The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-09-30

banished from the national jurisdiction, will to
vex our national politics. 1t may nger the States
as local institution: will longer engender
tional animostes, when no longer demands national
support p,
National Government to Slavery. pass to the consid
Grafton of the TRUE NATURE THE PROVISION FOR
| THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIvEs FROM LABOR, embra-
cng an examination of this provision in the Consttu
ton and especially of the recent act of Congress in
pursuance thereof. And here, as begin this discus
sion, let me bespeak your candor Not in preiu-
dice, but in the light of history of reason let us con-
conclusion certain.
Much error arises from the exaggerated importance
attached to this provision, and from the assumu
ons with regard to its origin and primitive character
1t is often asserted that it suggested by some soe-
cal difficulty, which had become practically and extern
sively felt anterior to the Constitution. But this is
of the myths fables with which the supporters of
Slavery have surrounded their false god. In the Ar-
cles of Confederation while provision is made for the
surrender of fugitive criminals nothing said of ug
tive slaves servants and there evidence any
quarter until after the National Convention of any
hardship solicitude on this account. No previous
voice heard express desire for any provision
the subject. The story the contrary is modern c
| ton.
put aside as equally fabulous the common saying
that this provision of the original compromises
of the Constitution and essential condition of I'm
ion Though sanctioned by eminent judicial opinions,
it will be found that this statement has been hastily
made, without any support the records of the Con-
vention he only authentic evidence of the comproms
es; will il be easy to find any authority for 1t In
contemporary document, Speech published letter or
pamphlet of kind. 1t is true that there
promises at the formation of the Constitution, which
the subject of anxious debates but this was not of
| them.
There was compromise between the small and large
States, by which equality secured to all the States
in the Senate. There was another compromise finally
carried under threats from the South the motion Of
a New England member. by which the Slave States
wera allowed REPRESENTATIVES according to the whole
number of free persons. and 'threefths of all other
persons thus securing political power of
+ha;r, ,lo eeh,,l
be apportioned in the way. Direct taxes have
been imposed at only four brief intervals. The political
power has been constant, and at this moment sends
twenty one members to the other House.
There a third compromise, which cannot be men
toned without shame. 1t that hateful bargain by
which Congress restrained until 1908 from the
prohibition of the foreign slave trade thus securing
down to that period, liberation for crime. This
pertinacously pressed the South, the extent
of an absolute restraint Congress John Rutledge
said: "f the Convention thinks North Carolina South
Carolina and Georgia will agree this plan 1.-THE
Federal Consttuom unless their right to import slaves
be untouched, the expectation Is vain The people OF
those States will be such fools to give up so
important interest" Charles Pinckney said
South Carolina can never receive the plan LOT the
constitutional if itprohibits the slave trade" Charles
Cotesworth Pinckney Thought himself bound to de-
clare canddly that he did not think South Carolina
would stop her Importation of slaves any short time
The effonery of the Shareholders matched by the
7orddness of the Eastern members who yielded again.
Luther Martin, the eminent member of the Convention
in his contemporary address tbs Legislature of Mary
land has descrbedthe compromise ''Ifound, he says
THAT the Eastern members, their
sion Slavery, very willing to ndu lge the South
States, at least with temporary liberty prose-
the slave trade rouded the Southern Suites ,oould
their turn crafty them, by laying restriction
alton acts" The bargain struck and this price
the Southern States gained the detesabe indulgence
At subsequent day. Congress branded the sla-e trade
piracy, and thus, by solemn legislative act adudged
3 this compromise to be feonious and wicked
Such the three chief original compromises of the
Constitution and essential conditions of Union. The
case of ugtives from laboris not of these During the
Convention, 1t not in any way associated with
these. Nori there any evidence from the records of
this body that the provision this subject regard
ed with any peculiar interest As its absence from the
Articles of Confederation had been the occasion of
solicitude desire, anterior the National Conven-
on it did not enter into of the original plans of
the Cons ttuion It introduced at late period of
the Convention, and with very little and most casual
discussion adopted few facts will show unfounded
are the recent assumptions.
The National Convention convoked to meet at
: Philadelphia the second Monday in May, 1887.
Several members appeared at this time: but majority
of the States being represented those present ad
ourned from day to day until the 25th, when the Con-
venton was organized by the choice of George Wash
!, ngton, as President. On the 2Sh, few brief rules
q and orders adopted On the next day they
i menced their great work
!; On this day Edmund Randolph of slaveholdng Vir
ginia laid before the Convention series of sixteen
e resolutions containing his plan for the establishment
/ of new National Government Here allusion
IS On the same day, Charles Pinckney. of slaye-bold
n ing South Carolina laid before the Convention what
called "a draft o. Federal Government be agreed
upon between the free and independent States of A
n mnuteness of detail Here are provisions borrowed
vi from the Articles of Confederation, securing c-
H. zens of each State equal privileges in the several
Staes giving faith 10 the public records of the States
and ordainng the of fugitives from Justice
Ill But this draft though from the flaming guardian of the
slave interest contained no ausion to fugitive slaves
In the course of the Convention other plans were
brought forward the 18th of June series of eleven
propositions by Mr. Patterson, of New Jersey, $50
to render the Federal Constitution adequate the
! gences OF Government and the preservation of the
10 Union;" the 18th of June, eleven propositions by
n Mr. Hamilton, of New York, containing his ideas OF
suitable plan of Government for the United States
and the 10Th June Mr. Randolphs resolutions, orig
ct and agreed in Committee of the Whole House." On
s the 26th twentythree resolutions, already adopted
~ different days in the Conventions referred
he COMMITTEE of DETAIL to be reduced the form of
RS Constitution On the 9th August this committee re-
ported the finished draft of Constitution. And yet
all all these resolutions plans, and drafts number
is proceeding from eminent members and from able
o. mittees allusion made to fugitive slaves For
three months the Conve nton in session, and
m word uttered on this subject
as At last, the 2sth August, the Convention was
drawing close the consideration of the article
ag providing for the privileges of citizens in different
on Staes meet the first reference this matter, in
Is words worthy of note Gen. [Charles Cotesworh]
he Pinckney not satisfied with it. He SEEMED to
wish provision should be included in favor of prop
erty in slaves" But he made proposition. Unwl
be ing to shock the Convention andsncertan in his
mind, he only seemed to wish suc provision In this
vague expression of vague desire this idea first ap
" peared In this modest, hesating phrase is the germ
is of the audacious unhesatng Slave Act Here the
tale, to the power and dimensions of giant The mex,
article under discussion provided for the surrender Of
of fugitives from justice Mr.. Butler and Mr. Charles
a Pnckney, both from South Carolina, moved open
ly require Fugitive slaves and servants to be dev
ch cred up like criminals" Here disguise With
of Hamlet it said in spirit
Ter Seems, madam nay, it is; l know not
But the very bodness of the effort drew attention and
ed opposition. Mr. Wilson, of Pennsylvania, at OBJ
r ected Ths would oblge the Executive of the State
I'VE to do it the public expense Mr. Sherman of Con
necticut, 'saw proprety in the public seizng
and surrendering slave servant than horse. I'm
the pressure of these objections the offensive pro-
all position quietly withdrawn The article for the
surrender of criminals then adopted On the
day. August 29h, proting by the suggestions already
ne s made Mr. Butler moved proposition
tn like that found in the Consution-no directly fo
ain surrender of ugves slaves originally proposed
of out of ugtves from service labor" winch, with
out debate opposition of any kind unanimously
on adopted.
nst The provision, which showed itself thus tardy
No, slightly noticed in the National Convention,
neglected much discussion be
on fore the people, In the Conventions of S. Carolina,
Use Carolina and VirgniaI commended securing i'm
portan rights, though this point there differ
ence of opinion. In the Virginia Convention, EN-