Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-09-15

mon with all other ghts secured by the Con-
stltuion
But it Is further urged against the resou-
tons. (sald Mr.. Pierce,) that they are mere alb
stractons. Sir 1t is quite immatcrial what
name you apply to them, sufficient it is that
they meet the case TINT they encounter the
Aboonists upon sound and tenabe ground,
and furnish conclusive answer 10 his mpor-
tunica. To shy that the petitions referred
onlp to this District and TINT the principles
ascribed in the preceding resolutions are con.
lscqnentiy "ithoutappllcaton, is perfectly idle.
1t is impossible 10 rend single number of the
leading abolition periodicals without perceiv-
| ing that object reaches far beyond this District
and stops at no point short Of emancipation in
the States. And yet, sir | repeat that you
would find few intelligent Abolitorists. who
would assert that Congress has tho cnnstltn
tional power 10 interfere with slavery in the
States, hnt admitting the want OF pow"r here
they hold 1t Their duty rs individuals to persc-
we're in the cause. Regarding tho institution
of slavery MS morally wrong, and sinful II you
pensc. they consider themselves as citizens Of
Tho Union responsible for Is continuance,
wherever i may exist within our borders.--
This freliny has its origin, To some extent in
mmppreheason o. the structure Of our
IGovernmeft, and fbis error the preceding res
ol ions arr calculated to correct, they as
sert, III fleet, tbat the citizen Of n. Hampshire
Is no moro responsible, morally politically,
for the existence and conlinuance of this do
nestle institution in Virginia or Maryland, than
ho would he for the existence of my similar
institution in France or Persia, Whyi Be-
cause these are matters over which the States
respectively. when delegang portion ofthcir
powers, TO be exercised by the general Gov
crnnent. retained the whole and exclusive con-
troll, and for which they alone responsible.
Now, ct these doctrines be universally un'
derstood and admitted and you take ono great
step towards sati ying the conscience Of hon
cst but misguided people. III one section OF tho
country aud quetng the irritation, for which
| there has been too much cause in the other
! This We have attempted 10 do. We arc bound
to 60 further, and frankly declare to these pc.
rIioners that so long slavery shall continue
in Virginia and Maryland, it is vain for them
to expect ifs abolition here; That we are forbid
den 10 Legisaio upon this subject, under cx
istiDg circumstances, by obligations hardly in
erior to the constitution itself; that Congress
cannot abolish slavery in this District against
tho wishes of the inhabitants, without gross
breach Of public faith and an outrageous in
fraction OF private rights
At the tine the ccssion was made. domestic
Virginia 1t sill exis there, and it has also
existed here rom that day TO this. Now, how
IL ii possible To mistake what must have been
the understanding Of both parties at this time
Nc man, il strikes me, can doubt for mo-
ment, WHO will reenrd without prejudice, the
relative position oi this ten miles square,"
IthC Objects oithe cess.on, and the manifest in
tcresl5 OF the State making 1t. Who can be-
cve that these patriotic States would have
parted with their territory, If they could havo
supposed that the g"ts and property of their
cltizens, living upon H. were 10 be evadcd
gainst tn. r Consent and in defiance oftheir re-
monslrances? have no hesitation in saying
| that ! consider slavery Social and political
o,I and most sincerely wish il had no existence
upon The faco Of the e,rh; but it is perfectly
lmmaterial how II may be regarded, either by
you or myself it Is not for US to sit in judg-
mont, and determine whether the rights secur-
ed to the different States by the Constitu-
ton are blessings or otherwise; 1t is sufficient
for the argument, that they are rights which
the inhabitanls do not choose To relinqulsh.
Further, Mr. President, suppose, for o mo-
ment, that the cesson had nol been made, and
that the Sta es Of Maryland and Virginia
should now attempt, without the consent OF the
inhabitants of the District, 10 interfere with
'"i7 o'-Ci l''oh III i'iolci -" n''o'i9i o'hNc'y
within lhese portions oi their resp ecliye limits,
and retain 1t upon It's present basis in every
other portion lFhaf would be the coase
qaoaco? Why the law could never be ne
forced, and eyory refeo.ing throughout
the whole length AID breadth Of this coun,ry
would revolt at such wanton disregard OF
equal jus co and q equal rights and privileges.
And yet, because TIE SloIes have generously
ceded their territory 10 you for certain purpo-
ss., you propose to do this very thing, and
thus requte their confidence and their spirit of
accommodation, by opening common refuge
for thclr runaway slaves will only add, up
on this point that the Abolilionst would do
wellto pause III the midst Of his zeal and inquire
calmly and dspassionately whether in fact. any
thing more than nominal advantage would be
gained by the abolition of slavery in this Dis
trct, and whether even this would not be ac-
qured at a serious sacrifice. Is it net admit