Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-25

.OSPc' Sull anotner, OF u more important
character. came from the Abolition Society
ot Pennsylvania, and signed by Benjamin
Franklin, as president. This venerable man,
whose active life had been devoted to the
welfare OF mankind at home aud abroad
who both os philosopher and statesman, had
arrested the admiration of the worldwide
mad ravished the lightning from the skies
and the scepter from tyrant-who, as n
member of the Continental Congress, had
set his name TO the Declaration of Indepen-
dcuce, and, as q member of the National
Convention, had again set his name TO the
CONSTITUTIONAL whom more, perhaps, than
IN any other person, was embodied the true
spirit of American institutions, at once prac-
tic1l and hutnane-tbnn whom 10 one could
bo more familiar with the purposes and
aspirations of the founders-ihis veteran,
eighty-four years Of oge, within n few
months of his death, now appeared by petit
lion at the bar of that Congress, whose pow
crs he had helped to define and estnbisb.-
This was tie last political act of his long
life. Listen now 10 the prayer of Franklin.
"Your momoriaisis, particularly engaged
In attending TO the dsiresses arising from
Slavery, believe it to be their indispensable
duty to present this subject to your notice.
They have observed with real satisfaction
that many important and salutary powers
are vested in you for promoting The welfare
and securing the blessings of liberty TO the
people Of the United States and MS they
conceive that these blessings ought rightlil-
ly to be administered, tc'hOut distinction Of
colour to all descriptions of people, so hGi
they indulge themselves in The pleasing erpccia-
zion, that noihing ichich can be done for The re.
lief Of The unhappy Objects Of their care, ioU be
either omitted or delayed" Under these i'm
pressions, they earnestly enlreat your serious
attention TO the subject of Slavery that you
triH be pleased 10 couniendnce The restoration Of
liberty 10 those unhappy men, ,oho alone in his
land Of Freedom, are dergdded into perpetual
bondage, and, who, amidst the general Joy Of
surrounding freemeD, nre groauing in servilc
suijeciion; that you will promote mercy and
justice towards this distressed race, and that
you ioiH step 10 The reyy re'ge Of he poicer rested
IN you for DLSCOUR4G[.N'G every species
Of traffic in The persons'of our .jeiiop men"
Important words In themselves KEY
note of the times. From his grave Franklin
seems still to call upon Congress 10 step 10 The
very Uerge Of The poicer rested IN Il 10 DlsCoUR-
AGE SLAVERY; aud, in making this prayer,
he proclaims the true national policy of the
Fathers. Not encouragement, but discour-
agement Of Slavery was their rule.
Sir, enough has been said to show the
sentiment which, like vital air, surrounded
the National GovernWent as it STEPPED into
being In the face of this history, and in
the absence of any positive sanction, il is
absurd TO suppose that Slavery, which under
the Confederation was merly sectional was
now constituted n national nsiituiion.-
But there is yet another link in the argument.
In the discussion which took place in the
local conventions on the adoption of the
u sensitive desire was manifest
ed to surround all persons under the Consii-
tuition with additional safeguards. Fears
were expressed from the supposed indefinite
ness of some Of the powers conceded to The
National Government, and also from an alb
sence of Bill of Rights. Massachusetts,
ON ru;ifying the Constitution, proposed Sc
ries of amendments, ut the head of which
was this, characterized by Samuel Adams, in
the Convention, as ga summary of Bill
Of Rights"
"Thnt il be explicitly declared, that all
powers not expressly delegated by the aiore
said Constitution arc reserved to the several
Suites, TO be by them exercised"
Virginia, South Carolinn, and North Carroll
ma, with minorities in lennsy lvauia and Ma
ryland, united in this proposition. 10 pur
suance of these Recommendations, the fist
Congress presented for adoption the follow
ing article, which, being ratified by proper
number of States, became part of the Con-
us the 10th amendment:
"The powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited ly
il 10 the States, ure reserved 10 tie States
respectively, or to the people"
Stronger words could not be employed TO
limit the power under the Constitution, and
10 protect the people from all assumptions
of the National Government, particularly IN
de-ogation Of Freedom Its guardian charac-
ter commended it to the sagacious mind of
jefferson, who said, 81 consider tho iounda-
iion corner stone Of the Constitution of the
United Stutcs to be laid upon the tenth arti-
Gle of the amendment" Aud Samuel Adams,
ever watchiul for Freedom, said: "lt re-
moves doubt which many have entertained
respecting the matter, and gives assurance
ihni, il any law made by the Federal Co
vernment shall be extended beyond the pow
or granted by the Constitution, and inconsis-
tent with the Constitution of this State, il
will be an error, and adjudged by the courts
of law 10 be void"
Beyond all question the National Govern
ment, ordained by the constitution, is not
general or universal but special and partic-
ular. il is n Government of limited powers.
II has no power which is not delegated. Es-
pecially is this clear with regard to an nsli-
iution like Slavery. The Constitution con-
tains no power to make King or support
kingly rule. With similar reason it may he
said, that il contains no power TO make a
slave or to support a system Of Slavery
The absence OF all such power is hardly
more clear in one case than the other
HonAcE MANN,-Ilas addressed letter
20 his constituents declining 10 be again II