The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-07
Mr. billiard. Will the gentleman from
Ohio allow me to explain and correct him7

Mr.. billiard. Will the gentleman from
Ohio allow me to explain and correct him7
MIR. CAMPBELL. With great pleasure.
Mr.. billiard. said that | would refrain
from discussing the question rs a moral one,
because we hold no power TO legislate on the
morality of the question. To enter into dis
cussion here on that point might be deemed nn
admission Of the jurisdiction Of Congress over
the iject
Mr.. CAMPBELL have not misunderstood
the honorable gentleman, although have not yet
had the pleasure of reading his printed speech
To come directly to the point, the gentleman can
now tell us whether he regards slavery as moral
evil or as a blessing.
Mr.. billiard. | do not regard it as moral
evil in the States where it exists
Mr.. CAMPBELL. Well, then, Mr. Chair
man, it will be my duty as well as my pleasure to
prove that il is moral curse. | shall do 80 by
referring directly to the opinions Of some men
which, notwithstanding my high regard for the
gentleman from Alabama, are entitled to far more
weight than his
Mr. billiard. will ask the gentleman
from Ohio question. Admitting 1t to be morally
wrOng, what right have we to legislate upon the
moral question:
Mr.. CAMPBELL. Sir, will answer the gen.
tleman's question by putting one to every member
of the Committee. Admitting il TO be morally
wrong how do you make it politically right You
cannot by any principle of philosophy that have
ever heard of make that which isabsolutely NOR
ally wrong politically right by legislation Why?
What power, asks the gentleman, in tone Of APP
parent triumph, have we, as the representatives
of the people, to legislate with view to promote
public morals Is it possible that such question
is seriously propounded, and must be seriously
answered What power What right A power
which is the foundation of all civilized govern
ment. The first great object of all law, of all
legislation, is to enforce that which is morally
right, and prevent that which is morally wrong.
IL is TO accomplish this grand purpose that Gov
ernments are instituted among men.
But, Mr.. Chairman let us proceed with an ex-
animation of facts bearing upon the moral, social
and political effects of Slavery, and show how far
Southern gentlemen, in the frenzy of their excite
ment have suffered themselves to depart from the
principles and feelings of their revolutionary an
cestors And, sir, in this connection, lay down
what may be regarded by some as bold propo-
stion assert, that one Of The gerry designs Of TIE
founders Of this R.pu5lie Hhen they rebeled against
HE po'rer of Gredt Britain, and formed union Of
the PrOrHceS 'raStO parent the extension Of Sdrey
| to do that which you denounce us as mad fanstics
for proposing, and for which, when accomplished
in part only, according to their designs, you say
you intend to destroy the great work of their
| hands-ths glorious Confederscy Of Staes-ths
happy Union-which secures liberty to millions,
and his commanded the admiration Of the world
The gentleman from North Carolina Mr..
CLINGMANl boasts that the ball Of tne'Reso70tiou
was started at Mecklenburg, where a resolution
was passed in IVA. have looked into the his
tory of those days There weyp Elspy patriotic
meetings in the Sonh then. The gentleman VIII
permit me to show the reasons which led TO the
REBELLION
! Let US carry our imagination back TO Virginia,
the Old Dominion, as she was in IVA. i hold
in my hand the lst vol. 4th Series Of American
Archives, published by order of Congress. IL
contains an account Of various public meetings
held preparatory to the then approaching conflict
of those weak Colonies with the giant nation of
the earth, The patriots Of Virginia proposed a
State Convention at Williamsburg. County meet
ings of the people were held to appoint delegates,
and declare their principles and determinations
| Mr.. C. here read as follows, from page 523
"A meeting of the reshodes and other inhabitants Of
the county of Cupepper in Virginia, assembled at the
Courthouse Of the said county Thursday, the 5h OF
july IVA, to consider the most efectrs nssod 10 pre-
Serre the rights aud liberties Of America
HssRr PEsDLEros, Esq: Moderator
"Reolyed, That the importing slares and convict
wants is Injurious 10 his colony as obstrucs the popula
ton oft ruth feenen and uefl manufacturers and Hc
r not buy any such slare eonoc! seram hereafter
TO be imported"
This meeting appointed "deputies" to the con-
yention.
A VOICE. "That is only resolution against
| the slaUe traden
! Mr.. CAMPBELL. True such is the fact
But why did they resolve on this2 To prevent
the spread of slavery. Why7 Because it was a
political evil. There are tmo ways in which you
may extend slavery. One, by extending it over
new countries, opening new Notwithstanding
| the dsu@-a and consequently the value-thus in
ducing an increased production. The other, by
importations. The spirit of the resolution shows
that prohibition Of its extension was the design
But if gentlemen will be patient, | will not only
show that they opposed It's extension, but, even in
the South, sought the Union for the purpose Of
aJolishing it where it existed
Similar resolutions were passed by primary
meetings Of the people throughout Virginia and
other Southern provinces, now States