The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-23
LConcl,lded from asenud nnre. !

the Constitution 70 abolish slavery here | am
aware that South portion Of the South
does this resolution asks II asks of both parties to
iorbear urging their respective opinions-the one
TO the exclusion of the other. But il comedies to
the South all that the South, it appears to me-
ought IN reason to demand, inasmuch as il requires
such conditions amount TO an absolute security
for the property in slaves within the Distrct-such
conditions will make the existence of slavery in
the District coeval and coextensve with its exist
ence in any OF the States out of or beyond the Dis
trct The second clause of this resolution pro-
yides that II Is expedent to prohibit within the
District the slave trade in slaves brought into it.
Mr. President, if it be conceded that Congress
mas the power oil. legislation-exclusive legisla-
toh--ln all cases whatsoever how it be doubted
that Congress has the power to prohibit what is
called the slave trade within the District of Column
bla MY Interpretation of the Constitution is this
that with regard to all those portions of juris-
dicuon which operate upon the States, Congress
can exercise no power which is not granted, or
not necessary implication from a granted power.
such Is the rule for the action of Congress in rela
ton To its legislation upon the States. But in rea
ton to Its Legislation upon this District the reverse
take it, is the true rule--that Congress has all
power which is not prohibited by provision Of
the Constitution of the United States. In other
words, Congress has power within the District
equivalent 70 and coextensive with the power which
any State itself possesses within its own limits.
Well, can any one doubt the power and right of
any State in this Union--ofany slaveholding State
within its own limits? Why, almost every slave
holding state in the Union has exercised it's power
to prohibit the introduction of slaves as merchan-
disc. IL Is III the constitution of my own State !;
and, alter all the agitation and excitement upon
the Of slavery which has existed in the State
OF Kentucky during the last year, the same princi
pie il incorporated in the new constitution II is
IN the constitution, know, of Mississippi also.
That State prohibits the introduction of slaves with
in its limits as merchandise. believe it to be in
the constitution or laws of Maryland and Virginia,
and III the laws of most of the slayehoding States
IL is true that the policy OF the several savehold
ing States has vaCillatcd from time TO time upon
this subject-sometmes tolerating and sometimes
excluding the trade; bat there has never been the
slightest diversity Of opinion to the right-no de
parture from the great principle that every ono of
them has the power and authority TO prohibit the
introduction of slavery within their respective linn
its, II they choose TO exercise il.
Well, then, really DO not think that this resolu-
ton, which proposes to abolish that trade, ought TO
be considered as concession by either class OF
States 10 the other class. | think it should be
gardcd as an object acceptable To both, coniorma-
bic To the wishes and feelings of both and yet sir,
IN these times OF fearful and alarming excitement
IN these times when every night that go TO sleep,
and every morning when ! awake, it is with the
apprehension OF some new and terrible tidings upon
this agtating subject have seen, sir that in one
oil the neighborng States, amongst the various con-
hngencles which are enumerated upon the happen
ing of any Of which, delegates arc to be sent to
famous Convention, tn assemble in Nashville in
June next-amongst the substantive causes for
which delegates to be sent 10 the Convention TO
which refer one is, if Congress abolishes the slave
trade within the District of Columbia. That is to
be the cause for assembling in convention--in other
words, cause for considering whether this Union
ought to be dissolved not. Is 1t possible to con-
template greater extent of wildness and extrava-
gance 10 which men can be carried by the indul-
gence Ut their passions, Why, sir, there has been
mo- time in my public life-in which statement l
concur with what said the other day by the
h.snsa IL 1l.lNo, 4
there has been time of my public life that was
not willing, for one, TO cooperate in any steps for
the abolition Of the slave trade in the District OF Co
luInbia. was willing 10 do so while the other por
ton OF the District south of the Potomac remained
attached; and there is still less ground for objec-
ton now that large portion Of the District has been
retroceded 10 Virginia, and when the motive or
reason FOR concentrating slaves here in depot for
the purpose oi transporting them 10 distant foreign
markets Is lessened to the extent Of the diminution
of the territory by the act of retrocesson. Why
should the slave traders who buy their slaves in
Maryland or Virginia come here with them, In
order TO transport them 10 New Orleans or other
southern markets Why not transport them from
the States in which they are purchased! Why
should the feelings of those who outraged by the
scenes that are exhibited by the corteges which pass
along our avenues Of manacled human bcings-not
collected in our own District, nor in own neigh
borhood, but brought from distant portions Of the
neighboring States-why should the feelings Of
those who are outraged by such scenes-who are
horror--why should they be thus outraged by the
continuance Of trade so eNceptionable, so repug-
nant, az this Sir, il is a concession, repeat
neither from class Of the States the other
IL is object upon which both Of them, il seems to
me should readily unite, and which one set OF States
az well az the other should rejoice 10 adopt mas
much Il lessons by the Of irritation and
discomfort which exist as connected with tins
subject.
Abolish the slave trade within the District Of Co
Iumbla, reasscrt the doctrine Of the resolution OF
ISIS, that by implied obligation, on the part OF
Congress- slavery ought not TO be abolished within
the District Of Columbia 50 long it remains in the
State Of Maryandreassertth the principle OF that res
Olutou, and adopt the other measures proposed In
these resolutions, some other similar measures
f0r am not attached To any thing the production
ofmy mind, and am quite willing 10 adopt in
stead the better suggestions Of any body else; adopt
these or similar measures, and venture 20 predict
that instead of the distractions and anxietcs which
now prevail. shall have peace and quiet for thirty
year, hereafter such a. followed the disposition Of
chs same exciting and unhappy subject alter the
Missouri compounds.
Tho ncNi resolution IL a. follows:
9Th. Resoir6d. That more cffectual provision
OugiJ o. It. made by law, according 10 the require
incni If to Consultation for the restitution and de-
livery q pcrsons bound % service or labor IN any
State bo may escape into any other State or Ter
ritory ~ the Inion.
wei. Mr. Prcsident, upon this subject ! 60 with
him o gocs iurthcs in the Interpretation Of that
.lzusc ia the Constitution which relates 10 tins sub
jcci. Ia any humble opinion, that u requirement
w tie Constitution 0f the Initel States which u
MA linited ia IT, operation a. the Congress Of The
Tinted statcs but which extends 10 every State m
tho tnon. and ~ the officers Of every State IN the
Jnion Ard I ~ one step farther. IL extends "a
every nan in de JEi0n aud dcyOlyos upon him the
sibie sti1u o. assist In TIC recovery % fugitive
slave from hbor, wh0 takes refuge in OF cscapes
into one - th, free States And maintain all this
By q fair Interpretation q tie Consiiiniion Tho
clausr j. a. ioli0~s
~ psraJn bid o. s,ryicc 90 labor in ono STATE
uner e. laws thereof sscaping into another, shall
in c,nseqUeicc u any law 90 regulation therein, D
disfhargsi fran sufh service labor, but shall b
asiiycrtd up On claim 81 tie party ~ whom sucl
sssties w. hi,or may d. due"
Tg1I D, oissfsfd. NJ. President, that illis claus
in Co. Consfifufnn D. not Amongst The cuumeratc'
fsswsrs granted o. Congrass Shcrc. u it bad bcci
i,isa.H q tairhi have l.cn argued thst Congrc.
hisnf IAN J. 1islaio and carry u into cheet-Dut
oilf a az rca.sal puy efs ~ one ~ tho gfnera
fiFtfs serurtd ~ as Constitution ~ Instr utnc ni
All 81 s.i.'fsssrs issif a. sll Who are lound ~ ~
Consolidation q ~ tnitsd SfEifs. Nov, The ON
fsrs ~ a. Gsrefal sofsfnnisnt aff lrund - tax
90 tsia D. ssppaft tlfs Constitution q tiie mite
STATE 40 Ststf cfircrs are required ny ti6 Ton
ataui,an a. istf 81 oal iD Fuppur it, ard All n'e'
phs ifrf thfir cauutfY, and are oledient a. "
lass, lsfff A. aaslsf be- she cHoCuiion ~ tiios