The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-27

IN their slave property were acknowledged and specin
caly guarded by that constitution, which became at
the solemn OF the union OF these States and the
potent cause under Divine Providence OF their subse
quen prosperity The second section Of the mrs, article
declares that representation and direct shall be APP
poroned according 10 numbers, to be determined by add
ing to the number Of white persons threehfhs OF all
other persons, Including slaves. Slaves, then, consi
tue basis OF representation not confined in its APP
pication to any particular portion OF the Union but
as general rule Can Congress alter abolish that
basis limit its operation to the old States! We
think not Slaves were regarded in double as
pect-as persons and property. We ask to be
ferred to the clause Of the constitution which gives
citizens of the States. In the STATES where slavery
exists suppose that one with ordinary under
standing, who knows anything Of the structure OF the
federal government, whose mind is unobscured by the
polung clouds OF prejudice and bgory can believe for
moment that Congress has any over any descp-
ton Of properly We may surely take this position Tor
glance at the previous condition of the States, and the
purposes and objects Of the constitution, satisfy
every candid mind Each State was separate sover-
eighty, whose government organized for the protec
ton OF ie liberty, and property, and having as every
sovereignty must the exclusive protection OF these I'M
portant subjects BY the constitution. powers
given away except such might be necessary give
national character, and national existence In our IN
tercourse with foreign Nations and such might serve
to bind together as family OF republics The States
did not surrender their control over persons and property
within their limits that would have destroyed their
dentty and all power not delegated by the constitution
reserved to the States The constitution of the United
States does not create government with sovereign
power, and property Is subject alone TO the control OF
government having such power. Such control is an i'm
portant attribute OF sovereignty Indeed the protection 10
property is the strongest igament OF government The
government created by the constitution is limited Ii
must look to the constitution alone as the charter OF its
power, and all its actien must be confined within the
limit there prescribed. Then power of interference
with property within the States is be found This was
not one OF the evils of the articles OF confederation which
gave rise to the formation OF the constitution.
But has been contended and doubtless will be urged
again, that although this be true regards the States
still Congress has unlimited power to egsate for the
Territories. We shall not now controver the claim OF
power 1t Is no part OF our present purposes But, sup
pose be possessed the question is how may it be ex
ercsed We answer, must be in strict subservence
to the principles OF the constitution Congress cannot
by any legislation, defeats qualify enlarge, subyer one
principle contained in that instrument BECAUSE they are
cardinal principles in our Union They constitute the
limit lis official power The principles of government
embraced in the constitution pervade the whole Union
they are universal Every man in every State has
The territories COMMON property, subject TO be
occupied by the people from any portion OF the UHon
in the freedom they enjoyed in the States. both as
late for the Territories to the extent claimed is possessed
II may be exercised without limit unless that limit be
found in the constitution. Legislative power, within the
meaning of the constitution, Is limited y'ower confined
to particular Subjects which only be cised in sub
ordination to certain great principles That is the extent
beyond is usurpaton Suppose there should be slaves
any OF the erriteries would act of Congress
prohibiting slavery produce immediate emancipation
Such would be the effect of unlimited power to leysate
Has Congress the power to say what is what is not
property in the terery belonging TO the people of the
United States or to regulate the amount they may &C
que, or to take from the citizens there that which they
really possass' Such power does not belong to any
regular government On earth We repeat that no power
has been given to Congress over property Within the
States, and power be exercised over it IN the
territories, detrimental 10 the unqualified rights OF their
owners As well might Congress prescribe established
religion for the territories, and require every citizen and
an tn tn n hat is N
largest sense but not the description OF legislative
power conferred by the constitution.
Thus stands as your committee think, the claim Of
righ, asserted for Congress Nor these ifounded
pretesons in the least strengthened by tbs asserted
equality OF the African With the white man, and the
consequent conclusion that he is not nor should he be
regarded as property No one whose will and voice
entered into the declaration of Independence, the
tonal constitution believed that the Africans in service
Of 9th the northern States do not now believe it. They teal
the negroes amongst them not as equals In any sense
but degraded beings far below them in the scale OF
creation Slavery has existed in all ages OF the world
and amongst all nations, savage and civilized with very
few exceptions II originated not in positive or statute
law has been said Il must exist il exist at ALL but
gave TO his highest work. to hold dominion and power
the inferior things Of his creation. Where, we ask
is the municipal, or positive laws as 1t has been called
that authorized the founders Of the Jewish empire to hold
slaves! By what law was It that the African was
bought and Sold and held in perpetual bondage in classic
Greece and imperial Rome And by what authority was
that the modern nations OF continental Europe engaged
largely in the slave trade II by that universal
principle of dominion which constitutes element IN the
nature of man, impressed him by his Creator. Even
England, which now BOASTS that to touch English soil
is break the shackles Of slavery was once dealer IN
slaves Where did her favorite virgin Queen md an act
of Paa which authorized her to share the profits
Of an expedition in the slave trade There was pos
tive law which authorized il, nor did law OF prohibit
ton originate in the Parliament House. British judges
usurped the power Of the legislature and declared that
universal freedom pervaded English soil and we have
reason to fear that their example will hnd followers IN
our land The right OF property IN slaves has met
universal recognition We deny that the service to
which the negro is subjected with u.s. injury to him
or derment to us TO clohe, feed, and protect them,
and compel them by moderate labor to earn such subsis
snce and care is to do for them what they would not do
for themselves All experience has shown that their
best their happest and elevated condition, - IN SER
vitude Out Of it, they degenerate into vice and igno-
mny, which degrade the form they wear 1t IS the place
assigned them by the God o. nature In the great scheme
of creation.
But the people of the northern States do not stop at
serting right to abolish slavery the territories They
to hold in utter disregard that provision IN the con-
stltion which authorizes the owner to Iecapture nus
fugitive slave wherever he may be found. This Is pro-
vision which can admit OF dispute, and its violation
admit of This Is not fidelity to their gov
ernment which is one OF the duties Of Christianity IN the
ample set them by the apostle Paul IN sending home to
Philemon his runaway slave. impong for him forgive.
We lament their misguided zeal, their false PM
anthropy and in the name OF our common country we
mpore them 10 beware lest they drive us to exremhes
which will be fatal in their results 1t is not Tor them to
determine whether slavery blessing or curse TO u.s.
That question ourselves And whilst they
may profess not 10 interfere with here yet cannot
be mistaken to the ultimate end which they desire to
accomplish The delegation from this State in the last