The daily union., 1852-09-28

,is. =. many as are now found in this Dsrel-sepped
faTIh in the happiness and dignity oi heemen -
Win ths guiding example. let as not despair Inc
lime will vel come when the boast OF our fathers VIII &c
made practical veriiy ALSO and court or Congress y
the spirit OF this British Judgment. Will proudly deeiae
thai nowhere under the constitution man hold prop
ery 10 For the republic such decree wiii ps sns
way OF peace and safety As slavery is banlshea ii
the national jurisdiction II will CEASE TO yex our nauoha
politics II may nger in the States as local nshtuuoh
bar il will no longer engender national aniinosi"eS'
when IL no longer demands national support. :. Il.
III. From this general review OF the ~ s'
national 10 slavery, pass TO lhe consdera
toa oil the TRUE NATURE ~ THE PROVISION fon iI soa
RENDER suarrfgrs FROM LABOR, smoaens an sa,oi
inaion Of this provision the constitution, ana especial
ly OF the recent OF Congress IN pursuance lhefeo
And here as begin this discussion, let me bespeak
your eandor-not IN prejudice, but in the ls OF
history and OF let consider this subject The
way will then be easy, and the conclusion certain.
Much arises from the exaggerated Importance
now attached TO this provision. and from the assump
tons with regard 10 ITS origin and primitive character
Ii often red that il suggested by special
difficulty, which had become practically and extensively
felt anterior 10 the constitution. But this ID OF the
myths or fables with which the supporters OF slavery
have surrounded their false god In the Articles ot Con-
federation. while provision IS made for the surrender OF
fugitive criminals nothing is said OF fugitive slaves or
servants and there evidence IN any quarter unill
after the national convention oil any hardship or soc-
tude this account No previous voice was heard TO
express desire for any provision on the subject Inc
story 10 the contrary is modern hchon
put aside as equally fabulous the common saying
that this provision OF the original compromises
Of the constitution, and essential condition oil union
Though sanctioned by eminent judicial opinions, VIII
be found that this statement has been hastily maie WIN
ont any support in the records OF the conventions me
only authentic evidence OF the compromises; nor VIII II
be easy TO lind any authority ior 1t In any contemporary
document. speech published letter, pamphlet OF any
formation OF the constitution, which were the subject oil
anxious debate; but this was not OF them , ,
There was compromise between The small and large
States. by which equality secured TO all the States
the Senate There W another Hla-
ly carried under threats from the South. on The motion
OF New England member, by which the slave States
allowed representatives according 10 The whole
number of free persons and thee fhs OF all other pei
s0ns thus securing political power on account OF Their
slaves in consideration that direct taxes should De apor
TONED in the same way. Direct taxes have been I'M
posed at only four brief intervals The political power
has been constant, and this moment, sends twenty
one members to the other House
There was third compromise which cannot be men,
toned without shame. Ii that hateful bargain by
which Congress restrained until lo0S from the pro-
hblon OF The foreign slave trade thus securing down
10 that period, toeraon for crime. This was pertna
clousy pressed by the South even TO the extent oil an
absolute restraint Congress. John Rutledge said !:
" II the convention thinks North Carolina South Caro-
lima, and Georgia. will agree TO this plan 1.-THE
federal constuton unless their right to import slaves
be untouched, the expectation Is vain The people
OF those States will be such fools TO gve up so
important interest" Charles Pinckney said "Souh
Carolina receive the plan lof The consiituon
II 1t prohibits the slave trade. Charles Cetesworih
Pnckney hought himself bound TO declare candldy that
he did not think South Carolina would stop her mporta
ton OF slaves any shor, time" The eoniery OF the
savehoders matched BY the sorddness OF the east
ern members, who yielded again. Luther Martin, the
eminent member of the conventon IN his contemporary
address TO the legislature of Maryland has described the
compromise. Il found" be says, 'hat the eastern
members notwithstanding their aversion slavery, were
very willing indulge the southern States, al least win
temporary liberty to prosecute the slave trade provided
the southern States would in their crafty them BY
laying no restriction on navigation acts The bargain
was s uck and al this price the southern States gained
the detesable indulgence At subsequent day, Con-
grees branded the slave trade piracy and thus, by
solemn legislative act adudged this compromise 10 be
felOnious and wicked
Such the three chief original compromises of the
astution, and essential conditions Of union The case
iugtves from labor is not OF these During the con
yentlon u was not IN any way associated with these
Nor there any evidence from the records OF this body
that the provision this subject regarded with any
peculiar interest As its absence from the articles OF
confederation had been The occasion OF socItute or
desire anterior 10 the National Convention, It did not
enter into any OF the original plans of the constitution
IL was introduced at late period Of the convention,
and with very little and most casual discussion adopted
few facts will show how unounded the recent as
sumptions.
The National Convention was convoked to meet at
Philadelphia on the second Monday in May, i7s7. Sew
eral members appeared at this time; bu, majority of
the States no, being represented those present adjourned
from day day until the 25th, when the convention was
organized by the choice OF George Washington presl
dent On the 25h few brief rules and orders were
adopted On the next day they commenced their great
work.
On this day Edmund Randolph, of slaveholdng vr
gnia laid before the convention series OF sixteen
iutons, containing his plan for the establishment OF
new national government Here was no alusion 10 iu-
gitive slaves.
! On the same day. Charles Pinckney OF slaveholdng
6outh Carolina laid before the convention what called
"a daught OF federal government TO be agreed upon be
tween the free and independent States OF Amerca"-an
elaborate paper. marked by considerable mnuteness o
detail Here provisions, borrowed from the Articles
of Confederation, securing citizens OF each State equal
privileges in the several States giving faith to the pub
lie records OF the States and ordaning the surrender o
fngiives from justice. But this daught, though from the
flaming guardian OF the slave interest contained al
lusion TO fugitive slaves.
In the course OF the convention other plans were
brought forward; the 18th oil June series OF eleven
propositions By Mr.. Patterson OF New Jersey. $50
render the federal constitution adequate the exgen
ces OF government and the preservation OF the Union "
on the 18th OF June, eleven propositions by Mr. Haml-
ton, OF New York. containing his ideas OF suitable
plan of government for the United S,a,es" and the
fsred on the 29ih OF May ..as altered amended and
agrecd TO in Committee OF the Whole House" On the
26h, twenty three resolutions, already adopted differ
eni days In the convention referred 10 Commit
tee OF Deai 10 be reduced 10 the form o constitution.
On the 9th OF August this committee reported the finish
ed draught OF constitution And yet, 10 all these resoln
tons plans and daught, number proceeding from
eminent members and from able mni,tees, auson
made to fugitive slaves For three months the
vention was in session. and not word uttered on this
subject
AT last, on the 2Sth August. as the convention was
drawing TO close the consideration OF the article pro-
vdng Tor the privileges OF citizens in different States,
meet The first reference this NATTER words worthy OF
note General Charles Coeswofh) Pnckney was no,
satisfied with IL. He 10 wish some provision
should be included in favor OF property in slaves Bnt