Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-14
MIR. CALHEOUN,s ADDRESS,
A. M. SIMPSON

On the 18th ul,imo. Mr.. CALHOUN, from
the Committee OF fifteen, appointed at a
meeting of the Southern members of Con-
gress, reported the following Address,
which was read by the Secretary, and a.
'dopted by vote of AZ TO II.
We whose names are hereunto annexed address
you in discharge of what we believe to be a sol
emn duty, on the most important subject ever
presented for your consideration. We allude to
the conflict between the two great sections of the
Union, growing out of difference Of feeling and
opinion in reference to the relation existing be-
tween the .wo races, the European and African
which inhabit the southern section. and the acts
of aggression and encroachmens to which it has
led.
The conflict commenced not long after the &C
acknowledgements Of our independence, and has
gradually increased until it has arrayed the great
body of the North against the South on this most
vital question. In the progress of this conflict
aggression has followed aggression, and encroach-
esent encroachment, until they have reached
point when the regard for your peace and safety
will not permit us to remain longer silent. The
object of this address is TO give you clear. cor
rect and brief account of the whole series of ap-
gresslons and encrOachmen,s on your rights, with
u statement of the dangers to which they expose
yon Our object in making it is not to cause ex-
element but to put you in full possession of all
the facts and circumstances necessary to a full
and just conception OF deep seated disease which
threatens great danger 10 you and the whole body
polite. We act on the impression that, in pop
uIar government like ours, true conception of the
actual character and state of disease is indispen-
cable to effectng cure.
We have made il a Joint address, because we
believe that the magnitude Of the subject required
tina; II should assume the most impressive and sol
emn form.
Not to go further back, the difference Of opin-
ion and feeling in reference TO the relation be-
tween the two races disclosed itself in the Con
veuiion that framed the CONSTITUTIONS and corsti-
tued one of the greatest difficulties in forming it,
After many efforts it was overcome by a compro-
mise, which provided. IN the first place, that rep
fesen,aiives and direct taxes shall be apportioned
among the States according to their respective
numbers and that, in aSceraining 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
-servtude, but shall be delivered up on claim of
the party to whom their labor service is due
In the third place, that Congress shall prohibit
the importation of slaves before the year 1903 but
a tax not exceeding ten dollars may be imposed
oil each imported. And finally that no capitaion
or direct tax shall be laid but in proportion to fed
eral numbeTs-and that amendment of the
Constitution prior to 1903 shall affec, this provs-
ion, nor that relating TO the importation Of slaves.
So satisfactory were these provisions, that the
second, relative to the delivering up Of fugitive
slaves, was adopted unanimously, and ali
the rest, except the third, relative 10 the impora-
ton Of slaves until 1903, with almost equal una
nirnity. They recognize the existence OF slavery
and made specific provision for its protection
where it was supposed 10 be the most exposed
They 90 further, and incorporate it, as an mpor-
tant element, in determining the relative weight
of the several States in the government of the
Union, and the respective burdens they should
bear in laying capitation and direct taxes. 1t
was well understood ut the limo that, without them
the Constitution would not have been adopted by
she Southern States, and, Of course, that they
constitute elements essential to the system that
il never could have existed without them. The
Northern States, knowing all this, ratified the
Constitution, thereby pledging their faith 10 the
most solemn manner, sacredly to observe them.
How that faith has been kept and that pledge re-
deemed we shall next proceed to show