Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-03-27

latitude, 10 limit the area Of freedom but
On entire, absolute. and unconditional pro.
hibi,ion Of tho institution in all the .srrito-
ries then under the jurisdiction Of the Con-
gsess.
The ae. Of 1850 had given notice to
the other States, Of The views entertained
BY Pennsylvania. on this important sub
ject. The ordinance Of the 18th July, ~.
81, vas conceived in the same spirit, and
gave an assurance that the evils Of human
bondage should never b extended, and
would eventually cease to exist among a
free people. 1t was in this belief that the
ci,i.ens Of Pennsylvania eonsented to a
Constitution, which recognised to some
extent the institution of slavery.
The Constitution bsing adopted went in.
to operation on the I'd April, 1859. Il
contains the following provisions, directly
or indirectly connected with the sesvitude
Of the colorcd race:
First. as regards representation. i. pro.
vides "Tha, representatives and direcI
taxes shall be apportioned among the sew
eral States which may be included in thi.
Union according to their respective mum
bers, which shall be determined by adding
to the whole number Of free persons. lin
cluding those bound 10 service for a tern
| Of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, ,,
three. fifths Of all other persons"
Second. "The migration or importation
of such persons as any Of the States nox
exisf;ng shall think proper to admit. shall
no. Be prohibited BY Congress prior to the
year 1908 but q tax or duty may be i'm
posed on such importation, not exceeding
ten dollars on each person."
Third, "No person held TO service OF
labor in one State. under the laws thereof
escaping into another. shall, 10 consequence
Of any Law or regulation therein, be dis
charged from such servics or labor. bu
shall be delivered up on the claim Of lh'
party to whom such service or labor may
be DUE"
The provision in the Constitution limit
ing the slave traffic, and the act Of the Ma
tional Congress, Immediately preceding 1T
adoption, in relation to its non.extensioI
to the territories Of the Union, would seen
to leave no doubt upon the mind, that !
was The intention and meaning Of the ire
mers Of the Constitution. 10 prevent th'
extension and increase Of human slavery
and, at an early period. to secure its entir'
abolition in the several States. Th'
qualified representation Of the servils race
and the delivery Of fugitives. were conces
sions made to the people Of the slave.hold
ing States.
To this organic law, containing thes'
provisions, Pennsylvania gave her assent
and i, is therefore duty on her part II
respect. with religious fidelity, the right
therein guaranteed to other States.
That this Common wealth has been faith
full 10 the discharge Of all her federal oblr
cations. j, is believed cen be made manifest
It is true. that her business pursuits hav'
been frequently interrupted +; i. is true. tina
her jus. weigh, in the national councils ha
been Iessensd by the representation Of tn
..rvne ruce; is true, that the representa-
tion Of property instead Of people. has beeI
felt by her citizens As anti.republican ant
wrong-nevertheless. she has always felt j
a duty faithfully TO discharge her obligation
az member Of the National Union.
The institution Of Slavery has assunes
a new position and importance, by TIN
successful attempt to extend it beyond it
original limits. ln every instance Of III,
kind, this Common wealth has raised hel
voies in earnest protest. In the writer
Constitution. to the observance Of whost
provisions her faith had been pledged. there
was found no authority for its introduction
into new and afier. acquired territory.
With the knowledge that the trainers oi
the Constitution had taken . part in the
deliberations Of the Congress Of 1857, and
that the intention Of their Ordinance was
the preservation. from the malign influences
Of Slavery, Of all the territory then belong
ing totheU Union. .it'was reasonable to suppose
tha. any acquiescence. on her part, in the
acquisition Of immense regions to be
covered with slavery, would be given with
great reluctance. The same liberality Of
sentiment that breathed 10 the Declaration
Of tho National Independence-the same
ardent love Of human freedom that concei-
yed the Ordinance Of l7s7-the same
hatred Of human bondage tha. induced tho
abolition Of the slave. trade, it was believed
would influences and direct the opinions and
aciions Of those ilIustrious fathers who
placed these proud memorable among the
veneraied archives OF the Republic.
At the time Of the admission Of Missouri,
II ia svell knov,n 9TH that nm. ;s,;sv this