The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-02

tTiSm NAc LOUISVILLE Couitct.
Nh. HALDgMAN:-A very interesting debate
took place recently at Carlisle, in Nicholas coun-
ty, between John A. McClung aud l.. NJ. Cor,
EGGS, on the subject OF emancipation; The meet
ing was quite large, the Court House was filled
To overfiowIng, and as the audience evinced such
deep interest in if, | have thought some account
of it would be gratifying to your numerous read
ers-
Mr.. hIcClung opened the debate and advocated,
/. The insertion OF the Law of 3d.
2. The open clause--in the new constitution.
File dwelt briefly upon the FIRST point in relation to
which there was not much opposition in the coun-
~; and dwelt largely upon the second. He con-
tended that were not venturIng into an unk nown
sea, in adopting the open clause, but were fol-
iowng sound and safe presidents.
1. The constitution of the United States was
smendeble by separate clauses, submitted 10 a
vote Of the States, or to Congress.
2 We had the example OF most of the States
which had recently amended their constitutions
or had formed constitutions. He mentioned Mis-
sissippi, Alabama, Missouri, Iowa and Wseon-
sin.
g. II had been unanimously adopted by those
who clsImed TO represent the convention party in
the Legislature, m their declaration of principle
a. Frankfort, in 1S47
4. II was the fairest way oftakingthe sentiments
Of the people, in as much as every question rested
independently upon its own merits, and all log
rolling was prevented.
He then declared that he desired al future day
to bring up before the people the question of eman-
clPation and colonization, upon lis own merits I'M
irsmmelled BY the various entengling pledges and
alliances which now crippled il.
He was in favor of emancipation and COLOMBIA
lion 10 take effect upon all slaves born after pc
Rod 10 be hereafter determined, and essentially
adopted the project ofMt. Clay.
He objected 10 slavery because:
I. II was injurious 10 the increase Of population
and wealth. He compared Virginia with New
York, Ohio with Kentucky, and Louisiana with
Indiana, and referred Literally TO statistics. He
compared the growth OF cities in the slave and
free states; contrasted Louisville with Cincinnati
Charleston with Boston, Richmond with Albany,
Rochester and Lowell.
2. He contended that slavery cast reproach
upon labor and tended foster habits of idIeness
and dissipation, and from all these causes was a
great political evil.
g. He endeayored TO show that colonization was
practicable scheme, and did not necessarily in
volve SO great sacrifice of slave property as was
generally imagined, as ample time and opport uni
~ would be afforded 10 those SHAREHOLDERS to re.
move from the State, who did not choose 10 wait
the period of emancipation.
4th. lie entered into some details In re aton 10
the growth and political condition of Liberia, and
commended that il would become capable Of re-
ceislng all the negro population OF Kentucky as
fast as Kentucky could send them, and was des-
tined to civilize and chfistianize the African Con-
| tinent
COX'S REPLY.
Mr.. Coz expressed himself favorably inclined
to the law Of 1885, and did not object 70 its being
incorporated IN the constitution. lie was opposed
| TO the oPen clause, because,
Let. II would open the door 10 perpetual agita.
ton Of the question of slavery, which would de-
| preciate the value OF slaves, and unsettle and
disturb all the relations of society.
ID. He denied that the convention party intsad.
| Ell to leave the new constitution open for amend.
ments on the subject ofBlavery but thai their in
tention WIS that slavery should not be meddled
With IN OF under it, and thai TO insert the open
clause ,l0w would be keeping the promise to the
| ear but violating il in effect.
| Sd. He quoted the scriptures of the Old Tesla
ment 70 prove slavery no sin, and denied that II
was an evil either politically or morally. He as
cIibed the superior growth Of Ohio over hentucky
TO the early land litigation of Kentucky, aud the
superior manner in which Ohio had been surveyed
and seld by Congress. de highly extolled the su.
periority Of the Kentucky volunteers in Mexico
over those Of the free States and ridiculed with
much wit the poverty and degradation OF the popu
| lation Of the free States, as compared with the
same class in Kentucky. He objected to the
| change Ia society which would be wrought 10 Ken
! ticky BY the Introduction of foreigners and Yam
KEGS, and told several anecdotes, throwing ridi
Guile upon both. He was rather loose and dscursivt
Ia his remarks and dealt abnndantly in anecdots
and hurior chiefly ct The expense of the free
States, ind Ia praise Of Kentucky.
Mr.. McCIung replied and noticed the many
positions he had taken that ". Cox had sotall,