Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-02
MR.. CALHOUN,S ADDRESS.

VERNON OF southern members OF congress,
from which we extract the following address
TO the South, reported BY Mr.. Calhoun, which
was adopted BY a vote of AZ TO IT,
THE ADDRESS OF SOUTHERN DELE
GATES IN CONGRESS TO THEIR CON-
STITUENTS.
We. whose names are hereunto annexed,
address you in discharge OF what we believe
to be solemn duty, on the most important
subject ever presented for your consideration.
We allude to the conflict between the two
great sections of the Union. growing out of
difference OF feeling and opinion in reference
TO the relation existing betweenthe two races,
the European and African, which inhabit the
southern section, and the acts OF aggression TO
which ii has led
The conflict commenced not long after the
acknowledgment Of our independence, and
has gradually increased until it has arrayed
the great body of the North against the South
on this most vital subject. In the progress of
this conflict, aggression has followed aggres-
sion, and encroachment encroachment, until
they have reached point when regard for
your peace and safety will not permit us 10
remain longer silent. The object of this ad-
dress is to give you clear correct, but brief
account of the whole series of aggression and
encroachments on your rights, with state
ment OF the dangers to which they expose
you. Our object in making il is not to cause
excitement, but TO put you in full possession
OF all the facts and circumstances necessary to
aiull and just conception Of deep seated dis
ease, which threatens great danger to you
and the whole body polite. We act on the
impression that, in popular government like
ours. true conception Of the actual character
and state of a disease is indispensable to eff
fecting a cure.
We have made ii a joint address, because
We believe that the magnitude of the subject
required that it should assume the most i'm
pressive and solemn form
Not 10 60 further back, the difference oil
opinion and feeling in reference 10 the rela-
ton between the two races disclosed itself in
the convention that framed the constitution,
and constituted one of the greatest difficulties
in forming it. After many efforts, it was over
come by compromise, which provided, in
the first place, that representatives and direct
taxes shall be apportioned among the States
according TO their respective numbers; and
that, in ascertaining the number OF each, five
slaves shall be estimated as three. In the
next, that slaves escaping into States where
slavery does not exist, shall not be discharged
from servitude, but shall be delivered up on
claim OF the party to whom their labor or ser.
vice is due. In the third place, that Congress
shall not prohibit the importation OF slaves be-
fore the year 1903 but tax not exceeding
ten dollars may be imposed on each imported
And finally, that no capitatlon or direct tax
shall be laid, but in proportion TO federal mum
bers; and that no amendment of the constitu
ton prior to 1903, shall effect this provision
nor that relating to the importation of slaves
So satisfactory were these provisions, thai
the second, relative to the delivering up of flu
gitive slaves, was adopted unanimously, and
all the rest, except the third, with almost equal
unanimity. They recognise the existence OF
slavery, and make specific provision for lis
protection where it was supposed 10 be the
most exposed. They go further, and ncorpo-
rate it, as an important element, in determn-
ing the relative weight of the several States in
the government of the Union, and the reSpec-
tive burden they should bear in laying capita
ton and direct taxes. 1t was well understood
at the time that, without them the consttu-
ton would not have been adopted by the south
ern States, and, of course, that they consutu-
ted elements so essential 10 the system that II
never would have existed without them. The
northern States, knowing all this, ratified the
constitution, thereby pledging their faith, in
the most solemn manner, sacrediy TO observe
them. How that faith has been kept and thai
pledge redeemed we shall next proceed tc
show.
With few exceptions of no great import
ance, the South had no cause to complain prI.
or to the year 1874 year, it is to be feared
destined to mark train of events. bringing
with them many, and great, and ia al disas.
tiers, on the country and its institutions. With
it commenced the agtating debate on the ques-
ton of the admission of Missouri into the
Union. We shall pass by for the present this
question, and others of the same kind, direct
ly growing out of it, and shall proceed to con
slider the effects of that spirit OF dlscord, which
it reused up between the two sections. 1
first disclosed itself in the North, by hostility
to that portion of the constitution which pro
vides for the delivering up of fugitive slaves
In its progress it led 10 the adoption of hostile
acts, intending 70 render it OF non-effect, ant
with so much success that it may be regarded
now as practically expunged from the consti
tuition. How this has been efected will b,
next explained.
After careful examination, truth conStran
us to say, that it has been by clear and pal
pable evasion of the constitution. 1t is i'm
possible for any provision 10 be more free
from ambiguity or doubt 1t is in the follow
ing words: g No person held to service. o
labor, in one state, under the laws thereof, es
Gaping into another State, shall, in consequence
of any law or regulation therein, be dischars
ed from such service or labor, but shall b.
delivered up on claim of the party to whom
such service or labor may be due" All il
clear There is not an uncertain or equvoca
word to be found in the whole provision. -
What shall not be done, and what shall b.
done, are fully and explicitly set forth. Thu
former provides that the fugitive slave shall
not be discharged from his servitude by an!
law or regulation of the State wherein be i
found and the latter, that be shall be deliver
ed up on claim of his owner
We do not deem it necessary to undertake
to refute the sophlstry and subterfuges b,
which so plain provision of the constitu
ton has been eeaded, and, in effect. annuled
It constitutes an essential part of the constitu
tional compact, and of course of the suprem
law of the land. As such it is binding on al
the federal and State governments, the State
and the individuals composing them. Tn
sacred obligation Of compact, and the solem
Injunction of the supreme law, which legisa
tors rnd judges, both federal and State, ar
bound by oath to support, all unite to eHforc
its fulfment, according to its plain meann
and true intent. What that meaning and in
tent are, there was no diversity of opinion i