIN slaves, il they can be got through South
carolina and Georgia"
The ordinance prohibiting slavery in the
territory northwest of the Ohio, passed Con.
eIess on the 18th July, 1887. whilst the
convention for framing a Constitution for
Ine United States was in session. Ii the
oOctrIne Of non-intervention had prevailed
Ia the Congress OF 1887, the calls of the
western people for slaves to improve their
new lands, would have been responded to
from S0nfh Carol;-. - Il