Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-12-19

large extent, and pervades every
rank and condition in life, and un-
less allayed, and other counsels pre-
vail, collisions between government
and people may produce civil war,
o. which no one can predict the con-
sequences to the General or Ssnfs
Governments.or to freedom through
out the world. F17-
The question Of human ,lavsrv
IS, and ever has been, a subiec, II
discord in the relations the sev.r,I
States bear to each other, and 10 iha
General Government. which is bound
10 protect the constitutional rights
and interest Of Teach.
The Democratic party ever has
aqd ever will oppose either the diffn-
sion or extension Of slavery into any
free territory Of the United States,
BY every legal and constitutional
means, and would rejoice if any
mode, not doing violence to others,
could be devised "to ovsrthrow and
eradicate the evil"
That Congress, having by the
Constitution authority to legislate
for the district Of Columbia, "in all
cases whatsoever" may there abol-
ish it, entertain no doubt; Congress
is by the Constitution, the local leg
islaiure Of the District, and all cases
within the legitimate sphere OF legiS-
lation are embraced within the terms,
sin all cases whatsoever" as used in
that instrument. .a
Congress appears to me 10 possess
the same legislative power over
slavery within the ten miles square,
that may be exercised by the legisla-
lures OF the slave States over it with
in their jurisdictions; and that il has
been considered in those States, a
proper subject Of legislation, their
history furnishes the most satisiactO-
Try evidence.
have ever viewed the abolition
Of slavery in the District, not only a
measure Of expediency, but OF abso-
lutte natural right to the colored race.
The South would doubtless acquiesce
in such a measure; for if we expect
to remain one people there is an ab-
solute necessity Of adhering 10 the
| decisions Of Constitutional msjorities,
within their legitimate spheres Of ac-
lion.
Butthe abolition Of slavery in the
District of Columbia, and in the
slave States, in my opinion, stand
upon different grounds as to the
power Of Congress over it.
i. The Executive of Vermont, in his
late message TO the General Assem-
bly,, intimates the opinion that Con-
|, gress may abolish slavery in the
States where it now exists. How
far this opinion prevails am not in
+ fomed, but believe the exercise Of
any such authority by Congress
; would be followed by dissolution
oil the Union. The South would
, then be driven to it, to preserve their
peculiar institution under their own
! local authority.
Il The entire South, and | believe a
large majority o. the North, would
look upon such action as an unwar-
ranled usurpaiion by Congress, for
which there is no authority, express
ly granted or fairly to be implied,
from the Constitution OF the United
States.
The excitement to which | have
before referred, appears to have en-
tirely grown out OF the passage, ap-
proVal, and partial execution, in a
few instances. Of what is called the
Fugitive Slave Law, by Congress.
Conventions have denounced il as
unconstitutional. The Clergy have
declared it in opposition to the high
er law Of God, and therefore void.
The slave and the citizens have been
advised and invited to arm and op-
pose the execution of this law, to
+ the shedding Of human blood, and
+ all this is done in the peaceabIe and
orderly State Of Ohio, and think is
the result Of mistaken judgment; if
not, and the law is actually void,
they are right, and could justify the
noble impulses which prompt inter-
ference between freedom and serv-
itude, in opposition TO law, whether
white or black. But let US for a mo-
ment search after truth, and if we
find il, acknowledge its force. Let
the ground we occupy, at least, be
well considered, before we hasten to
results calculated to weaken the pub
lie confidence in the supremacy of
our laws and the wisdom and stabili-
ty Of our institutions.
There is, | think, no doubt, that
the Supreme Court Of the United
States will sustain every provision Of
this law, as constitutional, when the
occasion shall arise. One Of its
northarn members has alreadv dome