Democratic banner., 1849-07-16

WIFI IeleT6uCc W TIC SlISGhISIu"NS0 y
which they were surrounded, and endeav-
ored to adjust that subject in such man
ner as to produce the least evil and the
greatest good. It gave rise 20 a considera-
BILE Inconvenience and difficulty in forming
the compact of Union. Ultimately, how
ever, by mutual concession and compro-
mise between the States, the whole difficult
ty was adjusted 10 their satisfaction on the
basis of the constitution as it nov exists
The Union was thus created, as an agent
for special purposes, and its powers are
necessarily limited and confined to the grant
made by the States.
Now, it will be observed, that this con-
sf,tution Of uniOn, to which the North and
South have pledged their faith and staked
Their honor, clearly and unequarOcaW recog-
Misses and sustdins the institution Of sLarery.
know this position has frequently been de-
MED, but nevertheless, I hazard nothing in
making the assertion. Look at the %consti-
tuition, and you will there find that | am sus-
tanned beyond all doubt. Three ffths OF
the slaves are represented in Congress and
by the same rule the ~apportionment of d.
rect taxes is required to be made. Slaves
are liable to be taxed to raise revenue for
the support of the General Government and
Iboro HOO t.aoj ,,-J.. Al .- F r..
gress passed in pursuance Of the constitu-
ton and were authorized to be sold by the
Marshall and bid in for the government Of
the United Stcfes. See Sd Vol. Laws u. S
pages l64-l74. This would appear to me
as sufficient to sustain my declaration 70,
surely the Government would not have g
rightto sell or purchase a free mar in order
to enforce the collection of tax.
Again, by the constitution, fugitive slaves
escaping into non-slaveholding States, are
required to be given up to their masters
This provision is designed to give to own,
ers Of slaves greater security in that kind
of property. 1t was designed for that pur.
pose and certainly will and does have thai
effect, SO far as if may b. carried out il
good faith. Now, every one knows, tina,
the value of all property depends in a great
degree upon the security and certainty viii
which it may be held and the constitution
by the provision under consideration, civ.
ing as it does additional securities for it.
safety, thereby imparts to all slave property
an INCREASED AND ENHANCED VALUE which
it did not before possess. This is not only
a clear recognition of slavery, but it is also
a protection and guaranty to it. Nor is thi.
all, under this same proposition, hundred:
of slaves have been reclaimed, and are now
happy inthe service of their masters; who
would have been freed from their servitude,
had it not been for the existence of the con.
stitution of the United States. They have
been apprehended and held, under, and BY
virtue of that constitution, and are now
slaves in consequence of its provisions.
believe they, as a class, are in a better con,
dition than those who have been aided tc
escape in direct conflict with the constitu.
ton (which all good men will support;) but
| mention the fact, that slaves are held I'm.
der the constitution, merely for the purpose
of making good the declaration before
stated.
But notwithstanding these facts and many
others which might be adduced in confir.
nation of the same point; and notwithstand.
ing the paIpable nature and character of oul
confederated Union, formed by equal indie.
pendent sovereign States for their mutua'
benefit and protection, still, the fact is un'
deniable that from one section of the Union
incessant applications have been made tc
Congress to induce that body, by direct
and indirect Legislation, to encroach upon
the rights of the South, and to depreciate
the value of her slave property. Petitions
are presented praying the abolition of sla.
very in the District of Columbia-other.
praying the prohibition of the slave trade