Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1850-03-22

country by hocks. This all took place in
the winter of '4s. The digging did not
commence till the spring of '4s, and
since then gold digging has been prosecu
ted with a success hitherto unknown. All
know how incredulous the American pub
lie were at first; but all know how rapid
ly, from that time to the present, assuran
ces OF the existence of these almost mex
haustible mines of gold have come upon
us.
1T was known also, that it became hioh
ly proper to provide suitable Territorial
Government for these people; but owing
to differences existing in the Legislature
no such government was established at
the last session.
ondef these circumstances, the people
,nhabiting the country. under procluma
ton Issued by Gen. Riley, elected a con-
vention, which framed a Constitution:
that Constitution has been ratified;
State Legislature have been chosen, and
Senators and Representatives have been
sent here, who bring with them an au
then!ic copy of the Constitution, and ask
for their State admission into the Union.
This Constitution contains an express
prohibition of slavery in California. 1t is
said, and he supposed truly, that in the
Convention which formed this Constitu-
ton, there were thirty members who for
merly resided in the slave States, and fif-
ty who had not.
The noise in the passages leading TO
the galleries and the Senate floor was
here so great that Mr. w. had to pause
for several minutes till order was restored.
1t could not be denied that it was this
circumstance-the prohibition of slavery
which has contributed to raise the dis
pute about the propiety of admitting
California as a State.
1t could not be said now-whateyer
might have been given at first as rea-
son for the war with Mexico--that it was
not prosecuted for The acquisition of Ter
ritory. 1t was argued that the only
proper Mode of obtaining indemnity for
the expenses OF the war was to tai n Icr-
ritory. And as the acquisitions az laid
south Of the United States, and in warm
climates, it was naturally expected by
the South, all acquisitions of territory in
that region would be added to the
slaveholding States. Events have not
turned out to be so; their expectations
have not been realized and hence their
discomfort And now that question, sla,
very, which has so often alarmed the
wise and good men of the country, comes
upon us for fresh discussion.
Hesaid he would review historically
the question of slavery, partly because
its characterand the mode of discussing
it hove been the cause of great alienation
of kind and friendly feelings.
Slavery existed in all ages OF the
world 1t existed among the oriental ma
tions, 1t existed among the Jews, and
the theocratic government of that peo-
pie madeno charge of injustice against
it. Slavery existed among the Greeks,
and the philosophy of that people found
the same excuse for it as is set up in this
country byits defenders and advocates.
They justified slavery on the ground of
the inferiority of the African, compared
with the white race. They did not un-
dertake to show, by close logic, that the
right consisted in the power of the strong
over thew weak, but placedit on the ground
of the inferiority of the negro race.
The more manly, jurisprudence of the
Romans justified it on one other ground.
From the earliest jurisprudence down TO
the fall Of the empire, it was held that
slavery was against natural law, but JUS
tilted on the law of nations then recog-
nised; they argued by that law captives
taken in war might be held till ransom
ed: or they might, in exchange for death,
voluntarily become slaves; that Their con
dition as slaves descended to their poster
ity. They also held that man might
voluntarily sell himself to another rs a
slave, for debt; and thirdly, that persons
could be made slaves Of for crimes.
Atthe introduction of Christianity the
Roman world was full of slaves; and no
| injunction against that condition of man
was found in the preaching of the gospel
Of Jesus Christ on ofany of the apostles.
The object of instituting, of founding
Christianity, WAS to touch the heart and
improve the mind of man. It's object
was to operate en- the individual heart
and mind of man. ~