Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-02-09

be used by the Government ~ any other
way than as property, aud no, as persons
His own views Of the Constitution Of the .
United States regarded them altogether,
from beginning to end, as persons aud no.
thing else. Ii did not regard them as prop.
erty in any form: aud the members Of the
House were here to leeislate for the Union
Of the country under the Constitution Of
the country.
Ia the next place, il would be found that
all the illusions made in the Constitution
to this kind Of thing was made as TO per-
sons For example /: in the second section
Of the first article, il was provided tina,
Representatives aud direct taxes shall be
apportioned among the several States which
may be included within this Union, accord
ing to their respective numbers, which shall
be determined by adding to the whole num-
Der OF free persons including those bound
to service for term Of years, aud excluding
Indians not taxed, ihree-ilths OF all other
persons"
This was the first reference
Again they were referred TO in another
clause Of the Constitution, which provides
that "persons held 10 service or labor" shall
be delivered up TO those to whom such ser
vice or labor may be due. In one other
instance also, they were referred to as per.
sons.
But was there not on this floor evidence
Of the fact that they were regarded as per-
sons, and nothing else would the gentle.
man from South Carolina MIR Burr! say
how it was that the State OF South Carolina,
with white population under the last GEN.
sus Of two hundred and sixty thousand, stood
here with six colleagues, while the State of
New Hampshire, with free white popula-
ton OF two hundred and eighty thousand,
was represented here by only four Repre-.
sentatives, unless il was tina, these other
persons were represented in this Hall
would he explain how ii was that the State
of South Carolina, with population, as he
had said, ofiwo hundred and sixty thousand,
and the State OF Florida, iron which this
cfaim came,) with white population Of
thirty thousand, 1.-THE two combined falling
shor, Of three hundred thousand, were
represented in this House by eight mem
bers, when the State OF Connecticut, with
q population OF three hundred and three
thousand, had but four Representatives
toll Was il not because these were Ie-
garded as persons and counted as persons 7
The very declaration that they were not
persons would vacate the seats OF those who
represented this class Of persons on this
floor. Not only here. bss ia the election
10 I'LL the highes, executive Offices OF ,he
Government. that very population gave to
the two States which he had named Just
double the power which the State Of Con.
necticut, with her population Of three hun.
bred and three thousand, possessed. Il was
because these persons were regarded rs
persons, and not as properly. Could the
doctrine be tolerated, that there was rep
reseniation on this floor and power given
in the popular elections Of the country
founded upon property
But he considered that there was mani
fest injustice in this claim. II was put upon
the ground that the slave was property
Mr. W. proceeded TO argue the injustice and
inequality which would result. in the oper.
alton Of the laws upon different sections oil
the Union, from the admission Of such
claims. II would be conceded that there
were occasions when every person NIGH
be called upon TO expose his person and
property in defence Of the country. Under
such circumstances, military commander
could not stop to weigh the circumstance,
Of the case very nicely. The person wa,
bound to obey, and If he did not obey, he
was liable 10 be shot down. The com
mander might call out son, or an appren
lice, and appropriate him to the purposes
Of defence. Was the south TO enjoy a su
perior guarantee in this respect from th'
other portions Of the country Were III,
relations of the Government towards differ
ent sections ofthe country to be thus dsas
trously changed! IL freeman was callet
upon to do service, should he be allowe'
to say, excuse me and take my slave! Were
the obligations Of the country thus TO b.
changed The rights Of the Government
and Of individuals were reciprocal. Should
the slave take the place Of the master, AM
should the Government pay for the slav
: when il would not pay the man himsel2-
: Gould il be possible that this Goyefnmen
was 10 be so administered as TO make com
pensation for that kind Of persons, whel
every other man was bound 10 render hi
. person for the defence of his country with
out compensation The idea was not I
be entertained for a moment.
The operation Of the principle advocate
here aud upon which the claim for the re
4. lief Of the heirs of Pacheco was founded
$ changed the liability of the Government !
. relation to the right Of the owner OF III
] property. The laws in all countries recol
nized certain righls-the parent had III
e right 10 The service of his son during b
minority; the master had the right 10 III
c service Of his indenled apprentice dnrin
Y the period Of his apprenticeship but II
n where in this or in any other country
ChrisIendom, since the Introduction OF III
e Christian religion, had i ever been hear
c that parent or a master had received pa
II for losses sustained by the death or by Il
/ Injury OF his sou or apprentice when expo
d ed under these circumstances in the defen'
y of his country.
b lie begged to inquire Of gentlemen {
ID the other side, what particular point III,
At now took upon which they undertook 10
lie the liability Of the Government for this mi
lt Lewisi Was it because Pscheco hr'
lie this man for S25 per month to the Unit,
All sha inf has