Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-08-01

bill being under consideration, Mr.. Parker,
from Virginia, moved TO insert a clause 10
the bill imposing duty on the importation
of slaves Of ten dollars on each person
:" lilo vas sonny be said, shat the constitu-
ton prevented Congress from prohibiting the
Importation altogether; be thought il defect in
the instrument that il SLOWED Rseh 4 Practice
it was contrary TO the Revolution principles, and
ought not 70 be permitted; but ~ be could net
do all the good he desired, be IVES willing to do
what lay in his power. He re.
garded the traffic q inhuman, and
hoped that Congress would do all that lay in
their power 10 restore 10 human nature iis inner
ent privileges. and, if possible wipe of the etig-
ma under which America labored. Tbs incon-
sIs'ency in our principles, with which we ara
justly charged, should be done away, that We
may show, BY our actions, the pure benefcence
Of The doctrine We hold out 10 the world in our
Declaration Of Independence"
Mr.. Madison was in favor Of Mr.. Par
ker's proposition, and expressed his views
IL the following languags:
81 conceive the constitution, in this particu.
lar. was formed in order thai the Government,
whilst it was restrained from laying total pro-
hbition, might be able to give some testimony
Of the sense OF America with respect to the At
rican slave trade" I'll is to be hop.
ed that, BY expressing na,iousl disapprobason
Of this trade. We may destroy il, and save our
selves from reproaches, and our posterity the i'm
becility ever attendant on q country SLED with
slaves"
"Every addition the States receive TO their
number Of slaves" continued Mr.. Madison,
"tends to weaker and render them less capable
Of sell defence. In case of hostilties with for
eign nations, they will Se the means Of inviting
attack instead OF repell:ng invasion. II is a me-
cessary duty Of the General Government to pro-
tect every part Of their confines against danger,
as well internal Is external. Every thing, there
fore, which tends to increase danger, though it
be local affair, yet. if it involve national ex-
pense or safety, becomes OF concern to every
part Of the Union, and is proper subject for the
consideration Of those charged with the general
administration Of the Government."-VideD De-
bales in the Congres. Of I7e9, old series, vol,
p. $40 10 1854.
If the views thus expressed by Mr.. Msdi-
son be correct, it is the bounden duty of
Congress to exclude slavery from the Ter
ritories Of the United States. Nothing ten
ding to weaken and render them less capa-
BILE of selfdefence should be allowed to ex-
ist within them. Territorial governments
involve national expense, aud therefore con-
Germ every part Of the Union, and are prop
er subjects for the consideration Of the Cen
eral Government.
l will now, sir, pass to Southern opinion
in regard TO slavery, Of a more recent date.
In January, 1882, Mr.. Randolph inirodu-
ced into the House of Delegates in Virgin
ia proposition for the gradual abolition of
slavery in that ancient Commonwealth.
The subject gave rise to an animated de-
bate, which was conducted with great abil-
ity and eloquence by the speakers who took
part in the discussion. The following are
extracts from some of the speeches deliver
ed on the occasion:
MIR. Boiling, Of Buckingham. said:
"This is grave and important subject; one
that ought to be and will be considered. Its i'm
portnnce demands that it should be considered
and debated here; and is not, as some genlle-
men think, q reason that il should be passed in
silence, and acted upon in secret No, sir, our
action should be calm and dspassionate, but
open, bold, and manly. Sir, that it is an evil, a
great and appalling evil, he dared believe no
sane man would or could deny Nor, sir, can il
be denied that it deprives Us of many of those
advantages, facilities, and blessings which We
should enjoy had we more dense white popula-
lion. That it is blighting, wiihering curse up
on this land is clearly demonstrated BY this We
ry discussion ITSELF
Notwithstanding Eastern gentlemen had
waxed so warm, there are many, very many in
Eastern Virginia who had rather resign their
rto ek,r h. nf
slavery: many who had rather turn them loose
and leave them behind, while they should seek
happier clime-a land alike stranger 10 slaves
and slavery"
Mr.. Marshall, Of Fauquier, said:
aThe ulmest latitude Of debare had already
been tolerated, and no injury could now accrue
from a temperate expression Of his sentiments ON
the general question He felt himselfa at liberty
to say that he was opposed to slavery rs a prac.
teal evil. He objected TO slavery, not because
it implies moral turpi,ude, or because it is q sin
10 be the owner Of slave. If it be . sin, let il
fall on those who introduced the evil and have
it to their offspring. Where
fore, then object to slavery? Because it is ruin
to The whites, retards improveI ent, roots out
40 industrious population, banishes the yeonan-
ry of the country, depnves the spinner, the wes-
yer, the smith, the shoemaker. the carpenter, Of
employment and support. Our towns are sta
tionary, our villages almost every vhere dccllu-
ing, and the general aspect Of the country marks
the curse Of wastefui, idle, reckless popula-
lion, who have no interest in the soil, and care
not how much it 10 impoverished"
Mr.. Chandler, Of Norfolk:
81 took occasion to observe that believed
the people of Norfolk county would rejoice, could
they, even in the vista OF time, see some scheme
Tor the gradual removal Of this curse from our
land. | was DESTROYS TO see report from the
Committee declaring the slave population IN
evil, and recommending to the people Of this
the adoption of some plan for
ts riddance."
Mr.. Berry, Of Jefferson
"Sir, believe that 10 cancer on the physical
body was ever more certain, steady, and fatal in
Is progress than il this cancer on the political
,ody Of the State Of Virgins. admit that we
ire not 10 be blamed for the origin Of this evil
lnong US: we are not 10 be blamed for its exis-
ence now, but We shalt deserve tho severest
:ensure if VIC do not take measures, a. soon a.
,ossble, 10 remove It =
Mr.. Faulkner, Of BeheIy: