The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-06-26

J Of Slavery in Congress was only one
| ofthe means they relied on TO overthrow
this institution throughout the Unions
Newspapers were set up amongst them,
land lecturers were'hired to 90 abroad
TO excite them sgainst Slavery in the
Southern States. Organizations were
formed to carry off slaves from the
South, and 10 protec, them by violence
from recupture. Although the Consti.
tuition requires that fugitive slaves, like
fugitives from justice, should be render
ed up by tho States 10 which they may
have fled, the legislatures Of almost
every Northern State, faithless to this
treaty stipulation between the States,
passed laws designed and calculated
entirely 10 defeat this provision of the
Constitution, without which the Union
would have never existed, and by these
laws virtually nullifed the act Of 1894,
passed by Congress 10 aid its enforce.
ment. Not content with The agitation
of Slavery in political circles, the
Northern people forced it also into the
religious associations extending over
the Union, and produced separation
Of the Methodist and Bab,ist churches.
The result of all these various methods
Of assailirg Slavery in the Southern
States, was, that it became the grand
topic ofinterest and discussion in Con.
grcss and ou, of Congress, aud one Of
the most important elements Of politics
in the Union. Thus all institution,
belonging 10 the Southern States cx-
clasivcly, was wrested from their en-
elusive control; and instead of that
protection which is the great object Of
all governments, anl which the Con-
s,itu,ion of the United States guaran.
tees to al! the States and their inslitu-
lions, the Northern States, and Con.
gress under their control, combined
together, to assail and destroy Slavery
in the South. The Southern States
did nothing 10 vindicale their rights and
arrest this course Of things. The
Mexican war broke out; and instead Of
.ha: patriotic cooperation Of all sections
Of the Union, which would have taken
place in the better days of the Repub-
lie, TO bring it to a just and honorable
conclusion, in the very first uppropria-
iIou bill to carry il on, the North en-.
,icuvored 10 thrust in the subject of
Slavery. rhroughou, the war, they
kept up lie agitation; thus clearly
manifes,ing their determination tina,
the General. Government in none Of its
operations, inlcrna! or external, shall be
exempted from The introduction Of this
dangerous subject. The war closed
with honor; and on immense territory
was added TO the United States. Their
previous threats were realized: and the
non- n-slaveholding States Immediately
claimed the right TO exclude the people
Of the Southern States from all the
territory acquired, and to appropriate ii
| to themselves. lfthis prelcnsion arose
from mere lust Of power, it would be
| hard 10 bear the superiority and muste.
ry il implies. 1t would degrade the
Southern States from being the equals
Of the Northern States, to a position Of
colonial interiorily. But when your
exclusion is not from n mere lust of
power, but is only further step in The
progress Of things, aiming at the uboi.
ton of Slavery in the States, by the
extension and multiplication Of non
slaveholding States in the Union, the
prctcDslon is seen 10 be as alarming as
it is insulting. The Southern States,
in their Legislatures set forth with
great unanimity the rights in our ter.
ritories belonging 10 them in comr,on
with the Northern S,ntcs, and declared
their determination TO maintain them;
and finding in the Northern States no
disposition to abate their demands, the
Convention in which we are assembled,
has been brought together to take coun-
sci as TO the course the Southern States
should pursue, for the maintenance of
their rights, liberty and honor.
Such is brief. but imperfect state
ment Of past transactions: ard they
force upon us the question, in wha,
condition do they place The Southern
States! And first, what is their condi-
tion in Congress? The time was when
your Representatives. in Congress,
were neither offered, nor would they
endure, reproach in your behalf But
for many years past, they have heard
you in Congress habitualy reviled by
the most approbrious cpilhets on nc.
count ofthc institution Of Slavery. If
their spirits are yet unbrokcn, they
must be chilled by sense Of humilu-
ton at the insults the daily receive as
your representatives. You arc ar