The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-20

still further aggrcssions by those who have vio-
lated their faith in every compromise ever made
J with them. A surrender OF right has seldom
ever stayed further aggression. Those who un.
justly demand wrong to-day, will have no scru-
Piles in doing the same thing Tomorrow; and those
who yield to an unjust demand once, will always
} lind the next more inordinate and insulting; and
scarcely ever has wrong been repealed as easily
il met at the threshold. So has Il truly been with
the Missouri compromise. Ii not only did not al
lay the mad fury OF Abolitioniss, but gave them
new zeal and confidence in their career. They had
converted slave territory into free soil, without
right, or color of right, and II was but natural
their energies should increase. Ble have not
time to dwell long upon the facts that mark the
progress of abolitionism, from the time of that
compromise to the present moment. IL there was
the slightest abatement in the agitation of the SUBJ
ject, never have been able to learn it, On the
other hand, it seems TO me the victory then con-
coded to It's advocates, but gave new vigor and
confidence to their energies, until their influence
has almost stricken down every obstacle to its
progress, until 1t controls the almost entire polit-
cal action of this Government. cannot better
portray It's progress than Garrison himself has re-
Gently done in AN abolition convention at Syracuse,
in which he congrauates his confederates on the
progress they have made, and the brilliant pros
poets before them. He contrasts the condition Of
abolition twenty years ago with what it is now
Then, says this apostle, the Governor Of Virginia
wrote a letter to the Governor of Massachusetts,
complaining of an abolition meeting held in the
city Of Boston. The Governor of Massachusetts
replied, she had made inquiry, and could hear Of
no meeting in Boston except that of ichie and a
negro man held in a garrett" Now their cause had
spread until millions its votaries throughout
the length and breadth of the land. He truly
enough describes the progress they have made,
and dwells, with unspeakabe delight, upon the in
fuence they have acquired, and the prospect of
J speedy abolition Of slavery throushoutthe Con-
federacy.
! am aware that 10 all this il will be replied, that
Garrison and his associates miserable band
of fanatics and madmen, unworthy of the notice
of statesmen; yet truth bears me oM when assert
that they have been, and are the pioneers in fact
in this unrighteous crusade against the principles
of the Constitution and the rights and honor Of the
/ South. They but mark out the road, and all, with
hut very few honorable EXCEPTIONS upon this floor
4 follow in their wake; and so far the practical
results 10 the South concerned, 1t is of but
little importance to what party they belong, or UNI
der what name they are known know a dis
tincton is attempted to be KEEP. up at the North
between those who are called Abolitioniss and
those who are not; but so far the records OF
this House will show, it seems to me it is dis
tlncton without n meaning, unless they mean that
one party aim openly to accomplish their object,
whilst the others dsavow il, yet always vote with
them when slavery is concerned. Let us see for
moment whether the action Of this House has not
kept good pace with Garrison and his band for the
last fifteen years. Then petitions for the abolition
Of slavery could not be received; now, your Clerk
/ desk almost groans under them. As late as 1888,
\ Atherton's resolutions passed this House, being
separated, by votes of from two to one to four
! ffths of this body, and are rs follow:
al. Rcsooed That this Government is Government of
limited powers that by the Constitution of the United
States Congress has no jurisdiction whatever
siiluon slavery several States Of the CDnfedu
@ Resoped, That petitions for the abolOn OF slavery
in the District OF Columbia and Territories OF The United
nd
another part OF the plan OF operations set on foot 10
titus Indirectly 10 destroy that institution within their limits.
90 Resolved That Congress has no right To do that nd
The subject of slavery in the District OF Columbia or the
Territpres, means and with view of disturbing
ing Tia, in the eyel States against
the true spirit meaning ofthr Constitution infringe
men of the right OF the States affected and brench OF the
public faith which they entered into this Confectionery
"a. Resore, That the Constitution rests the broad
principle of equality among the mmbers Of this Conted-
eracy and that Congress, in the exercise OF It's aeknow-
edged powers has right 10 discriminate between the in
situations of portion OF the states aud aioher, with
view or aboishinv the one and promoting the other
@ ResoIced therefore, That all attempts the part Of
Congress- abolish slave In the District OF Columbia or
the Territories 10 prohibit the removal of slaves from
State State discriminate between the institutions of
one portion OF the country and another, with the views
aforesaid violation Of the CONSTITUTIONS destructive Of
the fundamental principles which the union OF these
rests beyond the jurisdiction Of Congtess and
every petition, memorial resolution, proposition, or
ever 10 slavery, aforesaid the abolition thereof shall
the presentation thereof, without any further action
or referred"
Gentlemen from the North make no precedent
of those resolutions and the vote upon them now.
As late as 1912 the great abolition apostle and
martyr from Ohio Mr.. GDpNGsl received the
censure Of this House for Offering the following
resolutions:
"l Realped That, prior the adoption of Federal
Constitution, each of The several Stats composing this
Union exercised full and exclusive jurisdiction over the
subject OF slavery within is own territory ana possessed
, full power to continue or abolish u at PrasuIr.
go Resoiced That, by adopting the Constitution no part
aforesaid powers delegated 10 the Federal Gov
ernent, but reserved by and still pertain to each o
The several States.
80 Reo!rcd, That by the eighth section of the first a
Of Constitution each of the several States sirren
dcea the Federal Government all jurisdiction over the
subjects commerce and navigation upon the high
"a. Rcsolced, That slavery being abridgmcnt Of the
natural rights Of man. can exist only by force o positive
| jurisdiction Of the creating it,
8. Resoipcd That when ship belonging the citizens
Of such state and enters upon the high seas Tie rlso on
hoard be subject 20 the slave laws oi such State,
and therefore, governed in their relations TO each other
| by, aud amenabe TO- the laws Of the United States
80 Rcsotrca That when the brig Creole, ON her late pas
for New Orleans left the territorial jurisdiction Of Viz
gna slave laws o that State ceased 10 have jurisdiction
persons board said brig and such persons be-
came an,enabe only TO the laws Of the United States
t7 Rcsoired That the persons on board the said ship in
resmin; their natural rights of personal liberty, vio ted
law OF the Uned States Incurred no legal responsibility,
and are justly liable 10 no punishment
"s Rcsoeed That all attempts TO regain possession Of or
ton or laws United States, and Incompatible with
our national honor.
"9 ResoLcd That all attempts 10 national in
fue,ce of the coaswise slave lrade To place
this nation the attitude Of maintaining conlmerce in
human bengs,' sbversive of the rights and injurious
feelings OF the free States, unauthorized by the
Constitution, aud prendcal TO national character"
/ For introducing these resolutions, member Of
this House was promptly censured, (notwithstand-
| ing he withdrew them without testing vote,)
and returned TO his constituents to be reinstated
to his position. pass by the struggle made on
/ the question of abolition petitions, which has re-
suited at last in the reception of some eighteen
thousand, and also the progress toward the abo-
| liticn Of the slave trade within this District, to-
gether with the effort to allow the slaves themselves
to vote on that question, and come at once to res
ouons offered during this session by the same
distinguished leader from Ohio. They are as
| follow:
"Reoircd, That hold these truths to be self cvidcnt
that created equal that they endowed by
their Creator with the certain inai.Bable right 10 Tile and
liberty; and that governments constituted Tor the pr
| pose OF maintaining these rights.
" ReJired, That In constituting governments In ter
toiy OF the United States, il H. the duty OF Congress to
all the people thereof Of whatsoever compieno
L.. .,,,,.. ,snEs l.a 90. ra-otd