Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-03-16

First, as a result Of the voluntary act OF an
individual who sells himself into slavery.
Second, as consequence Of debt.
Third, for crime.
Bringing the matter down 10 the Christian
era, he alluded, at some length, 10 the feel
ing in large portion Of the community, the
conscientious belief, that, slavery is sin,
and incompatible with Christian sentiments
of brotherly Kindness. He expressed his
own conviction that there was an honest be-
lief of this character. There were men in
the community who, in The too hot pursuit of
one duty, forget that there are many other
duties which they overlook. Therefore, mon
who suppose that they can distinguish be.
tween right and wrong, with the certainty OF
an algebrac equation-who regard nothing
good that is not perfec,--or if they see spot
upon the sun, consider that reason for striR-
ing the sun from heaven. There were men
too impatient TO wait for the slow and gra-
dual working of great moral causes. They
forget that the miracles Of Christ, in eighteen
hundred years, have converted but a small
portion ofthe world 1t was this state of feel.
ing which had done much toward creating
the present difficulty. What was the feeling
on The part of the most eminent public mon
III relation TO the institution of slavery? 1t
was formerly denounced throughout, the coun-
try-not as cruel and inhuman-but as po-
lical evil injurousIy substituting slave for
free labor, and consequently the most eminent
public men commented with great acerbity
upon the conduct of the mother country, who
TO favor the navigator, inflicted the evil upon
the colonies. The question in the early days
Of the Government was not whether slavery
was an evil. That was admitted. The ques-
tion was how the evil should be dealt with.
1t was thought that IFS day would be shorten
ed by prohibiting the importation of slaves,
and proposition was introduced to prohibit
such importation twenty years hence. This
time was objected to by MIR. Madison, amsng
other prominent Southern men, as being too
long. He feared, as he ,sij, too much Of this
evil might be introduced if so much opportu-
nifty was allowed. 1t would be observed that
the word ''slavery" was not made US Of in
the constitution-perhaps in consequence of
the wish expressed by Mr.. Madison; that he
did not want to see the institution of slavery
recognized in the constitution.
MIR. Webster thought that there were two
historical truths which must be clear to all.
Frst-fherC was an expectation, formerly
that upon the suppression OF the importation
of slaves, slavery would begin to run out
Second-That so far as there was any pow.
er in Congress TO prevent the spread OF sla-
very in the United States, i, would use il in
the most absolute and decided manner,
He alluded to the ordinance prohibiting ais
very in the Northwest Territory. MIR. Cal.
houn had said that "this was the first Of tho
series of measures calculated TO weaken the
South" He desired 10 say, in reply, that the
) ordnance was passed with the unanimous
consent of the South-there being but one
vote against it--and that one representative
from the North. Since that time there had
been great change in opinion, both north
) and south. Slavery was not now regarded
by the south as it then was. There had been
continual and growing opinion in the North
agains, slavery, and a growing opinion in the
South in its favor. Now it was considered
an institution of great interest and value 10
D her prosperity.
This state of things resulted from causes
t which would always produce like effects.
D The interests of men-the change Of opinion
: in the South--had resulted, in great mea.
sure, from the growth and in rease of cotton
raising in the South. 1t was well known
that in l7e4, the value of cotton exported
, from The United States did not exceed fifty
thousand dollars; while now, under favora.
| BILE circumstances, its value was, perhaps, one
hundred millions of dollars per annum. In
| those days there were more of wax, indigo,
, and almost anything else exported from the
South than cotton. r
Indeed, he was told, that when Jefferson
2 negotiated the treaty of 1874 with England
: lie did not know that cotton was raised in
: this country at all, and when the first ship
I ment Of cotton reached a port in England,
|, and was sought to be admitted there, under
1. the provisions of the treaty, it was objected
. to upon the ground that it could not be; an
: American product, as no cotton was raised
> there. England would hardly say that now
n / (I.aughisr)
c Mr. Webster replied to Mr.. Calhoun's OBJ
4 lection, that the operation of the Government
: had been against the South, and was calcu.
4. lated to weaken her. He conended thar the
4 contrary was the fact, so far as the legiti.
mate effect of Legislation was concerned. In.
: deed, much direct, Legislation had beer, ,adop'
: ted expressly for the benefit Of the South
3 In support of this proposition he REQUIRED )
the voting of the admission of Eou!:.s'
/ Alabaga, and commented 1T w 10 ,"., aa
upon the admission Of Tex', Hs ,.s.rs. s'
especially 70 fhe action of the Democracy .
the NohH' II relai' on to Texas, and incideu
'a'iy o 'he curse pursued by the same par
.yln Inc Senate. When, at the commence
r"ert of the war with Mexico, MIR. Berrien in.
'roduced proposition in the Senate 10 the
: effect that il should not he nro.ao,,.d ,r;,b I.