The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-04

Sttp tOWdFUb All 'ObsFtSs Will lilt
slave trade between the States. That Congress had
any power over that slave trade between the States
he contended denied by the decisions of the Su
| prcme Court. Every southern State held similar
! grounds. The exercise Ct such pywer by Con-
| gres5 was clearly and Enthusiastically unconstitu-
| onal, and he considered that il equally UNI
constitutional foe Congress 10 repeal the slave trade
| between the States and the District OF Columbia.
lie referred 90 the case Of Grover and Slaughter,
decided by the Supreme Court, and 10 the argu-
| mcnts OF Mcssrs. CLAY and WEBSTER, counsel in
that case showing the unconsttutionalty of any
interference by Congress with the slave trade be-
tween the States, and by implication the unconsti-
tutonaity of any actncriering with the slave trade
| between the States and this District He contended
that if this decision of the court and the positions
taken by the eminent counsel, were now correct,
Congress had no power to abolish the slave trade in
this District, so long slavery recognised and
continued in the District. The States had the power
this subject, and could within their respective
limits make such laws and regulations as they
should deem necessary for their protection.
But Congress had not that jurisdiction over this
District as TO authorize il to pass any law affecting
injurious to the trade between the States Would
any contend that Congress had the power TO
prohibit the sale in this District OF cotton fabrics
because they were brought into II from any Of the
States of the Union? Certainly not. Where then.
lac asked so long slaves in this District were
cOgnscd and considered as property, was the power
given TO prohibit the sale OF species OF property,
when the same power as regards other property
could not be claimed.
II Congress had the power to prohibit the sale of
slaves which may be brought into this District TO
citizens of other States, it had the power to prohibit
the sale of slaves by inhabtant of the District
] To another. This power, when once recognised and
| acted upon, would not stop here. BY gradually
diminishing the power of the master over the slave,
or the disposal OF that slave, the abolition OF
slavery, if it do not expressly follow, will be in Of
feet accomplished lie 7iid that be knew that what
he could say could not defeat this bill. majority
| were III its favor but in that majority were many
| who did not believe Congress had the power 10
h,lis in, ztripi He an, ed tn
| them 10 consider this bill and lis effects.
| lie said that even did he believe that Congress
had the constitutional power 10 pass this bill, he
would oppose II on the grounds 81 expectancy The
evils of the slave trade-thc forced migratiou the
parting of families and Of kindred, may exist, but
| on the whole he believed, and was confident, the
| slave trade between the States bad worked great
benefits, only othe whites but also the slaves.
| Upon this point he enlarged citing many authori-
ties to sustain the position that the slaves were hen
Gifted by the trade, allowing them to be gradually
removed TO climate suitable 10 their labor and
nature.
He expressed the opinion that of all kinds Of leg
isation, sentimental legislation the worst. He
| respected the motives and honored the intentions
OF those who proposed this species of legislation,
but he considered the various efforts in this country
and elsewhere to prevent the African slave trade,
had been injurious to the African race. Nowhere
in the world il had been said were there three mil
lions of Africans SO happy, contented, and well pro
vided for were the slaves Of North America. lie
conrasted the condition Of the slaves in this c0un-
try win the Africans In thelr native country and
maintained that the bondage here nothing,
taken with all the surrounding circumstances, To
that felt by the natives in Africa, Wherever the
African could be found he slave and servant;
whether in Africa, under the sway OF Feah chief,
in any other part Of the world, the African was
TO be found IN scrvtudc. BY breaking up the slave
trade, you destroy the means by which the African
could be removed from the darkness and ignorance
at home, To other lands of civilized and christian in
teligeuce. The means Of emigration afforded by
the slave trade was the only means afforded the Al
rcan race OF advancing improving his condition.
He again adyerted TO the mutual benefits which
the slave trade afforded the master aud slave by
permitting them to follow the progress Of profit,
&c, and ne opposed this bill because il in princ-
pie vas to effect the confinement of the two within
their present ClrcumsCrhci limits
lie opposed the bill because he looked upon it
as the commencement Of a warfare the slave
trade between the States, which trade he consider
Ell necessary to the peace, happiness and Prospar-
" both OF the matters aud the slaves.
lie said that he knew that his ssutimcnts would
/ be ntisconstrued; and that they would be pro-
nouuced as hard, aud perhaps cruel doctrines. But
he really felt for the welfare Of the saver lie dis
posed and would do anything in his power to bene-
ht them lie had deep interest IN the welfare Of
the negro race, and IN opposing this bill he b.
/ lievcd he was advancing their welfare and future
good as well as that of his own
Mr.. PEARCE said that The amendment Of the
! Senator from Mississippi (Nr. FooTE) proposed
to place the power of enactng Laws on this subject
/ IN the corporations of Washington and George
town. There was no tribunal before which offences
| could bc tried. The criminal court OF this county
had all powers conferred on il which were provided
by the lave i'm force when il established, or
which might be conferred upon IL 10y subsequent
! lave. These subsequent laws he supposed were to
/ be laws OF Congress, apd not Of the corporation.
/ To remedy this, he proposed To amend the amend
mcnt by Inserting, at the end Of the second section
/ thereof, the following:
/ "And that the criminal court Of the District Of
Columbia shall have jurisdiction Of all cases in yio-
/ latlon OF such regulations laws or ordinances as
laf ado ftta
pursuance Of the act and shall have full authority
after indictment and conviction 20 enforce the pen
altics prescribed by said regulations or orii.
/ uauCcs."
Mr.. CLAY said that he desired to say few
words in reply to Vhat had fallen from the senator
from Virginia. lie did not intend 10 follow that
| Senator over the vide range be had taken, and
particularly not over that portion wherein he de-
scribcd the benefits derived by the Africans from
| that trade which had met with tn condemnation
| and cxccration Of nearly all mankind.
There we're two causes Of complaint on this sub
Jet. One was the suppression Of the slave trade,
aud the other the abolition Of slavery in this District
/ u the slave trade be- abolished here he thought the
/ great body Of the North would be satsiied. and
also a great part Of the South. They all looked
upon this traffic here wrong and considered
I it should be put at On end.
lie then aGFcrled % the casc Of Grover and
Slaughter cited by the Senator from Virginia, and
explained the decision in thai case. That case he
considered ~ no authority against the cOnstitu-
tionaty and powers Of Congress IN supprcssing the
slave trade IA this District, over which Congress
had exclusive legislative jurisdiction in all cases
Whatsoever.
lie advocated the passage Of the bill reported.
] lie could not support either the amendment the
I amendment 30 II. They embraced various sub
/ Jccts which would require much consideration
] The bill had but one object, and that was under
/ stood by the Senate. The amendments contained
propositions which would require invcstigatiOn.
they proposed change la the municipal lave Of
The District. They might be right aud proper,
aud n introduced az separate measures, hc might
/ support them; but at this late day OF the session,
and looking At their importance, he preferred that
they should not be adopted.
Mr.. DOWNS said that there was no immediate
or pressing necessity for the passage Of this act at
this moment. Congress had been in session Tor
nine months, and little beyond this subject Of
slavery had been discussed or acted upon. Ilc
thought some time should DC given for other bust
ncss. lie wac opposed 20 this bill. lie knew Of
nothing which rcquiredIts immediate passage. lie
thought Il could be safely laid aside fur few days.
at least ull action was had clscW here upon what
the Senate had already done. lie moved the bill
h. postponed ill this day week.
Mr. CLAY thought the bill should be acted on NJ
this time and called for the yeas and nays on tho
motion. aud they were ordered.
Mr. FOOTE opposed the motion to postpone, and