New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-05-11
emancipation In Kentucky-The Convention
al Frankfort.


Mr. HOLLOWAY Vi Boyle said that but short
time since It was avowed that there were not IL
that country three hundred EmsncipatiOuists
now there were more than three times that num-
Der and they would increase cysry day until toe
election. lie had heard Il suggested that the Con
vsntion might compromise upon the bass Of the
ls~ Of 1888 but for the sake Of the he hoped
they would do 10 such thing. Let them present
bold front aud stand or fall by their principles
THOMAS NJ Smith oil Louisville wss born
saveholder, aud had owned many slaves, but had
arden,iy desired the day when the state should be
free from the curse Of Slavery. In Lo1isville foar
hlths OF the citizens werc for emancipation The
question was not one OF today. II was only
necessary TO convince the people OF The policy Of
emsuc patton ia order to carry it. Shareholders
were afraid 70 discuss the question.
JANIS NJ. TODD Ct Shelby bad heard attempts
10 defend Slavery on Bible grounds. II would be
Is reasonable 10 defend poygamy. The question
for Kentacky was how to get rid Of the evil y h.cb
was growing upon them daily, aid would soon 50
impoversh them that, as in NreinIe, planter
would have 10 sell four or five slaves every year ia
order 70 live on the proceeds They were in pur-
suit OF the risht, If they moved prudenty and
wisely yet firmly, they would surely be victorious.
The Report Of the Committee having been pre-
scented, including clause to the effect that cand-
dates TO the Constitutional Convention should be
run favorable to prohibiting farther mportatons
ofs,aves, and to declaring the power 70 enforce
system Of Emancipation TO reside ia the people g.
Mr. HARVARD Of Louisville opposed ,he com
promise. THO cause boldly presented, would find
friends everywhere. There were moro emanci-
patton sis in the State than they supposed lie
bad recently travelled through tho South where it
was said there were none. and found many who
had not spoken because the proiessed emancipa.
,ionists displayed too much timidity. The only
true ground for them was boldness and decision.
Mr.. THoaAssoS Of jefferson thought the posi-
tons OF the Committees report not sufficiently
. decided There were many friends Of the cause
not willing so to amend the Constitution, as b.
leave this question open for constant agitation be-
fore the people. They want 10 look TO Il day when
they may repose free from the excitement Of the
agitation Of this question. lie did not want to 20
back to his people aud tell them he hid been TO the
Emancipation Convention, and had been COMPEL
ed to fall back from the bold position they had
taken, and had been compelled to content himself
with agreeing to fight for mere reservation 10
the Legislature OF a right to submit the question
to the people at some future day.
GEo. NJ BEDINGER of Boone, dissented from
the report of the Committee. 1t was the desire
of his people that the Constitution should contain
some provision directly III favor of emancipation.
They must have some ground to stand on, from
which they could make bold and resoute fight
Let them encourage the people TO Join them and
not alarm them by the timidity OF their propo-
sitioDs.
Judge b. MONROE Of Franklin. sustained the
Com oittee. 1t was better to take prudent ground
for victory, than holder ground for defeat. Then
work must be done slowly, and required radical
change 10 public sentiment
c. NJ CLAY Of Madison, hsd differed from the
Committee. His feelings were with his Losis-
vile friends, but he would accept the report
the majority so willed.
Mr. HOLLOWAY urged an amendment that had
been offered, TO the effect that provision should
be made in the constitution fer gradual prospect
i've emancipation with coonlgation
Mr. II. j. BREcKENRiDGE spoke as follows
Finv wears ngo our fathers had ths question up be
fore them It Is now Reproduced ana we come "s ,
TO ito consideration Let us 20 net IN regard to II mar
we may transmit 70 postery rs VIC have received
it. the most incX ting Unstable hatred OIL ana bOsuY TO-
thi, most atrociou. OF all human institutions
The true question IL. which l. the "sest ana mo
hopeful Of al the plans for the accomplishment OF the
end we have In viewi Iii believe hopeless TASK
to strive TO get SPECIFIC plan engraiied III ,o new m
eututon; but II is verify believe, most promising
and hopeful task look 10 the plan 10y action hcicai
ter through the Legislature. Let us struggle 10 nia@e
the policy since 1888 the policy OF the Stale III an
lure time and to provide in the ncw Constitution ioi
the adoption OF such plan a. may be seemed "scs' "
the Legislature IL 1t not indeed as Oo'9 10 uri''."''
the night the thing al proper une ana Ia proper
way 10 10 10 imagine that % Ice done al once III ,'
Constitution II we have the power 10 do the latter
noe may We not hope 10 accomplish the former al "
future day IL IL infinitely more easy To attempt 10
carry ont The plan proposed by the committee than 20
move 100 voters to the proposed amendment Z"
the Constitution To ask that the measure We desire may
be engraiicd the Constitution now aud TO ask lhe'
the night aud power 10 do the same thIS uS gwen 10
the Legislature are very different things lhc latter
may be hoped for. the former regard az lhpossDle
II Is not 10 be disguised that large majority OF vac
slavcholers are against respectable number 10
their lasting honor, have joined IN our RANKS 'S -
majority of the voters Of the state are non
They too as a class, have been poisoned against Us
They have boon appealed tothey have been told t"s
we propose TO rob the STAKEHOLDER OF his property
They have been told that disregard the vested ish'
Of the master in the slavcal these thlnSs axe tou !"
the non avchocrs but they forget 20 tell him that the
highest property man can have Is the property ~ "l
sct You can have no hope OF success unless you ca"
associate the STAKEHOLDER from the non Shareholder
You must convince the non stakeholder that cnaho.
ton will add to tho prosperity and glory OF the STATE
You must satisfy the nslavchoder that power may
be exercised Emancipation can never pch''oh I"s"'u
otherwise This will require time, and must Do done
gradually
W. p. Boon Of jefferson thought the way to
success was to have something moro than abstrac
tons to contend for.
w. O. SMIrH of Bourbon was opposed to the
action proposed by the Committee /. Because
1t would receive the same opposition that would
l.. Al. 4 of Em0QClna d.
Q 1t would dshearten their friends by It's hmd
ity, and throw gloom over the prospects OF the
whole party aud lastly, he feared they might
dive from them some Of their best friends. 1t
was the part of policy in his judgmcn, 10 take bold
ground
JoHS C. You've of Boyle went for moderate &C
ton. He would seize upon and dismanile the out
posts OF the enemy and wal, for the proper time
to reduce the capital. They woro in a minority
in the greater part OF the Counties and could get