The North-Carolina standard., 1849-02-14
THE ADDRESS



We, whose names are hereunto annexed, address
YOU in discharge of what we believe to be a solemn
duty on the most important subject ever presented
for your consideration. We allude to the conflict
between the two great sections of the Union grow.
ing out of difference of feeling and opinion in refer
ence to the relation existing between the two races
the European and African, which inhabit the southern
section, and the acts of aggression and encroachmen
4 to which it has led.
The conflict commenced not long after the acknowl
edgment of our independence, and has gradually in
creased until it has arTayed the great body of the
North against the South on this most vital subject
In the progress of this conflict, aggression has fol-
lowed aggression, and encroachment encroachment.
1 until they have reached point when a regard for
your peace and safety will not permit US to remain
longer silent The object of this address is to give
rOl clear correct, but brief account of the whole
series of aggression and encroachments your rights
with statement of the dangers to which they expose
you Our object in making it is not to excite
ment but to put you in full possession of all the
facts and circumstances necessary to full and just
conception of deep seated disease, which threatens
great danger to you and the whole body polite. We
act the impression, that in popular government
like ours, true conception of the actual character
and of disease is indispensable to eecting
cure ..-l.
We have made it joint address, because we be-
ieve that the magnitude of the subject required that
should assume the most impressive and solemn FORM
Not to 90 further back, the difference of opinion
and feeling in reference the relation between the
two races disclosed itself in the convention that franz
ed the constitution, and constituted of the greatest
difficulties in forming it. After many efforts, it
overcome by compromise, which provided, In the
first place, that representatives and direct taxes shall
be apportioned among the States according to their
respective numbers; and that, in ascertaining the
number of each, FIVE slaves shall be estimated as
three In the next that slaves escaping into States
where slavery does not exist shall not be discharged
from servitude but shall be delivered up claim of
the party whom their labor service is due. In
the third place. that Congress shall not prohibit the
Importation of slavery before the year 1908; but
not exceeding ten dollars may be imposed on each
imported. And finally, that no capitation or direct
shall be laid but in proportonto federal numbers;
and that no amendment of the constitution, prior
1903, shall affect this provision that relating to
the importation of slaves.
So satisfactory were these provisions that the sec
ond relative to the delivering up Of fugitive slaves
was adopted unanimously, and all the rest, except
the third, relative to the importation of slaves until
1903, with almost equal unanimity They recognise
the existence of slavery, and make specific provis-
ion for its protection where it supposed to be
the most exposed. They go further and incorporate
it. as an important element determining the relative
weight of the several States in the government of
the Union, and the respective burden they should
bear in laying capitation and direct taxes. was
well understood at the time, that, without them the
constitution would not have been adopted by the
southern States, and of course, that they constituted
elements essential to the system that 1t never would
have existed without them. The northern States,
knowing all this, ratified the constitution, thereby
pledgng their faith, in the most solemn manner,
sacredy to observe them. How that faith has been
kept and that pledge redeemed shall next proceed
to show.
With few exceptions of great importance, the
South had no cause to complain prior to the year
1873 year, it is to be feared, destined to mark
train of events, bringing with them many, and great,
and fatal disasters, the country and its institutions
With it commenced the agitatlng debate on the ques-
iiOn of the admission of Missouri into the Union.
Ill. l~,,f a. uoofi0 and
others of the kind, directly growing out of it,
and shall proceed consider the effects of that spirit
of discord, which it reused up between the two
ions. 1t first disclosed itself in the North, by hos
ity that portion of the constitution which provides
for the delivering up of fugitive slaves. In its pro-
gress it led to the adoption of hostile acts, intended
TO render it of non-efect, and with so much success
that it may be regarded now practically expunged
from the constitution. How this has been effected
will be next explained. -@a -@
After careful examination, truth constrains to
say, that it has been by clear and palpable evasion
Of the constitution 1t is impossible forany provision
to be more free from ambiguity doubt. 1t is in
the following words: "No person held to service, or
labor, in State, under the laws thereof escaping
into another State, shall, in consequence of any law
regulation theren be discharged from such service
or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim OF the
party to whom such service or labor may be DUE"
All is clear. There is not an uncertain or equlvocal
word to be found in the whole provision. What
shall not be done and what shall be done are expli-
clLy set forth. Inc former provides tnaL tne IdlVe
slave shall not be discharged from his servitude by
any law or regulation of the State wherein he is
found; and the latter that he shall be delivered
on claim of his owner. 81. ...- ...y
We do not deem it necessary toundertake to refute
the sophistry and subterfuges by which so plain a
provision of the constitution has been evaded, and in
effect, annulled It constitutes essential part of
the constitutional compact, and of course of the su-
preme law of the land. As such it is binding all
the federal and State governments, the States and the
individuals composing them. The sacred obligation
of compact and the solemn injunction of the supreme
law, which Legislators and judges, both federal and
State, bound by oath to support all unite to en-
force its ful6lment, according to its plain meaning
and true intent What that meaning and intent are,
there no diversity of opinion in the better days
OF the republic, prior to 1919. Congress- State leg
isaures, State and federal judges and magistrates,
and people, all spontaneously placed the same inter-
Pretation it. During that period none interposed
lmpediments in the way of the owner seeking to
recover his fugitive slave; did any deny his right
70 have every proper facility TO enforce his claim to
nave him delivered up. 1t then nearly as easy
70 recover found northern State, as one found
20 neighboring southern State. But this has passed
away and the provision is defunct except perhaps in
two States*
Indiana and Illinois.