The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-15
For the National Era.
THE SOUTHERN PLATFORM;
MANUAL OF SOUTHERN SENTIMENT ON THE
SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

{ SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.
Being a Compilation from the Writings Q
J Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Others
tchoSe names are eonSecTated IN the Affection
! of the Southern Peopie-the Debates an III
Federal and State Conventions shieh france
and ratified the Constitution Of the Unite'
= States-those wAich occurred an the first Con
crosses tohieh sat during the Administration
; of General Washing ton--d,ad srtraets from
the Debate an the Virginia Legislature a.
1892 ,oith parios letters, judicial decisions, 3e
BY DANIEL R. GooDLoE, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
ANNALS OF C0NGRESs.-Cou Continued.
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1890.
Mr. Hartley moved that the report of the
Committee on the Memorials of the people
called Quakers should be taken up for "a Sec
ond reading; which motion being adopted, II
was read as follows, viz:
REPORT
That from the nature of the matters con-
, tanned in those memorials, they were induced
TO examine the powers vested in Congress un-
der the present Constitution, relating to the
abolition of Slavery and are clearly of Opln-
ion
First That the General Government is ex-
pressly restrained from prohibiting the import
alton of such persons as any of the States now
existing shall think proper to admit until the
year 1908.
Secondly That Congress, by fair construc-
ton of the Constitution, are equally restrained
from interfering in the emancipation Of slaves
who already are, or who may, within the peri
Cd mentioned be imported into or born within
any OF the said States.
Thirdly. That Congress have no authority
to interfere in the internal regulations of par
ticuar States, relative to the instruction of
slaves in the principles of morality and religion,
to their comfortable clothing, accommodation
and subsistence; to the regulation of their
marriages, and the prevention Of the violation
of the rights thereof, or to the separation of
children from their parents to a comfortable
provision in the case of sickness age, or infrm-
ty, or to the seizure transportation, or sale, of
free negroes; but have the fullest confidence in
the wisdom and humanity of the Legislatures
of the several States, that they will revise their
laws from time to time, when necessary, and
promote the objects mentioned in the memori-
ais, and every other measure that may tend to
the happiness of slaves.
| Fourthly. That nevertheless, Congress have
authority if they shall think it necessary, to
lay at any time, tax OF duty, not exceeding
the importation of whom shall be by any of
the States admitted as aforesaid.
Filthy. That Congress have authority to in
terdict or $50 far as it is or may be carried on
by citizens of the United States, for supplying
foreigners) to regulate the African trade, and
to make provision for the humane treatment
Of slaves, in all cases, while on their passages
to the United States, or to foreign ports, as far
as it respects the citizens of the United States.
Sixthly. That Congress have also authority
to prohibit foreigners from fitting out vessels
in any part Of the United States, for transport
ing persons from Africa to any foreign port
Seventhly That the memorialists be inform
ed that in all cases, to which the authority of
; Congress extends, they will exercise it for the
humane objects Of the memorialists, 80 far as
they can be promoted on the principles of jus.
tice, humanity, and good policy
Mr.. Smith, of South Carolina, moved that
the above be referred to Committee of the
Whole, to be taken up the first Monday in
May next.
Mr.. Boudinot proposed the first Monday in
April
Mr.. Jackson opposed the latter period He
urged several reasons which rendered it ex.
tremely inconyenient to assign 80 early day
proper knowledge Of the present state of the
impOrtatiOns and other particulars respecting
the slave trade which cannot be known u
/, early, call for q longer time. He adverted I,
!, the peculiar circumstances of the Southern
= States, and urged the necessity and justice 0
requiring more perfect knowledge OF the sen
a timents of their constituents. To adopt it il
Q it, present form, would produce infinite mis-
f chiefs in the Southern States; it would excit
{ tumults, seditions, and instructions.
Mr.. Vining opposed a postponement HI
/. considered the report if adopted, as an honor
4 able declaration of the sentiments Of the Legis
0 lature on this important business. He coul,
not conceive that there were any grounds 70
= the alarming apprehensions entertained b.
4 some gentlemen.
i. Mr.. Boudinot observed, that if the report wa
+ calculated to produce such effects, the argu
{ ment is in favor Of the shortest period tina
: the report may be 80 amended AZ to proven
. those effects. He moved the first Monday il
April, because he expected that Congress woul,
rise in May, and he thought it would not b
0 giving the business that attention which it de
). served, to postpone it to period which ma
' preclude oil discussion of the subject whatever
Mr.. Smith, Of South Carolina, and Mr.. Stone
: urged the postponement. The latter gentleman
observed that he had not approved of the in
, |
thought that persons that were not ntereste,
ought not to interfore-suah interierences sa
vorcd very strongly of an intolerant spirit, an,
he could not suppose that any one of the State
, had right to interfere in the internal regula
tons of another. States were not accountable
, to each other for their moral conduct HI
wished that the interesting circumstances o
0 the States which would be 80 materially eff
: footed might be taken into consideration, ant
: the subject postponed to the first Monday il
May
Q Mr.. Vining replied, that it was very extraor
; binary that a humane, liberal spirit-a wish Il
!. ditfuse universal hberty-should be called al
:. intolerant spirit; and disnterested persons h
Q bad always supposed the most likely to form
Just judgment He could not but approve o
Q the report of the committee it was couched il
IS terms OF humanity and prudence, and did grea
honor to the gentlemen who framed it,
b Mr.. Boudinot observed, that as there wer,
y some expressions in the report, which, if alter
r cd, might give satisfaction to all parties, h,
0 would move that the House should now 20 int,
. Committee Of the Whole, in order TO max,
/ the alterations.
r Mr.. Jackson said, for the purpose of alterin,
the phraseology, he should have no objection
!, to going into a committee.
) Mr.. Burke was for postponing the business
altogether; he dilated on the pernicious conse
II quences which might be expected to flow from
An interference in the business
Mr.. Smith, of South Carolina, moved tina
the report should be recommitted He expa
tiated on the construction which might be pu
on the several parts Of the report, and SHOWED
: their pernicous tendency. He was pointedly
severe in animadvertng on the conduct of tn,
memorialists in meddling with the business.
i Mr.. Sherman opposed this motion. He sale
that this report was agreeable to his ideas
, was prudent, humane, and judicious.
The motion for recommitment was ncgatived
, Ii was then voted that it should be referred I,