The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-12

Irs NATURE, ORIGIN, AND CONSCIOUSNESS,
No q

ihto shS iass"'iSisui VI huoutions appeared ~ al
early period in the history of this country ia the
shape of opposition to the introduction of Afri
can slavery into the Southern colonies Both
Virginia aud South Carolina, in their colonial
state, passed laws for its prevention, which were
negatved by the King OF England aud thus, to
use the words of Mr.. Jefferson in his original
draft of the Declaration OF Independence lie
as non ereiiing those pery people 10 rise IN arms
among as, and 10 purchase that liberty Of Dhich
he has deprived them, by numbering lte people ON
'ohom he also obtruded them: thus paying og
former crimes committed against The liberties Of
one people, ,oM crimes aohich he urges Them 10
commit against The Ines o( another"
| The laws and circumstances Of Virginia aud
South Carolina, were not, however, directed
against the institution of slavery as it existed
among them, but against the importation of
slaves. Their hostility was to the slave trade,
and had no reference whatever TO abolition. But
the feeling was or soon became different in the
Northern States, especially in Pennsylvania
among the Quakers, and among others Anthony
| Benezct preceded both Wherefore and Clark
son in his efforts, not only for the abolition of
the slave trade, but of slavery itself. This SEN
timent against slavery, SO far as have been
able to discover, did not become an element in
political affairs, until the States were brought to
act together, preparatory to ''the old confedera-
tion," where the interests and prejudices ofeach
came into direct collision with each other The
Declaration of Independence brought with it
the necessity of establishing new form of
government; and the war waged in its support
made it indispensable that the States should act
in concert.
Accordingly, after a good deal of delay and
difficulty, their deputies were brought together
to devise that system, generally known as "The
Articles Reconsideration" Many obstacles arose
to impede the contemplated union, the most
formidable Of which was the objection of the
States, possessing little or no unappropriated
lands, to allowing these territories to remain en-
tirey at the disposal of the States to which they
appertaihed by grants from the King of Eng
land. On the 10Th of September, $780, Mr.
Madison, in letter to Edmund Pendeton,
wrtes-"Congress have at length entered seri
ously on plan for finally ratifying the confed-
Grafton. Convinced of the necessity of such a
measure, to repress the hopes with which the
probable issue of the campaign will inspire the
enemy, as well as to give greater authority and
vigor to our public councils, they. have recon-
mended in the most pressing terms to the States,
claiming unappropriated back lands to cede
! liberal portion for the general benefit. A these
exclusive claims formed The only obstacle wih
Maryland, there is No doubt that compliance
Nth THIS recommendation piH bring her into The
confederation. How far the States holding the
back lands may be disposed to give them up,
cannot be easily determined. From the sent
ments Of the most intelligent persons which
have come to my knowledge own, am pretty
sanguine, that they will see the necessity of
closing the union in too strong light, 10 OPP
pose he.only erpedienf thai can accomplish IT," 1t
was under these circumstances that Virginia
made the cesson of that vast territory included
in. her ancient boundaries, accompanied by the
condition that slavery should be forever exclud.
ed. That cession was n sacrifice to the union.
and the condition which accompanied it was the
first victory of Abolition. The passage above
quoted, explains what would otherwise be in.
applicable, and furnishes key to one of the
most extraordinary incidents of our history.
Another difficulty in adjusting the articles of
confederation arose out Of the adoption of a
basis of general taxation including all the in
habtants of the States, except Indians, without
distinction of age, sex, or color To this pro-
position Mr.. Chase, of Maryland, moved as an
amendment, "that the quotas should be paid,
not by the number of inhabitants of every con-
dition, but by that of the white inhabitants"
This amendment was rejected by vote of seven
to FIVE. Georgia being divided, all the Southern
States. with that exception. voted for. and all
the Northern States against the amendment In
this debate Abolition again peeped forth Mr.