North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-12-18
REPORT OF THE MINORITY

REPORT OF THE MINORITY
OF the Committee on Slavery, submitted to the Leg
!slaiure of North Carolina. on Wednesday the
llih instant.
Inc minority OF the committee to whom was re-
ferred suEdry resolutions upon the subject of NEGRO
slavery and federal relations in addition to the
lotons agreed on by the committee, ask leave to re-
port to the Legislature additional resolutions to which
they request their assent:
The minority believe that the time has arrived when
1t becomes matter of imperious necessity, both for
the salvation of the Union and the correct admins
tration Of the General Government, that the States
should ascertain distinctly whether they have any
rights, whether the tenth section of the amend.
ments to the Constitution meant nothing and should
be considered as meaning nothing.
1t cannot be denied, that since the establishment Of
the Constitution of the United States, there has
listed two parties in the country, conendng, that
said Constitution delegated only certain enumerated
and defined powers, ard that all the powers, incident
to sovereignty, which not therein granted,
reserved to the States respectively; the other party
contending that the Government created by that in
strument was consolidated Government, with no
limits to its power out its sovereign will and pleas
Although in the of ambition, and strife
OF sectional interests, these great landmarks of party
may have heen forgotten for time, partially oh
liberated, still, in the opinion of the undersigned,
they cannot be overlooked, without great danger
the people, and Il final overthrow of our republican
system of Government To the neglect or forget
fulness of the limited character of Government,
are solely 10 be attributed present difficulties and
extent
American I'm ion, reaching from the Atlantic the
Pacific Ocean, embracing in its wide domain ndividu-
ais of every habit and nation, and every variety of
interest, it requires very little political s,gacity to
foresee. that if acquesce in the doctrine that the
Government at Washington is all powerful, and that
the States have no rights, will very erect
imperial tyranny under the form and outward show
OF Republic. Let us regard for moment what
would be the condition of the slayeholding States
under consolidated Government.
A consolidated Government must always respond
: the whole people of the United States. And can we
doubt what that wish is now. or shortly will be-
upon the subject of savery2 If we do, we must
shut our eyes to the numerous signs which visi
BILE IN every part of the political horizon. 1t is said
Congress will never interfere with slavery within the
bounds ola State! Even suppose could have the
most undoubted assurance of this fact there
OF annoyance and destruction of this Institution with
out venturng within the limits of State, which
all powerful and consolidated Government easily
put into operation. The individual right of
to tyranny. revolution, certainly all
that was meant by our complicated theory OF Gov
eminent; if it was, great deal of useless labor
was taken to express right we enjoy in common
with the poorest slave, or the humbest worm which
is trod upoR-he mere robbers right
"That they should take who have the power,
And all should keep who can."
1t would be an humble boast of our experiment in
the science of Government to admit, that it meant
nothing more than this
The wise men who framed our Government, were
not only lovers of liberty, but they established
tain checks and balances with hope of preserving
and perpetuating that liberty and among the chief and
efficient of these, the rights reserved the
STATES, in their organized communities political
powers. The true question then for TO decide is
this, does the State of North Carolina as an organ
lied political community, possess the right to secede
withdraw from the Union in the General Gov
erument wilfully oms refuses to fulfill her const-
tional obligations, in order to protect her citizens
against an unconstitutional oppressive act of the
General Governments and for the purpose Of making
vided allegiance of all the inhabitants within her
territory
Unless the people of the State possess this right,
and have surrendered it by the Constitution of
the United States, is sheer folly talk of their
served rghts-they have none, and the sooner it is
known, the better it will be for all parties concerned.
This right undoubtedly intended by the trainers
Of theory of Government the great safety valve
of the Unon--the only means by which it could be
=. preserved, and prevented from rushing, upon
hand into consolidation, TO the destruction of our lib
erty; and upon the other into instructions and do
lnestic violence, destructive of all order.
1t is said by many, who admit the right to exist.
that it is imprudent to assert it, The minority
cannot perceive any imprudence in asserting it; but
on the contrary, they believe, that its distinct and
unequivocal avowal, will do more to settle our diff
culties, and awaken the whole North TO tho danger
she is bringing upon the Union, than all the resolu
tions of resistance and rebellion we pass. The
majority of The people of State will never consent
to Withdraw from the Union. except upon the most
solemn deiberation, and the fullest conviction That
such step is the only left them 90 protect
their rights from intoerabe tyranny and oppression
Among the few subjects which could possibly In
ducea Stale withdraw from the Union, negro Slavery
stands preeminent. This institution forms the sub
stratum of southern society. 1t is intimately con-
nected with social and domestic relations, that its
distinctions or material injury. would not only pro-
duce universal poverty, bur overthrow States. This
vast Institution unk 10 majority Of the States
of the Union and is regarded with hostility by
iority of the people of those Staes certainly then, it
any question can ever arise, of sufficient magnitude
20 call into action any reserved powers, which may
exist the preservation of the Union and protection
of the people. this question is one
hitter sarcasm against the honor and justice OF the
people OF the United States, to assert that the exer-
3 else of this power would necessarily destroy onr
Union The Constitution of the United Staies makes
provisions ior its amendment; should any one State
determine withdraw from the Unon before taking
that rep she would doubtless inform the rest OF the
States and the world, of the reasons which had in
uced her 10 take so solemn and important position.
Would it not then be the interest, well he duty,
Of the other Seatss amend the Constitution OF
The United States, disspate all snch fears, and
remove the danger which had forced the Withdraw ing
sStata from the Uniona We are continually amend
inc State Constitutions; why Is tive cannot amend
he Constitution of the United Safest Is that the
onlv instrument ofhe kind which is perfect thai
it1cannot be amended Let the constant agitation
and discussion of its powers answer the question
Upon this slavery question alone, why should no
ne be SO amended to calm the fears
ct the Sonihern people, and place u beyond doubt
that CONGRESS- never would, in any manner, attemp