The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-02-07
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A D D R ES S
ADDRESS
OF THE .-
Southern Members of Congress to their
Constituents.

address you in discharge of what we believe
to be solemn duty, on the most important
subject ever presented for your considera-
lion. We aIlude to the conflict between the
two great sections of the Union, growing
out of difference OF feeling and opinion in
reference 10 The relation existing between
the two races, the European and African,
which iuhabit the Soultcrn secti''n. and the
acts of aggression and cncroachmeEt TO
which it has led.
The conflict commenced not long after
the acknowledgement Of our independence,
and has gradually increased until it has ar
rayed the great body of the North against
the South on this most vital subject. In
the progress of this conflict, aggression, has
f1Ilowcd aggression. and encr"achmcnt
cncruachmcni, until they have reached
poirt when regard for your peace and
safety will not permit lis to remain longer
seri. The object of this address is To give
you clear, correct, but brief account of the
whole series of aggrcsslons and encroacl'..
mcn,s on your rights, with statement OF
the dangers to which they expose you. Our
object in making ii is not I" cause excite.
menl, but to put you III full possession OF all
the facts and circumstances necessary to a
full and just conception of deep seated dis
case, which Threatens great danger to you
and The whole body polite. We act on the
impression, that in a popular government
like ours, true conception of the actual
character and state of disease Is lndIs-
pcnsable TO ettcclIng cure.
We have made it Joint address. because
we believe that the magnitude of the sub
ject required that it should assume The most
Impressive and solemn form.
Not to 90 further back, the difference OF
opinion and feeling in reference to the rela.
ton between the two races, disclosed itself
in the convention that framed the Constltu.
ton, and constituted one of the greatest dill
ficuIiics in (orningit. After many efforts, 1t
was overcome by compromise, which pro-
vided in the first place, that Representatives
and direct taxes shall be apporlioncd among
the States according to their respective
numbers; and that, IN ascerla'nmg the num-
her ofcacl,, FIVE slaves shall be estimated as
three. In the next, that slaves escaping IN.
to States where slavery does not exist shall
no, be discharged from scrvI'udc, but shall
be- dcIvcrd up on claim OF the party to whom
their labor of service is due. In The third
place, tina, Congress shall not prohibit the
importation of slaves before the year lSOo;
but tax not exceeding ten dollars may be
imposed on each imported. And finally,
that no capilaiuu or direct Tux shall be laid,
but in proportion to federal numbers; aud
that no amendment Of The Constitution, prior
to 1908, shall effect this provision, nor that
relating to tho importation Of slaves.
So satisfactory were these PROVISIONS that
the second, relallvc 10 the delivering up OF
furitiye slaves was adopted unanimously;
and all the rest, except the third, relative to
the importation Of slaves until lSOS, with
almost equal unaninily. They recognise
the existence Of slavery, and make a specific
provision for its protection where It was
supposed 10 be the most exposed. They GO
further, and incorporate It as an important
element, in determining tho relative weight
Of the several States III the Government OF
the Union, aud the respective burden they
should bear in laying capltalIon and direct
taxes. 1t was well understood al the time,
that without them the Constitution would
not have been adopted by the Southern
States, and Of course that they constituted
elcneuls SO essential to tho system that 1t
never would have existed without them.
The Northern States. knowing all this, rall-
fed tho Constitution, thereby pledsnS their
faith in the most snemn manner, sacred'y 10
observe them How that faith has been
kept, and that pledge redeemed, we shall
next proceed 10 show.
With few exceptions of no great lmPor'
,ancc, the South had no cause 10 complain
prior to the year lSl0-a year, 1t Is TO Dc
feared, destined to mark tram OF events,
bringing with them many, and great, and
fatal disasters, on the 'untry ana It's '1sti-
,u,ious. With i commenced the agllallng
debate on the question of the admission OF
Missouri into the Union. We shall pass by
for tho present this question, and others OF
the same kind, directly growing out OF II.
and shall proceed TO consider the effects OF
that spirit of discord, which II rousci up be.
tween the two sections. 1t first disclosed
itself in the North, by hostility to that por-
ton of the Constitution which provides tor
the delivering up OF fugitive slaves. In It's
progress it led TO the adoption Of hostile acts
intended to render it Of non-cffcct, and with
50 much success that it may be regarded
now as practically expunged from the Con-,
s,tu,ion. How this has been effected will
be next explained.
After careful examination, truth con-
strains us to say, tina, it has been by clear
and palpable invasion Of the Constitution: II
is impossible for any provision to be more free
from ambiguity Or doubt. 1t is in the follow
ing words: mo person held to SERVICE or
lahor in one State under the laws thereof,