The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-24
"NON.INTERTENTION."

| NuN-IN IEntEN
The term Non- Intervention is used, not to
define, but to conceal system of policy. IL has
plausible sound, but devilish sense. The
Northern admirers of General Cass, and those
Democrats in the free States who follow tho
lead of the Washington Union, may think us
uncharitable; they imagine that by the Non-ln-
tervention of the General Government in rela-
Tdn 10 TSiaSerS Is meant re- ,0,dt aosunence from
all action for or against the system; but If they
will honor us with their attention for few min.
utes, we will convince them that its true mean
ing. as understood by the Washington Union and
the South, is, action in favor of Slavery nOn-dc'iOn
against it.
In the year 1891, in reply to petition present
ed to Congress to go to the verge of its constitu-
tional powers for the purpose Of meliorating, and
finally extinguishing Slavery it was resolved that
Congress had no power to interfere with the sub
ject in any way in the States.
That was Nom ntsrueation
In 1898, Congress passed an act, providing for
the arrest of fugitive slaves and their surrender
to their masters, imposing upon various judicial
tribunals and ministerial officers these duties
Was that, Non Iaterreiion 1t was positive in
PREVENTION by the Federal Government in behalf
of Slavery.
From 1889 to 1908, slaves were imported from
Africa into this country, in American vessels un-
der the flag of the Union and had any Power
attempted to seize an American ship thus en-
ployed, the Federal Government would have
sought redress at all hazards, and to the last ex-
tremity.
Was this, Non IatnUentiOH?
In lsOI-'2, the District of Columbia was ceded
TO the United Sta .es, the Government Of which
re6nacted the slave codes Of Maryland and Vir-
GINA, by positive statute; and from that hour to
the year Of our Lord 1880, Slavery and the Slave
Trade have existed in this District by act Of
Congress.
Is this, Nor Intervention? 1t is palpable and
perpetual action by the Federal Government in
favor of Slavery.
In 1903, the Territory of Louisiana, and in
1920, that of Florida, were coded to the United
States, the Government of which, by positive
enactment, continued in force the slave laws Of
those Territories, and allowed citizens of any of
the States settling therein, to carry slaves with
them.
Was that, Non-Iaterrentioa?
When Henry Clay was Secretary of State the
Government through him made overtures to Eng
land for the negotiation of treaty to surrender,
on demand slaves having escaped from the Unit
ed States into Canada.
Was that, Non Iaerpention2
When the South American Colonies were con-
tending for their independence against Spain, our
Government used its influence to prevent de-
scent upon Cuba by the patriots, and even men,
aced them with its power, should they attempt it.
alleging in its justification that such a movement
might produce emancipation, thereby endanger-
ing the slave institution of this Union.
Was that Non hterpsntion?
BY act of Congress, the transportation of slaves
from one port to another, in other words, the
coastwise slave trade, is regulated it being pro-
vided that no vessels of less than forty tons shall
be engaged therein.
Is this, Non-Ia,erremiOn
Some fifteen years ago. warm and protracted
controversy carried on between the Govern
ment of this country and that of England, in re-
Iation to certain slaves, who, on their way from
Richmond, Virginia, in American vessels, to the
South, were driven by stress of weather into GER
tain ports in the British West Indies--our Gov
eminent insisting that according to the law of
nations the British Government was bound
either to deliver them up, or make compensation
for them.
Was that, Non Intervention?
A few years ago, Mr.. Calhoun, being then Sec
rotary Of State undertook, in his official charac-
ter to Justify tho system of Slavery and dcnounce
as wrong and highly Injurious the act by which
Great Britain had enamel pated the slaves in her
colonies: and the Government, under his influence,
sought by the most strenuous efforts to bring
about the annexation of Texas, avowedly and
chiefly for the purpose Of preventing the abol-
ton of Slavery therein, and the injurious conse
quences that would result from such an act to
the institutions of the South. We refer for
proof to the State papers o: that period
Was that, Nom Intervention?
Trxaswas brought into the Union with large
slave population, and an area large enough for
the formation of FIVE large slave States, the Unit
e States conseuting although they had the power
to make the removal of Slavery an indispensable
condition to annex ,tion.
BY that act Of the Government foreign State
was enabled TO secure a representation for its
slaves in an American Congress, and to reclaim
its fugitive slaves in any State Of this Union.
Was that, Nom IaierUenfiOa?
At this time a bill is before the Senate of the
United States, proposing to give some thirty or
forty thousand creatures Of the Federal Govern
ment, scattered throughout the States the power
to arrest, try, and deliver up, any persons charged
with being fugitves from service or labor-a bill
grossly insulting to the sovereignty Of the States
Is this, Nom ItTpea,ioa?
But the Washington Union and General Csss,
with their devoted followers, insist that Non-ln-
tervention is the policy of the National Demo-
cratic Party OF course, then, they deplore and
condemn the intervention Of the Federal Govern
ment in enacting the law of 1893, in resnacting
and maintaining Slavery and the Slave Trade In