The southern press., 1852-04-03


what they term the anti.slave influence id this
country must have remarked the frequent ex-
pressions of elderly" and humanity" with
which they abound, and the taunts of African
oppression" which is SO freely avished upon the
ears Of those whose notions of the institutions
Of this government do not correspond with their
own; as IL these gentlemen were the only pure
minded men in the land, and reflected the sound
views always held upon the slavery question at
the North.
i Now, sir, believe am AS good friend to
liberty and humanity as the most violent Adolf
tionists or Freesoiler in this Hall of Congress-
and further believe that the illustrious mea OF
revolutionary times, who helped to frame our
i Constitution, had as strict notions of the "rights
of man." as any of its advocates in this our day
and generation.
II II is curious to look into the history of the
States of this confederacy, and examine the
positions which they have occupied in regard to
this matter of slavery. Let US see how New
England has Il. times stood.
Il 1t is we'll known, sir, that in the convention
which framed the Constitution of the United
States, the subject of slavery and the slave trade
was prominent topic of debate. Up to this
time the States had right to import slaves
from Africa, or from any part of the globe.
This subject was referred in the convention TO
committee to report upon, and that committee
reported in favor of stopping the slave trade
after the year 1900. Tie South We're not salts
fled with the restriction proposed, and the sub
ject was again referred back to the committee
who reported the limit Of 1900 and the committee
finally reported to extend the time to the year
1908. This report was accepted, and the re-
suit became a part of the Constitution Now,
let gentlemen look at the record OF the con-
vention and see what States voted to extend the
duration Of the slave trade, from the time
originally rerorted to the convention. W hat
do we find, sir? Why, that the only New Eng
land States then represented in the convention
Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachn.
setts--voted to extend the duration of this
great eel while Virginia, slave State, and
the States abont Virgins, voted in the negative!
Yes, sir; and whom do we find from Connecti-
cut, as members Of that convention? | will
mention but two OF them-nen of pure hearts,
and patriots in the times which tried mems souls
the one, Roger Sherman, the signer of the
IDaclsra'ion of Independence, and the other
Oliver Ellsworth, afterwards chief jus ice Of the
United States. And these are the men who,
had they lived in this our day, would probably
have been told by the honorable member from
Ohio, Mr.. GIDpISGs, not now in his seat, that
they were '-folowing the crack of the slave
drivers whips" and such like generous express
sions, 80 freely used by that honorable gentle
man during this session. Now, sir, these Illus
trious patriots did not like slavery per Sc any
more than do the noisy disclaimers of abolition
on this floor; but they were men who loved
their country more than injustice, and they look
ed at this slavery question like practical, sensible
men, with the good of the Union and the pro-
perity of New England at heart.
L in in tier, hn,
moved to insert that provision in the Consttu-
ton, which provides for the delivery Of fugitives
from service, New England voted with the
same unanimity as before in favor of the pro-
vision.
Sir it is almost unaccountable how men,
claiming to be Americans, in view of the dan
gers which threatened the country during those
debates, with the history Of that convention be
fore them, will persist in this crusade they are
making upon the Union and the rights Of the
States.
And what ally have these agitators in the war
they are waging upon the peace and prosperity
of the country?
4 England the enemy, the inveternte enemy Of
America and everything Anericanl England !!
who never yet acted without motive Of self
acknowledgement and who did not abolish slave.
~ in her West India colonies till she foresaw
that those colonies were destined n lanpuish,
while her East India possessions, bringing go-
den treasures to her vaults, were the points IN
which her own energies should be exsrted and
now we witness member Of the British Par
lament landing upon our shores TO lecture Us
upon the horrors OF slavery, and melting our
citizens 10 oppose the laws OF this Union And
who Is this worthy pioneer Of modern English
philanthropy II refer TO the notorious George
Thompson, the representative Of the Tower
Hamlets of the city of London invite gentle.
! men TO look into the condition Of the district
this man represents in the English Parliament.
, In the summer Of 1851, some Americans
were permitted, under the safe conduct OF a
. posse Of her Majestys police officers OF the
city Of London, TO take a look into the situa-
ton Of the people they understood this agitator
represented 10 the English House Of Commons.
The House will pardon me, II read them q
faithful description Of one Of two scenes Of vice
and misery they witnessed, almost under the
battlemenis Of the Tower OF London itself. and
Of which notes were taken 10 The day and time
Of II. and for the truth Of them I can vouch:
n We dow threaded our way through long,
dark, street, or ally, and Of a sudden found our
selves in dingy hail. filed with the fumes Of
tobacco, beer, and gin, and where some sixty
persons were collected, a portion sitting on
benches around the room, smoking pipes and
drinking while the greater portion were shut
fling in the dance, TO the music Of an old blind
fiddler IN the corner. There were a dozen, or
more, women, and rs many children, in the mot
ley crew. DO you know where Won are 2
asked the police guide. No, was the reply.
Surrounded (he coniinued) by pickpockets and
thieves and look, you see that man and the girl
whose hair IL croppedl They are but recently
from Newgate'
ave left this place 10 90 70 another Of the
/ same kind, but worse than the former We
passed through dark and dreary lanes, the still
ness Of death only broken by the occasional
churl or bark Of dog, or the oaths Of the drum
ken inmates Of the dens, with windows and
! doors all barred and bolted and the light shut
mp within We passed by. and we were now
in the worst part Of London IN city Of thieves
and vagabonds, with hardly an honest being, ex.
cept policemen, within sound Of pistol We
entered a low, archcd gateway, and at its Ter.
minus stopped. The officer raped al the door;
nj last IL was opened and such a scepel In a