The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-12


Being Compilation from the Writings of
Washington Je6erson, Madison, and others,
whose names are conscraird in the affections
# ths Southern Plopie-the Debates an the
Federal and State Conventions phich framed
and ratified The Constitution Of the United
StateS-thoSe which occurred an the first Con-
crosses WHich sat during the administration
IF General WGdlngt0n-dnd ertrdcis from
che Debate IN The Virginia. Legislature in
1882 1cih UGriouS letters, Judicial DECISIONS &c.
by DANIEL r. GOoDLoE, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
PREFACE.
In the compilation of this volume have at
tempted to bring together all that tho most
eminent Southern Revolutionary characters
have left ~ in their writings upon the subject
Of Slavery. It will be seen that their testimony
IS almost unanimous against the Institution.
The leading minds of the South, except those
Of South Carolina and Georgia, were not less
impressed with the evils Of Slavery-moral,
economical, and pOlitcal-than those OF the
North. Indeed, the most ultra Anti-Slavery
views which this volume will be found to con-
tain, are those Of Mr. Jefferson. In the Fede-
ral Convention which framed the Constitution
not vOica was raised in unqualified defence
and Justification Of it, for even the members
from South Carolina only apologized for the in
stitution while those from Maryland, Virginia,
and North Clrolna, either openly denounced
1t as criminal and disgraceful, or freely admit
Eed its evils
In the State Conventions Slavery was treat
ed with equal disfavor In those of Virginil
and North Carolina it was rcprobated by Fed
1ralists and Anti Federalists-by the fvicnd
and cnemiea Cf the Constitution. Patricl
Henry and George Mason were not less lone
in their deuunciation1 Of Slavery than Madi
son, Edmuad Randolph and Pendeton II
the North Carolina Conventions the leading
characters were equally emphatic in condemn
ing it.
These invaluable testimonies against Sla
very, coming from the highest Southern au
thorities will be treasured up by Anti. Slavery
men, rs induhitablc proof Of the justice o
their cause. But | apprehend that many vii
ice regret and disappointment on finding thai
the same great men who reprobated Slavery
as an unmitigated evil, were no less strenuou.
IN shielding it from the interference of the Fed
sral Government than its avowed advocates
I profess TO set forth the views of the men o
rhe Revolution upon the question of Slavery
and must DO 80 fairly and impartially; anC
to this end have taken nearly every passag,
from the Madison Papers and Elliot's Debate
in the Federal and State Conventions which
relate to The subject with extended extract
from the Debates in Congress during the Ad
minstration of General Washington.
To denounco Slavery in one breath and +
insist upon constitutional guarantees FOR it
maintenance in the next, may seem iuconslst
ent TO the minds of ardent Anti-Slavery me-
OF tho present day; but they should recolec
that the whole question Of State Rights is in
VOlyed in this one of Slavery, and That to SUI
render the sovereignty of the States in thi
instance is to open the way to consolidation
sAnd, further, allowing Slavery to be an unmit
gated evil as the people of the South general
did at that time, they justly regarded then
selves Ns better qualified to apply the remed
than the people of distant States, who wei
not particularly interested in the matter.
think that reasonable Ant-Slavcry men, upo
cool reflection, will concode this point.
My object in making this publication is NJ
TO produce sectional feeling, but to awaken
Southern minds those noble and generous SCI
timents of freedom which animated their al
cestors.
When the American people emerged froi
the war OF the Revolution, their commerce an
Federation, the States, and indiv.duals We,
overwhelmed with debt. 1t required gre,
Saith in The success Of the Republican exper
lnent they were making to iorcsec the pcrio
when these accumulated embarrassments woul
be removed All that could be hoped for m
nv years, was that the Government would
able to meet existing and ordinarily aecruin
demands upon its exchsquer without incurrin
further obligations The patriots of that da
therefore, with every disposition to carry OF
their principles of freedom, and equity 10 the
legitimate results thought it utterly imprac'
cable to do 30. They we're induced to adjou'
the question Of Emancipation TO a future da
They anx,ously and hopefully looked forwal
10 the period when they could remove whit
they denOminatod the foul blot" of SLAYER
This idea pcrvades the writings Of all the gre,
and good men of that time as this volun
abundantly demonstrates.
IL is worthy Of remark, that at the Revolt
tionary era, Pennsylvania was q slaveholdin
State, aud equenily, the views of DR., Fran
lin, GouVerneur Morris and Mr.. Wilson, a
al "A MI A fbnse of Waahiugtnn 4.