The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-04

ways promp that OF legislation adapted 10 the us,
| and benefit OF mankind .na tsst
But do not wish to 20 into this subject at large The
bill which Is upon your table is oil series OF
ures reported by the Committee of Thirteen, all OF
which, with the exception OF this bill have received, IN
some form other the sanction OF the Senate and have
/ been transmitted 10 the House. Ell.
| This is the last Of the series The senator thinks be
sees IN this measure the foundation OF the abolition Of
slavery within the District oil Columbia Directly other
Wise the object oil the committee and Lbelieve
will be the tendency OF the law if il shall be enacted
Two complaints have been urged IN respect TO the ex
sence OF slavery IN this Distrcone having Tor lis oDec
the abolition OF slavery here. and The other the abolition
OF The slave uadethe foreign slave trade. as Is cor
rectly denominaiedin the limits OF the District oil Co
lumbia These two topics OF agitation have been urged
al The North especially with great earnestness, and with
great justice regards the latter Now, SIR The com
mites supposed thai, by abollshing this foreign slave
trade within the Dsrct-in respect TO which, | will
presently show there cannot exist moments doubt, un.
less gentlemen carry themselves into the regions OF
metaphysics and distractions in regard to power-If
it abolished it will satisfy, great extent the north
ern feeling and add with pleasure, the southern feel
ing also; for have heard with horror OF the existence
OF this trade within this District, to which Is altogether
alien and have viewed it with much detestaiion as
many of those al the North who have spoken against IT,
Well, now, sir, with respect TO the case OF Groves Il
Slaughter the honorable senator has adveed to the
gument which has been used IN the OF that dis
cusson, that by the constitution OF the United States the
regulations Of trade between the States, and consequently
the regulations OF trade in slaves between the States
vested in the Congress OF the United States and
that State should undertake prohibit within its
merce from other States That was the argument EN-.
poyed il which suggested itself TO the counsel
as belonging 10 the case, and which It was his duty to
urge before the court That the argument OF the
distinguished gentleman who now fills another important
post the government. But the question is, what did
the court decide The State of mississippi had provi-
ded by her constitution that slaves should be intro
duced into the limits of the State merchandise The
argument that this exercise OF power which
belonged TO Congress- and not to the State OF Mississippi
There were other Arguments, necessary mention.
/ decided
had right 10 exercise. The court did decide that
every State of this Union might forbid the introduction
OF slaves within its jurisdiction from other savehoding
States That the decision OF the court and that de
cison the only matter OF consequence in the consdera
ton OF this question Apply It TO the case, and what
does it amount to! Why, inasmuch the power OF
Congress this District is, perhaps equal 10 that
power Of the several States within their respective
Limits and every State has the power TO prohibit the
slave trade within its dominons limits il
sary follows that Congress possesses this power But,
sir the has not with his usual powers OF dscTm
natIon, distinguished between the OF power
undertaking regulate the slave trade between the States
and the exercise of the power within this District
to prohibit the slave trade within the District Now,
sir how do the stand under the power of Cong
to regulate trade slaves between the States Why il
depends upon the general grant contained in the nsIrn
ment and the court has decided, notwithstanding the
generality OF the grant, that II does not extend 10 the
case OF slaves account OF pgncpes oil police which
pertain to each State Now, II every Stale OF the Union,
in consideration OF police, or OF any other
connected with the happiness OF their people, may pro-
hibt the slave trade within the respective limits OF each
State, will not the general do il within the
District OF CoumbIa'
Now, come to the power, about which, say,
there cannot be-un.ss man launches out into the
gion OF abstraction and metaphy slcsa particle OF doubt,
the constitution TO legIsate IN all cases IN districts coded
10 Congress by any OF the States There Is limitation
other those general restrictions which the constitu
ton may provide against the action OF Congress any
case whatever No restriction be found in the
stiluion which limits and crcnmscribes the power OF
Congress break up this detesable slave trade within
1.-The District OF Columbia Now, sir, with regard TO all
the arguments OF the honorable senator with respect to
the benefit from emigration, whether voluntary or nvo
untary, whether bond tree what has that TO do with
the case before us Here are six miles square-since
the retrocesson Virgin do pot know that II is
muchin which Trade is carried on not IN the property
oil the District not in the slaves OF the District but the
slave traders finding it 10 erect their depots
within the District have from time TO time erected them.
though am told that there is but remaining
But there one IN which savesae constantly to be found
for sale, hear think have heard that inhabitant
OF the District has been known 10 purchase these
slaves. They brought here from Virginia, Mary.
land and perhaps from other slave States, and kept until
II suits the person engaged the trade TO transport them
10 Mobile, New Orleans, and other southern markets
IL is commended seriously not only that there is no pow
e. on the part OF Congress to aoolsh ms trade but mat
il is abolished in this District II is TO be considered
OF those alarming circumstances which Is TO alarm the
whole South, and precpltate into the most determined
opposition. Sir, offer advice TO but beg leave
suggest that gentlemen coming from that portion OF
the Union would be less liable 10 take alarm upon slight
circumstances, not dreading every possible occurrence
lesl ~ TOUCH tue WHICH
cherish fondy, believe they would add safety and
security the institution itself am there would
be less OF agitation throughout the country AT large But
Congress with the power to legislaie IN all
whatsoever, put end 10 these jas IN which, without
the authority of the law, the trader rs the ale and the
subjects oil his imprisonment slaves brought from
distance, perhaps under circumstances
shocking TO humanity Cannot Congress within tins small
crcunscnbed District under the power TO legslae IN all
cases whatsoever pat an emu TO this uafc without ere
atng sensation OF alarm from the shores OF the Poto-
mac to the Rio Grande But do not mean to dwell
more fully upon subject the general topics which
the honorable has thought proper TO urge upon
this occasion.
wish to say few words with regard TO the amend
meni proposed By the senator from Mississippi am dis
Inclined to IT, prefer the bill reported by the Com
miitee OF Thirteen That bill is direct, straightforward
appropriate this subject employing the requisite and
proper means carry into effect the object aimed at
The amendment of the senator from Mississippi INTRO
duces great variety OF subjects such as the abduction
the free negroes the seduction OF the slaves pro-
vidng by habeas corpus Tor bringing before the proper
tribunal the question OF freedom and slavery in any
OF persons alleged be improperly held in slavery The
senator from MARY land proposes also subject OF some
importance provision for very heavy pesay IN the
case of the seduction OF slave. Now, all this would be
very appropriate in code OF legislation about 10 be
adopted by Congress regulating the conduct and con-
di,ion OF the people OF color free bond the District
hope that will be introduced in separate bill II is
late in the session to take up all these subjects
and discuss and dispose OF them trust the amendments
has been before for months IL has been discussed
and consdeedy will be taken NJ and disposed OF as The
Senate may think proper. t.#
With regard to the suggestion made by the senator
fron Maryland that the present pen altes tor the seduc-
ton of slaves from their at the instance OF per-