The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1852-06-22
slavery I'M Columbia

Last week we stated that while Mr
Fillmore was in Congress stirring up
abolition excitement, and adding fuel
to IL. Gen Pierce was endeavoring to
suppress 1t, and teach the northern peo'
pie the folly and danger Of such agi'as
ton. lie made the following remarks
in congress in 1893, on the subject Of
slavery In the District ofColumbia.
at the time the cession was made,
domestic slavery existed in the states of
MARYLAND and Virginia; II still exists
there; and IL has also existed there from
hat day to this. Now. how In n p.,s-
sihle TO mistake what must have hem
he understanding Of both parties al the
fimef No man, II strikes me, csq foe
moment doubt, will regard, with.
nut prejudice, the relative position of
his "ten miles square, the objects of
he cesgion, and the manifest interests
of the states making II. Who can be-
Iieve that these patriotic states would
have parted with their territory. ilihey
could have supposed that the rights
and property of their citizens, living
upon il, were 90 be invaded, against
their consent and in defiance Of their
remonstrancesf have no hesitation
In saying that ! consider slavery so-
cial and political evil, Land most sincere
iy wish It had no existence upon the
face Of the earth; but II is perfectly i'm
material how II may be regarded. ei.
ther by you or myself; il is not for us
to sit Ia judgment and determine whe.
ther the rights secured to the different
states by the constitution are blessings
or otherwise; II 10 sufficient for the are
gument that they are rights, which tho
inhabitants do not choose 70 relin-
'quish.
Further, Mr.. Present. suppose for @
moment, that the cession had never
been made, and that the States of Ma
ryland and Virginia should now ate
tempt. without the consent Of the inha.
bitants Of the District. to interfere with
this description Of propcr;y--to abolish
slavery within these portions of their
respective limits, and retain IL upon Its
present basis, in every other parton.
What would be the consequence why
the law could never be enforced, and
that every rejecting man, throughout
the length and breadth Of this country,
would revolt at such wanion disre>
gard of-qual justice and of eenarsights
and privileges. And yet, because the
states have generously ceded theirier
ritory to you for certain purposes, you
propose TO do this very thing, and thus
requiie their confidence and their spirit
Of accommodation, by opening COM
mon refuge for their runaway slaves.
| viii only add. upon this point. that
the Aboiitionist would do well to pause
in the midst Of hts zeal, and inquire
calmly and dispassionaiely whether.
in fact, any thing more than a nominal
advantage would he gained by the abb
olition OF slavery In this District, and.
whether even this would not be aequi>
red at serious sacrifice. II is admit
ted that domestic slavery exists here
in its mildest form. That populaiioD
are bound together by friendship and
the nearer relations Of life. They arc
attached to the families in which they
have lived from childhood. They are
comfortably provided for. and appar-
entity contented. Now, let a bill for tho
abolition Of slavery in the District pass
either HOUSE Of Congress. and what
would take place herel Why. before
J i conld possibly become a Law all these
/. tfaa s,,o,,td he su,da~ad