The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-28


ehandise that dvest the leading and con-
trolling qualify Of persons by which they gnaed in
me constitution. The character OF properly is given them
der 4 projected by the federal aahoes but The eons
on as's upon slaves as rEasoSs and not as property
The power over slavery belongs to the State.
respectively is local In It's character and in its fleets
turoves v' Slaughter, 10 Pelers' r., 507)
Here again slavery is sectional, while freedom is
Sir such briefly are The rules of Interpretation which
applied 10 the constitution, ill it with the breath of
freedom,
I" Driving far of each thing Of sin and guilt"
10 The history and prevailing sentiments OF the times
may turn Tor further In the spirit of free
uom the constitution was formed In this spirit our
ialhers always spoke and acted In this spirit The
uonal government was first organized under Washing
on And here recall scene in itself touchstoue OF
me period, aud example for us. upon which we may
look with pure national pride, while we learn The
relations OF The national government 10 slavery.
The revolution had been accomplished, The feeble
government oil tine confederation had passed away The
constitution slowly matured In national convention,
discussed before the people, defended by mastery pens,
had been already adopted The thirteen States stood
forth nation, wherein was unity without consolidation
and diversity without dscord. The hopes of all were
anxonsly banging upon the order of things and the
mighty procession OF events. With signal unanimity
Washington was chosen President Leaving his home
at Mount Vernon, he repaired TO New York, where the
first Congress had already commenced its session. 10
sumo his place elected chief of the republic On the
3oh OF April i7s9 the organization Of the
was completed BY his Inauguration. Entering the SEN
ale chamber, where the two houses assembled he
was informed that they awaited his readiness receive
the oath OF office. Without delay, attended by the
ators and representatives with friends and men OF mark
gathered about him, he moved to the balcony in from,
OF the edifce A countless multitude ihronging the
open street. and eagerly watching this great espousa,
g With reverence look on his majestic face,
Proud to be less. but of his godke race"
The oath was administered by the chancellor OF New
York. AT this time, and in this presence beneath the
uncovered heavens Washington first took this vow upon
his lips: 81 do solemnly swear that will faithfully ex
ecnte the office of President OF the United Slales and
will 10 the best of my ability, preserve, protect and de-
iend the constitution of the United States"
Over the Presidents on this high OCCASION foated the
national flag, with lis stripes OF red and its stars on
field OF blue As his patriot eyes rested upon the glow
ing ensign, what currents must have rushed swiftly
through his soul In the early days OF the revolutions
in those darkest hours about Boston, after the battle OF
Bunker Hill and before the declaration OF Independence
the thirteen stripes had been first unued by hm the
emblem OF Union among the colonies for the sake of
freedom BY him. at that time, they had been named
the Union flag. Trial, struggle, and were now
ended, and the Union, which they first heraded,
aerably established. To every beholder these memories
must have been full of pride and consolation But look
ing back upon the scene there circumstance which,
more than all It's other associations, fills the soumore
even than the suggestions OF union which prize much
AT THIS MOMENT, WHEN WASHINGTON TOOK HIS FIRST
OATH TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES, THE NATIONAL ENSIGN NOWHERE WITHIN THE
NATIONAL TERRITORY COVERED A SINGLE SLAVE. Then,
indeed was slavery sectional, and freedom national.
On the sea cxecrabe piracy, trade in slaves was
STILL TO the national scandal, tolerated under the national
dag In the States, sectional institution beneath The
shelter OF local laws, slavery unhapply found a home
But in the only territories at this time belonging 10 the
nation the broad of the northwest mad already
by the ordinance OF freedom. been made impossible
before the adoption OF the constitution The District OF
Columbia, with lis fatal incumbrance had not yet been
acquired.
The government thus organized was anti slavery in
character Washington was a stakeholder; but il would
be unjust to his memory to say that he was an alb
oiuonst also. His opinions do not admit OF question
Only short time before the formation of the national
constitution he had declared by letter. "tha il among
his first wishes TO see some plan adopted by which
slavery may be abolished by laws" and again. in another
letter. that IN support OF any legislative for the
abolition OF slavery his suffrage should not be wanting
and Still further, IN conversation with distinguished Eu.
ropean aboionst, travelling propagandis of freedom
bfissot de Warville recently welcomed TO Mount Yer.
non, he had openly announced that promote this OBJ
lec in Virginia, che desired the formation of SOCIETY
and that he would second IT," By this authentic tes,i.
mony nc takes his place with the early patrons OF aboli
ton societies
By the side OF Washington as standing beneath the
national flag he support the constitution were
llustrious men, whose lives and recorded words now
rise in judgment. There was John Adams The Vice
Pfesident-grea vinGcaor and final neeotiator of our
national independence-whose SOUL flaming with free.
dom broke forth in the early declaration that "consent
ing 10 slavery is sacregous breach of trust" and
whose mmgabie hostility to this wrong has been made
immortal in his descendants. There also was compan.
ion in-arms and attached friend Of incompatible genius
the yet youthful Hamilton, who as member OF he Abnl
ton Society of New York, had only recently uaiteI IN
solemn petition for those who "though free by the laws
OF God, are held IN slavery by the laws of tie State
There, too, was noble spirit the ornament of his coun.
Try, The exempar OF courage, truth, and virlue who
like the sun, ever held unering course John Jaw
Filling the important post OF Minister of Foreign All.
fairs under the confederation, he found time TO organize
the Abolition Society of New York, and 10 act as its
president until, by the nomination OF Washington he
came Chief Justice OF the United States In his sight
slavery was an "iniquity," "a sin OF crimson dye"
against which ministers OF the Gospel should testify
and which the government should seek in eyery wav Ia
abolish. "Were ] in the legislature" he wrote, III
would present bill for this purpose with great care
andl would never cease moving II till il became law
or ceased to be a member Till America comes into
this measure her prayers 10 Heaven will be impious"
But they were not alone. The convictions and earnest
aspirations OF the country were with them Al the North
these broad and general. AT the South they found
fervd uerance from Shareholders By early and preco
cous efforts Tor Total emancipation the author of The
Declaration OF Independence placed himself foremost
among the abolitonisis Of the land In language now
familiar 10 all, and which can die, he perpetualy
denounced slavery lie exposed its pernicous influences
upon master well slave declared that the love OF
Justice and the love OF cosntry pleaded equally for the
slave, and that the abolition of domestic slavery was
the greatest object OF desire" He believed that the sa
cred side was gaining daily recruits" and confidently
looked to the young for the accomplishment OF this good
work. In htful sympathy with Jefferson was another
honored of Virginia. the orator OF liberty. Patrick
Henry who, while confessng that he master of
slaves, sald 81 will not | cannot Justify il. However
culpable my condsci, will far pay my devor TO vir.
tue, as to own the excellence and rectiude OF her pre-
ceps, and lament my want of conformity 10 them" At
this very period, in the legislature of Maryland on bill
wards by bis consummate learning and forensic powers
the acknowledged head of the American bar-William
Pinkney-n n speech OF earnest, truthful eloquenee--
better far for his memory than his transcendan profess