The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-09

(Madison Papers, I'D vol p. 1857
George Mason, OF Virginia, said in the same conven
tion, that
Slavery disconraRss and manuiaelures The poor
despse labor when performed by slaves. They prevent the
emigration of whites. who really enrich and strengthen
Every Of slaves IL born petty yrant They
bring the Judgment Of Heaven country. As nations
must be ia this BY inevitable chain Of causes and ct
ect Providence Furnishes national by national cala
view, that the general government should have power
prevent the increase OF slavery.
And in the Virginia State Convention for the raica-
ton Of the constitution he said the importation OF slaves
into the colonies
Was one Of the great Of our separation from
Great Britain The augmentation Of slaves weakens the
iul 10 mankind As much as value Union Of all the
States would admit the southern States (Souh
disc'ntnuance OF this dsgrace trade, would
bring weakness and no. strength to the Union tElota
Debates on the Federal Consultation, 3D. vol 452
few words. sir. on the question Of the constitution
bearing on this subject. Il is in the words following
The migration importation OF such persons any
the States existing shall think proper admit shall
thousand eight hundred and eight; but tax or duty may
be such importation exceeding dollars
for each person.
The power Of Congress over the domestic and foreign
slave trade was suspended for twenty years only in the
States then eriing In the new States created after the
adoption OF the constitutions the trade could be instantly
prohibited This section OF the constitution framed
with great care and with design not only to favor the
gradual abolition of slavery but prevent its extension
into new States thereafter 70 be created And this sir
will prove by brief reference to the debates in the
Slate conventions held for the ratification OF the const
tuition.
IN the convention Of Virginia, opposition being made
emancipation, Governor Randolph said
hope that there is one here who, considering the
subject in The calm light Of philosophy. will advance
win b started that shse i spark Of hope thai these
unor hald
ton OF the general government, be made free. e8
Mr. Tyler, father OF the late President, in the same
convention zeaousy opposed this toeraton of the slave
trade till 1905 He would prohibit Immediately, say
ing:
My desire thar il may be handed down to pos
terty that oppose this wicked clause
Mr. johnson. in the same convention, said:
The principle of has begun since the revo.
luton. Let US do what we Will, il will come round.
Mr.. Mason Mr.. Jarvis, and Mr.. Dawson, all members
OF the convention, expressed the opinions, looking
forward to the eventual and not very abolition OF
slavery And IN these opinions they were sustained by
statesmen, holding high rank in the "Ancent Domin-
ion." A
Luther Martini adelegate from Maryland in the federal
convention of 1857, sand in the convention OF that Stale
upon the federal constitution:
We ought authorize the general government to make
such as may be thought most adyanaaeons for
the gradual abolition OF slavery and the emancipation of
slaves which are already in the States.
Mr. Iredell in the convention of South Carolina on
the federal constitution in speaking OF this clause, said
When the entire abolition Of slayery takes place. will
be which must be pleasing every generous mind
and every friend OF human nature.
Mr. Galloway. in the same convention, said;
wish this abom Unable trade put end ap-
prehend the clause 70 bring forward manumisson
In the convention OF Pennsylvania, Judge Wilson, who
had been member of the federal conventionA said:
ishng slavery this country i win produce the
kind OF gradual change as was produced In
Of Congress in this PARTICULAR and will
be introduced among them IL presents us with pleasing
established throughout the Union. Yet the lapse Of
few years. and Congress viii have power TO extpaie sa
very from our borders
In the convention Of Massachusetts, General Heath
said:
Slavery cannot be extended BY their ordinance Con-
gess has declared that new States shall be republican
States, and have no slavery.
In the same convention Judge DAVIS said:
Although slavery Is not snit,en by spoplexy. yet IL
has received mortal wound, and will die OF consum pon
time would permit show that expected on all hands
that slavery would at very remote PERIOD to
Isl in all the States Of the Union.
On the 18th OF May 1885, in the first Congress under
the constitution, the mpost bill being under considera-
ton, Mr. Parker from Virginia, moved TO insert clause
in the bill imposing duty on the importation Of slaves
OF ten dollars on each persons
lie was sorry he said that the constitution prevented
Congress from prohibiting the importation altogether he
thought defect in the instrument that allowed such
ought not 10 be per mitted; bat could do all the
good he DESIRED he wiling do what lay in his power
He regarded the traffic as inhuman
and hoped Congress would do all that lay In their power
70 human It's Inherent privileges and pos
sibe wipe off the stigma under which America abored The
Inconsistency In principle with which we are justly
charged, should be done away, that we may show by our
actions the pure benecence o the doctrine we hold out
TO the world In our Declaration OF Independence.
Mr. Madison was in favor Of Mr. Parker's PROPOSE
ton, and expressed his views the following language
conceive the constitution. In this particular was form
ed in order that the whilst IL restrained
from laying total prohbon might be able 70 give some
testimony Of the sense Of America wih respect @ The A
by expressing anatona disappoba,on Of this trade,
may destroy H. and ourselves from reproeche and
our posterity the mbcciy ever attendant OF country
filled with slaves
Every addition the States receive their number Of
der iho,n capable Of defence In OF hostes
with foreign natons hey will be the OF inviting at
tack instead frepclng INVASION Is duty Of
The general protect every part o. their con-
thing therefore, which tends increase danger though IL
Ii be local affair, yet, II involve national expense
safety, become. Of concen 10 every part o. The Union and
proper subject for the consideration OF those charged
with general administration OF thesgovernment (Vlde
Debates Congress of l7ss, old series, VOL $40 TO
354) A4s88
Ifhc views thus expressed by Mr. Madison be correct
II is the bounden duty Of Congress to exclude slavery
from the Territories OF the United States. Nothing
tending weaken and render them less capable Of self
toral governments involve national expense and there
fore every part Of the Union and proper sub
jecs for the consideration Of the general government
will now, sir, pass 10 southern opinion in
regard to slavery, OF more recent date. In January,
1892 Mr. Randolph introduced into the house OF dele
<su,o foxf