The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-04-17

that wise, moderate. and Just rule shish
the supreme court has laid down, by
which the life Of an unfortunate slave
was saved. who, smarting under gros.
Entertainment, had upon the instant Ia.
ken the life Of white man, and with a
weapon likely to Kill. Sir, we ought
70 underestimate wish our northern
friends to understand. that, in dealing
with this subject, they are not dealing
with inhuman relations Of society exist
ing among a savage people. but with an
institution existing in Christian land,
in which slaves are ruled by Christian
masters, in which their condition is MI
tigated BY the operation Of the princi-
Piles Of Christianity, aud therefore there
should be no state Of mind among our
friends Of the North, founded upon
another aud mistaken supposition un-
just to Us, and which. at this particular
juncture, is calculated to produce very
mischieyous results.
But then, sir, slavery must be remem-
bered and looked at in another point of
view. 1t is with Us " a fixed fact" the
origin of il is a matter Of no sort Of inn
portance in the inquiry how this subject
is to be dealt with. In the origin OF
African slavery here, as far as lcgisla-
tive action is concerned, we have a
Common compliant against the mother
Country, before our revolution. As far
as individual conduct is concerned, the
only difference between ourselves and
the North is, that their ancestors
brought slaves to ours, and ours pur-
chased them of theirs. Here they are
three millions Of them. They cannot
be removed they cannot be enancipat-
ed. There they must be there they
must continue as slaves. Whether il
is desirable in itself that they should
continue or not as slaves, is matter Of
no importance to determine, because it
is impossible that the two races can co..
exist under any other relations than
those which now subsist between them.
Its no crime against humanity to main
tain these relations for | defy the wit
of any man to point out any change in
the general relation of the slave popnla-
ton in the South by which their condi-
ton would not be rendered vastly
worse. their happiness diminished, their
hardships increased, their food and
clothing lessened, and their condition
made in every respect intolerabie. We
must, tlien, b. permitted to do tie best
We can. Ifthere be wrong in The slaves
being among us, il is wrong for which
we are no more responsible than our
northern brethren. We will not go
back again to cast reproach upon the
ancestors of either; but in the actual
bringing of the African race here, in Che
planting of them upon our soil in state
Of bondage, they are just as much in
volved in the offence--if offence il be-
as We ourselves.
Well. then. Mr. President. The question
arises-ior il is to this particular purpose
that ! make these renarks-whai is il
that we have right To ask Of our north
ern and northwestern friends and fellow
ia reference 10 The subject oil sla-
very! Being an existing institution. be-
ing such one as have described lit be-
ing absolutely necessary and inevitable, 80
far as any human legislation can be
brought 10 bear. ar any human foresight
is 10 discover, tina! il must cunlinae-what
have we a right to ask from our northern
friends!
In The first place. we have right 10
ask an eiIeclua bill Far The recaplure of FL.
gilive slaves. That must lie al The foun-
,lilou Of any paritiraiion OF feeling he
tween The North aud The Suulh. " illl-
on, il. every attempt to settle The agia!ing
question will be as insecure aud iollering
as house built wilhou, a suitable foun-
daiinn. This is question OF right: this
is demand founded upon The runsii.n.
ton: this j. moi matter Of question or de-
bate. If there is anything in the consii.
luton free from doubt. difficulty, or dis.
puie. il is that that instrument gives us
right 10 have our fugiiives surrendered 10
10. Ii The constitution gives that right.
i gives us. as a necessary consequence Of
i, right To demand an e0ccIual bill 10
larry out the designs OF the constitution
and as FAR as human means " i'll
avail. certainly.
Now, Mr.. President. | desire TO say
ew words upon the subjcc, Of this bill
what il should be. what is the remedy
which we have right To ask. aud which
he constitution guarantees 10 us.
In The first place. remark tina, the fra
ners Of The constitution designed To carry
nj This prinriple-uFoa which this part
{ the constitution was foun,el-ilial. al.
hougl the States existed under sparaie
rganizalion, they should still he consi.
cred as one 10 this purpose; that each
hould repose entire and absolute conf |
ence in the integrity and capacity of The |
JUDICIAL tribunals aud legislation Of every |
lher Stale 10 administer justice in regard |
, all its citizens and subjects, and lhefe-
ore, that. both with regard 10 tugili,es
rom service and fngitives foni Justice,
here should he an imperative obligation 10