The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-14
Y DANIEL R. GooDLoE, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
ICONTINUED.l

First clause Of the ninth section read.
Mr.. J. Mcdowell wished to hear the reasons
Of this restriction.
Mr.. Spaight answered, that there was con-
test between the Northern and Southern
States that the Southern States, whose prln-
cipal support depended on the labor of slaves,
would not consent to the desire of the Northern
States to exclude the importation of slaves alb
solutely that South Carolina and Georgia in
sisted on this clause as they were now in want
of hands to cultivate their lands that in the
course of twenty years they would be fully sup
piled that the trade would be abolished then,
and that in the mean time some tax or duty
might he laid on.
Mr. McDowall replied, that the explanation
was Just such as he expected, and by no means
satisfactory to him, and that he looked upon ii
as a very Objectionable part Of the system.
Mr. lredell. Mr.. Chirman, rise to express
sentiments similar to those of the gentleman
from Craven. For my part, were it practicable
60 put an end to the importation of slaves i'm
mediately, it would give me the greatest pleas-
ure, for it certainly is trade utterly incOn.
sstent with the rights of humanity, and under
which great cruelties have been exercised
When the entire abolition of Slavery takes
place, it will be On event which must be pleas
ing 70 every generous mind, and every friend
Of human nature but we often wish for things
which are not attanable 10 was the wish OF
a great majority of the Convention TO put an
end 10 the trade Immediately but the States of
South Carolina and Georgia would not agree
70 it, Consider, then, what would be the diff
ference between our present situation, in this
respect, if we do not agree to the Constitution
and what it will be if we do agree to it If We
do not agree TO it, do we remedy the evil? No,
sir, we do not for if the Constitution be not
adopted, it will be in the power Of every State
90 continue it forever. They may or may not
abolish it, at their discretion. But if we adopt
the Constitution the trade must cease after
twenty years if Congress declare so, whether
particular States please 50 or not. Surely,
then, we gain by it, This was the utmost that
could be obtained heartily wish more could
have been done. But as it is, this Government
is nobly distinguished above others by that very
provision. Where is there another country in
which such restriction prevails? We, there
fore, sir, set an example of humanity by pro
Vidng for the abolition Of this inhuman traffic
though at distant period hope, therefore
that this part of the Constitution will not be
condemned, because it has not stipulated for
what was impracticable to obtain.
that the limitation of this trade to the term OF
twenty years, was compromise between the
Eastern States and the Southern States South
Carolina and Georgia wished to extend the
term the Eastern States insisted Oh the entire
abolition of trade, That the State of North
Carolina had not thought proper to pass any
law prohibiting the importation of slaves and
therefore it's delegation in the Convention did
not thipk than,S vaa oufhOrizad IN coptand for
an immediate prohibition of it.
Mr. Iredell added to what he had said before,
that the States of Georgia and South Carolina
had lost great many slaves during the war,
and that they wished to supply the loss
Mr.. Galloway Mr.. Chairman, the expla.
nation given to this clause does not satisfy my
mind | wish to Zee this abomnable trade put
an end to. But in case it be thought proper
to continue this abOminable traffic for twenty
years, vet do not wish to see the tax on the
importation extended to all persons whatsoever
Our situation is different from the people to
the North We want citizens they do not
Instead Of laying tax, we ought to give
bounty to encourage foreigners TO come among
us. With respect to the abolition of Slavery
1T requires the utmost consideration. The
property of the Southern States consists princi
pally OF slaves. If they mean TO do away Sla-
very altogether, this property will be destroyed.
apprehend it means to bring forward manu-
mission If we must manumt our slaves, what
country shall we send them to- IL is impOs
slble to be happy, if, after manumission, they
are to stay among W..
Mr.. lrodell. Mr.. Chairman, the worthy
gentleman ] believe, has misunderstood this
clause, which runs in the following words
" The migration or importation of such persons
as any OF the States now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior 10 the year lS08, but tax or
duty may be imposed on such importation, not
exceeding ten dollars for each person" Now
sir, observe that the Eastern States, who long
ago have abolished Slavery, did not approve OF
the expression, slaves they therefore used an
other that answered the same purpose. The
committee will observe the distinction between
the two words, migration and importation. The
hrst part OF the clause will extend to persons
who come into the country as free people, or
are brought as slaves but the last part extends
TO slaves only. The word migration refers to
Tree persons; bat the word importation refers
TO slaves, because free people cannot be said to
DC imported. The tax therefore, is only to be
lald on slaves who are imported, and not on
Tree persons, who migrate | further beg leave
to say, that the gentleman is mistaken in an.
other thing. He seems to say that this extends
to the abolition Of Slavery. Is there anything
IN this Constitution which says that Congress
shall have it in their power to abolish the sla-
very Of those slaves who are now in the coun-
try Is it not the plain meaning Of it. that
after twenty years they may prevent the future
importation of slaves! 1t does not extend 10
those now in the country. There is another
circumstance TO DO observed. There il no au-
thOrity vested in Congress TO restrain the States
in the interval Of twenty years, from doing
what they please. If they wish to inhibit such
importation, they may do SO. Our next AS.
sembly may put an entire end to the importa-
ton Of slaycs.--PdgeS, SO, 81, SO.
Article fourth. The first section, and two
first clauses of the second section, read without
observations
The last clause read
Mr.. lredel begged leave TO explain the rea.
son OF this clause. In some of the Northern
States they have emancipated all their slaves
If any OF our slaves said he, go there, and 70.
main thore certain time, they would, by the
present laws, be entitled to their freedom, so
that their masters could not get them again
This would be extremely prejudicial to the in.
habitants of the Southern States, and, TO pre-
vent it, this clause is inserted in the Consttu.
ton. Though the word slave be not mentioned
this is the meaning of it. The Northern dele.
gates owing to their particular scruples on the
subject Of Slavery, did not choose the word
slave TO be mentoned.-Pdge 1877.
Mr., lredell. 1t is, however, to be observed
that the first and fourth clauses in the nintl
section OF the first article are protected from
any alteration till the year 1908 and in orde
that no consolidation should take place, it i
provided that no State shall, by any amend
ment or alteration be ever deprived of an equs
suffrage in the Senate, without its own consent
The two first prohibitions are with respect I.
the census according 10 which direct taxes ar,
imposed, and with respect to the importation
Of slaves. As to the first, II must be observed
IL -. 4. .t.l A, 4