Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-13

restl. nee
would It.
Congress the
OF slavery, the Va,
trict, and Of making l.
Well, Mr. President, said
resolution, except the first, (Which
sion by either partyD that did not eiIl.
mutual concession by the two parties, or ol.
concessions altogether from the North 10 the =,
Now with respect to the resolution under consiol
ton. The North has contended that the power exists
under the constitution 10 abolish slavery The South,
am aware has opposed it, and most, at least great
porlon OF lhe South have commended Tor the opposite
construction. What does the resolution do! tasks
OF both parties to orbear urging their opinions
the one to the exclusion OF the other bat comedies
the South all that the South, it appears me- upon this
subject, ought IN reason to demand, in far it
quires such conditions 10 an absolute security
tor property in slaves in the District; such conditions
as will probably make the existence of slavery within
the District eoeva and coextensve with its existence in
any OF the States out Of and beyond the District But
sir the second clause OF this resolution provides chat
is lnexpedent to prohibit within the District the trade
in slaves brought into it from States or places beyond
the limits Of the District, either to be sold therein as
merchandise or to be transported to other markets -"
Well, Mr.. President, il the concession be made that
Congress has the power OF legislation, and exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever how can be doubt
ed that Congress has authority to prohibit what is called
the slave trade in the District OF Columbia? Sir my
Interpretation of the constitution is this that with re-
gard TO all parts OF which operate upon the States
Congress can exercise no power which not granted
power, That is the rule for the action OF Congress ia
relation to- his legislation upon the States hut in relation
TO Its legislation upon this District tue reverse take
to be the true rule that Congress has all power over The
District which is not prohibited by some par the
sttuon OF the United States and in other words, that
Congress has power within the District equivalent to-
and extensive with, the power which any State itself
possesses within its own limits.
Well, sir, does any body doubt the pow and the
right OF any slaveholdng State in this Union forbid
the introduction merchandise Of slaves within their
aVAhn II to ,t l,a
Union has exercised It's power prohibit the introduce
ton OF slavery merchandise Ii was in the constu-
ton OF my own State; and, Notwithstanding all The
element and agitation upon the subject OF slavery winch
occurred during the past year in the State OF Kentucky
the same principles Incorporated in the consttu-
ton 1t is in the constitution, know, Of Mississippi
That State prohibits the introduction OF slaves within
its limits as merchandise believe it to be in the
sttutlon or in the laws OF Maryand--ln the laws Of
VHgnla-n the laws ofmosl Of the savehoding States.
1t is true that the policy of the different savehodng
States upon this subject has somewhat vaclaled-they
sometimes adopted it and sometimes excluded ll-oat
there has been diversity of opinion, no departure
nom the great principle, that every one OF them mas the
power and authority to prohibit the Introduction OF slaves
within their respective limits ii they choose TO exercise It,
Well, them sir really not think that this resolution
which proposes abolish that trade, ought TO be
sidered as concession by either class oil the States
the other class think should be regarded as COM
mon object acceptable to both, and comfortable to the
wishes and feelings of both and yet, Sir in these times
OF fearful and alarming excitement-int these times when
every night that go TO sleep and awoke up in the
morning, it is with the apprehension of some and
fearful and dreadful dings upon this agitang subec-l
have in the act OF neghborng State amongst the
various contingencies which enumerated upon the
happening OF any one OF which, delegates are to be sent
TO the famous Convention which 10 assemble at Mash
vile in June next that amongst other substantive
grounds for the appointment OF delegates to that Con
ventlon-of delegates from the state to which refer
one is, that if Congress abolish the slave trade in The
District of Columbia, that shall be cause for q convene
ton in other words, it is cause for considering whelhe
this Union ought to be dissolved or not. Is possible
to portray greater extent of extravaganza to which
men may be carried by the ndu gence OF their pasons
Sir the power exists the duty inmy opinion, exits;
and there has been time-as may say in language
coinciden with that used by thehono able Senaotrom
A abama--there has been time in my public lie
when was willing concurn the abolition OF The
slave trade in this district was willing to have done