The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-05

IL preached Gods word 10 her people since W
5, ~ years Of age-I am not 10 speak 10 my fello
4, citizens on this great topic, else may be driy
Of rom the standl don't believe they would ha
ID attempted IT, II they had attempted il, l shou
nj have been like Old Joe Craig, when they came
he take him TO jail for preaching. "Well, said he
lying down fiat on his back, "you may take III
le lump OF clay TO Jail, but old Joe Craig will have
or But my friend, Mr. Shy, deprecstes the agitatis
IA OF this question. Mr.. President, think the Ia
re Legislature threw down the glove and invited d
N contest. We choose here 10 take it up, and pr
At scribe the terms Of the contest 80 for agtalio
Re constant, earnest agitation. Move the Peep
?, every where. Tell them Of the importance of III
IL question. Teach the doctIine of emancipatie
e nom every mountain-meet the plain people in n
., vailtss-lhere tell them the truths we have
e. present concerning the great interests they have
4 stake in This matter Tell them that Washingto
r. and Jefferson and Monroe were opposed TO 81
: sery-tell them of Patrick Henry-they weT
}, emanclpaiionlsts-lhey hated slavery because
was wrong in itself, and because IL was a curse
ihe white man. Tell them these things and the
8 VIII believe you. There is reason, sir, for he
haste in the matter. Gen. Washington, in III
darkest hour Of Our fathers struggle, retreate
: before the enemy day after day-he fell back agai
and again until he brought CORVALLIS 10 fight hiu
on his own ground, and he there, glorious oil
man, won for the cause of liberty of its proud
esI lIlumphs. Washington's prospects Tor victor
we're less promising for victory than ours II W,
are equally prudent and wise we will be equalt
fortunate. Let US therefore take the committee
resolutions, and let us agitate this question, da,
and night until Kentucky has within her borden
no slave 10 faint her soil.
Judge Nicholas, of Louisville, said, I have rea
son to aPprehend there is a good deal Of miscon
ception al TO the purpor of the resolutions of the
committee, presented on yesterday. The general
Tenor oil those resolutions, as soon as Iheard them,
me- my nearly concurrence, and my mind was
neneVed OF feeling OF apprehension, that some.
thing might he done TO PROSTATE the hope of the
party. can therefore assure the gentlemen OF
lhal committee, that il was no slight alienation
10 my feelings when heard the report read; and,
| take THIS occasion 10 tender them the sincere
| thanks OF the discreet friends OF emancipation IN
this hall, and elsewhere, for the faithful discharge
o. the patriotic labor assigned 10 them. And
/ those thanks are especially due 10 two of that
| committee, from whom feared less calm and
prudent measures. The fact, however, that those
resolutions We're written hastily, and at the close
OF long and laborous session, and that they have
been msspprehended here, leaves no doubt they
viii be inexperienced elsewhere. | was re-
tnested By several friends, 10 try and embody the
spsfit ana meaning of the committees resolutions,
and at the same time rid them of the objections
indicated, and present the result of my effort 10
| the Convention. | have endeavoted 10 do So
though believe il is not now in order 10 present
il.
Mr. Thomasson Withdrew his amendment, and
'udke Nlchoias read as fOlloNs:
That, negro slavery being great moral, social,
and political evil, injurious 10 the growth wealth
morals and industrial habits OF our whole white
population, without any sufficient compromising
benefits ID the Shareholders themselves, and with
out any benefit whatever 10 the observation-disclosures
The people of Kentucky should, by appropriate
amendment OF the Constitution, retain in their
own hands the right and power 10 extirpate the
evil and, the subject being one OF such transcen-
dant Importance that even its unavoidable agita.
ton is calculated 10 disturb il not niuiouslv in.
uenee, its adjustment Of other great constitution
al questions, any plan for the eradication of The
eva when presented for the final ratification OF
the people, shouldcome before them, as a single
distinct queston-seParate from all others. There
fore,
hesOlpsd, That il be recommended to all those
who are opposed 10 the further increase and per-
Petuation Of slavery in Kentucky, 10 support can
didates for the Convention who will advocate the
following propositions, or some near approxima-
tion thereto.
1. That the Constitution be SO amended as to
prohibit the Importation Of slaves into this State
2 That any scheme of emancipation should be
gradual, prospective, and operate upon none but
after born slayes-not interfering with the right OF
the owner 10 remove his slaves from the State,
and be connected with colonization.
3. Thai majority OF the people should have the
right to determine, by theiI votes at the polls, on
some future day, as distinct question, separate
from all others, whether some such scheme shall
then be adopted and become part Of the Constilu-
zion.
l. Thatlo prevent the injurious effects of con.
slant, or even too frequent agitation Of the ques-
lion, its submission for the decision Of The people
should not be repeated but after a lapse of such
number of years as would afford reason 10 suppose
deliberate and radical change OF public senli-
ment on the subject.
5. That any amendment of the Constitution, by
the coming Convention, touching the subject Of
slavery should be submitted for the ratification OF
the people al the polls. as q distinct question,
separate from all other amendments.
Judge n. proceeded. 1t would be an act of SUI
pIereogation, 10 impute want OF suficiency in
gument 10 the remarks Of the gentleman from Fay
cite, in support OF his resolution. But the argu-
ments offered, may not have been retained in The
memory, 10 the midst Of the many things which
have been sand for and against the resolutions,
and for other propositions proposed by way OF
amendments, and il may not be amiss therefore 10
offer few remarks in support Of them now.
The first great task 20 be accomplished by the
friends OF this cause, is, 10 enancpate emancipa-
ton from politics and the influence of wealth; for
Il is now so hampered and trammelled by those in
uences that il is utterly impossibleto secure for
il, in any contest, fair trial. II was truly re-
marked yesterday, that one great political party,
the democrats, made an effort 10 rally against IL
They did not disguise their object in so doing, and
no sooner had they begun the work, than the whole
Wing press begun TO decTy agitation, lest IL might
throw power in the State, into the hands Of their
advenaties Whatever of influence both parties
may have, has been brought TO bear aganstit tex
cept that aged and yenerated man of Ashland, who
is above the influence of party control upon great
questions like this, know Of no politician who
has had the holiness TO stand out in its favor; on
the contrary all have decried it. The party press
on both sides are doing all they can TO prevent our
having hearing. Ia that state OF case that JUS
tihes our riskins all nowl Shall we become
mere nose OF wax in the hands OF politcians2
Let them combine, as they have done against us,
and determine TO crush question, aud there is no
earthly chance TO Get hearing, far less % come
out victorious. Yet YOU say, the people will hear
you. Well suppose they will. We haxe<nstaboai
one fourth Of the State represented here We
will be engaged in our respective counties; who
have we 10 rely upon in the remaining seventy
counties OF the Slater Who are our friends? We
are yet without the knowledge absolutely necessa-
ny 10 the preliminary arrangements for the canvass
DO you know, that leading men in all parts OF the
State, who formerly sympathized with you, have
gone 10 the other side, fearing the effect OF
the popular cry against emancipation? This Is
certainly true. We must therefore emaneipate
emancipation from the politicians before we are
ready 10 begin our fight properly.
The next thing is 10 emancipate emancipation
nom the money power Of The State. We cannot
undertake, with hope of success, any scheme
against the combined property and wealth OF the
country. We may talk about freedom, and Ken
lucky Northumberland God knows her people
have as much of il as any people upon earth-but
where is the people free from monled influence
| and power? Why is il that men, who would fight
told they were not free, have fed this question:
Let il be said that all the wealthy men are opposed
| 10 any single proposition, care not what il is,
and their influence viii be felt through all the gIa-
dations of society, from the minister OF the Gospel
10 the day laborer. Not that any Of these men, u
convinced that measure was a7eessary, would
refuse pecuniary sacrifice; but they will be slew
10 believe and al best, will be disposed 10 post
poue decision to a future day. Especially are
they slow to act when they told they will sacr
| fee themselves for nothing. II is bold man, in