Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-24

members had 4 decided feeling against me
on these points Things went on rapidly
growing worse and worse until, iii 1887. MIR ].
Q. Adams presented petition from twenty
three slaves of Fredericksburg, Virginia..
praying Congress to abolish slavery, &c.
This produced great excitement and, after
much discussion, it ended finally i'll the House
passing resolution which was equivalent to
affirming that slaves had right to petition.
The Southern members called 4 meeting and
proposed that we would not again take our
seats until the obnoxious resolution were re-
pealcd by the non-slavcholding members
themselves. After several days OF excite,
ment, my proposition was voted down ana
the resolution was repealed by the assistance
CT Southern votes. refused to vote At all,
and never afterwards attended any caucus OF
Southern members on the subject OF slavery.
+ was rebuked rs an agitator, and, i'll cIrcG-
lar addressed by the delegation from Missis-
sippi to their Constituents | was openly Ge-
nouuccd, as q traitor to the Union, while
others were praised for saving the Union.
merely mention these things now, to show
the rapid progress of events, and Lot to show
the humble part may have lad in them, for
1 only happened to be put in that position
from the deep interest I then felt in the
matter.
1t was about this period that Mr.. Adams
bcran to assume the doctrine, that Congress
might have power over the whole subject of
slavery in the States-and used the remarka-
Bile language upon the floor, when asked by
gentleman from Alabama, what he would
do if abolition produced siuiccs of blood, he
exclaimed in great excitement, I" Lei 1t fop!
Let ii fow!!" ! mention Mr. Adams merely
because be was the great leader of agitation
and gave form and consistency to Fanati-
cism. His high position and eminent abili-
tics gave dignity and power to all those move
mcnts which were started under his advice,
and which will end where, | sincerely be-
licved, he desired them to end, in dissou-
ton of this Union. Then came on the ex-
citcment as to recognition of independence
and annexation of Texas. A large portion
of the North ;wcre enlisted against Texas
simply on the ground that it might increase
the power of the Slave States. They de-
clarcd often and over in their resolutions and
through their papers that annexation of Texas
would be dissolution Of the Union. This
has been their feeling ever since the purchase
of Louisiana. MIR. Josiah Quincy, an able
and leading member Of Congress, from Mas
sachusetts, when the Bill for the admission
of Louisiana was before Congress, used this
language, "If this Bill passes it is my de-
liberste opinion that it is virtually aissolu-
tan of The Union-that it would free the
States from their moral obligations; and that,
as it will be the right of all, so it will be the
duty of some, definitely to propose for sspa-
ration, amiccJty if they car, .torc.6Ly y they
must' Such was the universal doctrine of
bitter Federalism then against the admission
Of Slave States-and such is their doctrine
at this day. Mr.. Webstcrin his recent speech
Mt Buffalo, so much lauded, says at tho time
Louisiana was acquired he was too young
to hold any Office or take any share in polit!.
cal affairs He says he had nothing to do
with the Florida treaty or the admission of
Florida!" He says also, & never would con-
sent that there should be one .foot Of Stare
territory beyond what the old thirteen States
had al the time of the formation of the
Union" He says, rs to the annexation OF
Texas, {. sought IN occasion to proclaim my
utter aversion to any such measure, and de-
termined to resist it with all my strength to
the last!" He further says in the same
speech, g 'oill not no'o or hereafter consent
to be sdnbered among those WHO introduced
new slave power into the Union. i was born
Mt the North-educated ut the North-llave
lived all my days at the North--l wish to see
MI men free. have no associations out OF
the Northern States-My people are your
people. You will find me true to the North
because all my sympathies are with the
North" If this had been uttered bya South.
ern Statesman he would have been denounced
by the ninions of power us narrow and sec
tIonal in al his feelings-an ultraist-a dis
unionist.
And yet when It is proclaimed by the high
est Minister Of State, and comes TO US with
the unction of official dignity and under the
patronage of Magistcrial authority, it is all
eloquencc-all genuine American patriotism
What right has he, as an Officer of Govern
mcnt, to proclaim himself exclusively a North
crn man? Has it come to this that the gov
ernment is already assumed to belong 10 one
section, and arc we to be considered merely
as their provinces! Is he to be Secretary of
State for the North alone! And is this to
be his policy in conducting the foreign Hego-
tiations of the country! Are VIC to be out
lawcd? And is he, in no event, to protect
slave power or slave property! Where then
is our protection under the national flag 3
Talk about single State not being able to
give protection to our interests better, far
better stand aone-than to receive such pro-
lection rs is thus tended to us by the Sccrc.
tary of State for the Union. Is this not
pregnant chapter in the history of our down.
ward career! Felow-citizens | tell you, 1t
speaks language not to be mistaken, and
we must be prepared to assert our own rights
or we are gone beyond redemption.
But, to progress with the history of aboli-
tion rs connected with the annexation of
Texas.-It is we'll known that great move
mont was made in this country and also in
Great Britain against that annexation be-
cause it might strengthen and perhaps perpet-
uate slavery in these States. About this
period, the "World's Convention" was held
in London with representatives from this
country rs well rs every where else, for The
abolition of African Slavery throughout the
world. The Representatives from the North
ern States became fully possessed of the
opinions of such men as Mr.. Webster and
Mr.. Adams at that time, and acted strictly in
concert with British Phan.hropists and Brit
ish Statesmen in all their moves upon Texas.
There WAS communication made by Mr..
]. o. Adams to the British Government