The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-15

These reflections were suggested TO our mind by the
Perusa OF an article 10 The January lumber OF the West
minister Review on American slavery A more offensive
dianbe against the Institutions OF this country never
issued IRON The British press II is an auocious libel on
the character OF the American people. Not only are the
evils oil slavery Infinitely exaggerated-not only are the
citizens oil the South UNANIMOUSLY raducednot only is
the enre country held to be aecursed by the contact Of
sayery-bat an inammstory appeal addressed to the
aboltonisls, urging them to renew the war OF sectional
agitation, and to compel the concessions of their de.
mands, even at the hazsrd OF disunion and civil war
The reader will sympahze with our resentment when
he peruses the following extract which we may appro
prately enttle
Inc Programme of ABOLITION dgitation.
'Taking however. the slavish nlerpretation--which
doubtless that Of the original trainers OF the consu
on, us is that oil Its present ndersthere H.
even Them only these slave clauses Art L. sec e. which
provided for the continuance of the slave trade or the mi.
grafton or importation OF such persons any States
now existing shall think proper admit till lSOS.' Art
2, which appotons the representation TO each State
by adding 10 the whole number OF free persons
OF all other persons and art A. in which the pro-
vision i'r delivery OF fugves from labor, which is
grounded the late fugitlve-save law. 50 much for
positive slave provisions But the support which the mas
ters claim from the constitution, is much what
it does not say than from what it does say. II was
compact, several
In order 10 secure the advantages union
cede central federal power somewhat of their Sc
rate sovereignty but by this very act, proving that all
these powers and rights which they did not concede re
NAMED invioute. No concession then being made Of the
OF the strong ensave the weak the strong
their right do long they True enough the
limitations OF the State rights do any of them bear
directly the ensavng power but 1t is worth observing
how lar they do indirectly BY sect g. Con.
qress has power regulate among the several
ha int.x
trade, acknowledged by no less authority than Mr. Clay
who in the first introduction of his compromise
in 1885, admitted the present existence of this con-
trolling power by including for the peIpetuy Of the
slave trade between the States unless forbidden by them
selves BY art. a. sec. q Congress has power admit
fresh States into the Union; but II not Obliged
to admit them, it OF course has power prevent
the future alton OF any but free States Again by
ano her clause in the section Congress exercises
exclusive legislation the District of Columbia and by
art 4, section 2 il has power to dispose Of and make
all needu rules and regulations respecting the territory
the United STATES and therefore Congress can free all
slaves in either Distc territory Nay, furher judging
merely from their wording these clauses would
enable il declare all slaves free touching the tona
soil provision for the OF fagtves only
rng those who had escaped from State into another
State, and making mention of such had escaped
national utraState domain Lastly, in the fifth article
Of amendments, duly passed tilted in the first
sion of the first Congress- and therefore imboded in
creed 10 by every official dignitary
find this pregnant provision No person shall be
deprived of life liberty, properly without process OF
lava provision which, Mr. Sumner stated his late
eloquent speech in the Senate. would Il practically
applied, carry freedom all within its influence How
this influence extends, whether beyond the special
national jurisdiction, might indeed be difficult deter
mine but this much seems pretty pain--hat soon
the slave party be the Lawmakers and law.ex
Founders of The Union, this clause will be felt 10 abolish
slavery in the federal district and in ali national territories
high under the national a and when the an
nj
should be surprised nd made the foundation
of emanci patton act In like manner article OF the
stating that ue and unusual
shall inflicted would, ii duly carried out
the M make has 'properfy' unieusble.o