Lewisburg chronicle, and West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1850, 1850-03-27


,peedisst remedies will b provided to 70
dress any just grievances. This action is
necessary in order that no truthful accusa-
ton of . wilful and wanton breach Of the
Constitution. in6del,y to the National Uni.
On. or invasion Of the rights Of o,hers. shall
stain tho social history Of Pennsylvania.
Tho wrongs alleged may be cIassed a.
follows:
First, That the people Of the non Slave
holding States have encroached upon the
Constitution Of the United States.
Second, Tha, they hare done acts hos
tile to tho peacs and perPe,ui,y Of the
National Union.
Third, Tha. thsy have unjustly. DANCE
rously. and injuriously srssPas'ed dupoo tho
rights Of other portions Of the confederacy.
These are grave charges agains. the faith
and honor Of ,hisC Commonwealth, and hence
the necessity Of q careful examination OF
their justice and truth.
Questions connected with the slavery Of
The eolored race, have given origin to these
complaints.
1t 10 not necessary 10 discuss the abstract
question Of Slavery. If it were now 10 be
es.ablishsd-if the footprints Of the bond
man were now for the first time to press
the soil of our common country-if the
Constitution we're nov TO BE- formed. II
would be our duty to enter our solemn
protest against its introduction or recogni-
ton, We should feel q pleasure in the
adoption of differen, policy from that
imposed upon US by our British Progeni-
tors. Where they forged and rivesed, We
would strike the chains Of bondage from
human limbs.
The Constitution OF the United States,
however, having guaranteed. to q certain
extent, the existence Of slavery. and recog'
nized the rights Of the people Of the Slave
holding States in their peculiar property
al such discussions in reference to the
institution % il exists in those States are
properly precIsded by just sense Of con-
s.i,utional duty. With slavery. therefore
| in the several States. there 10 not sow'
and never has been. any disposition, on
tho part Of the Government, Of Peunsylvs'
nia, to interfere.
Let 10 examine how far the general
charges. made against the people Of tht
Free States. apply 20 our cisisens. To dc
% with more cIearncss. . recital Of the
events preceding and attending '5s foF"a'
ton Of the Constitutions deemed necessary
and proper.
PENNSYLVANIA had BEEN Slave. holding
State. The introduction and use Of serviIe
labor, and The moral and political degrade
ton Of the coIored raes. had BEEN engraised
upon her liberal insli.s,ions by the cupidity
Of our British ancestry. While the Revo'
luton and the separation Of the Colonies
from the mother country we're in progress
and before the recognition Of their lndcPen
denee BY tho Government, Of Great Britain
her Legislature. by The act Of the l'' ol
March. 1880. abolished slavery within he'
borders. A copy Of shss statute 10 hereto
annexed.
The preamble 70 this act. in stroag and
| .pp-~p-;.s. s--U--e. .-r'->-~. ." e0s'"'-
renee Of that condition Of civil bondage to
which the arms and tyranny Of Great Bri'
tain were exerted 10 reduce us; acknowl-
edges the bene6cent agency Of the Supreme
God in our deliverance from tie threatened
dangers, and admits the great injustice and
wrong done 10 tho sersiIe race, by means
whereof they had been "deprived Of the
common blessings to which they were by
nature entitled )" and ,hen.i in commemora.
ton of our own happy escape from tyrannic
and dsspo,ic power, provides that oil per.
sons, - we'll negroes and muIatioes as
eshers, who shall 10 born within this State.
from and after the date OF the said act,
shall not be deemed and considered serv-
ants for life. or slaves.
The further provisions Of this humane
Law relate to the registry Of sIaves-the
service OF their children-their support
when left indieent-lheir trial for offences;
and whilst il thus declares, in most express
terms, That no man or woman, of any nation
or color, except registered slaves. shall at
any time thereafter be deemed. adjudged,
or holden within the territories Of this
Commonwealth as slaves, or servants for
lie, but rs free men, and free women-is
makes provision Cor the protection Of the
property Of non-residenis in slaves, or ser.
vss,s for life, who may be scjourners for .
period Of six months. On the 29th March,
l7s0. another act, intended 10 cure the
defects Of the act Of lss March, 1880. was
passed, and is hereto annexed.
Thess enactments made Pennsy ylvania q
non-SIaveholdisg State, and in terms Of
IL. rl..,.~ s,H n ,oa wesf chs paefop mn RI ~