Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-14

tfRttooth VI iiutfitfs
of the Constitution, while celebrating
and perfecting its various articles, is
the surest and strongest possible evil
dence of the policy they intended TO
embody in this charter of American
liberties and is also the safest guide
TO its true Interpretation. The dis
cusson arose ia the following man
ner: August 6, Mr. Rutedge, Of
South Carolina gave in the report Of
the Committee of detail on the Con-
sttution. Art. VII. Sect. 4, provid-
ed that no tax or duty shall be laid
on the migration or importation Of
such persons as the several States
shall think proper to admit nor shall
such migration or importation be pro-
hiblted" August 81, Mr.. Martin,
of Maryland, moved to amend this
section so as to allow a prohibition or
tax on the importation of slaves
The discussion ensued on this amend
ment. Mr.. Rutledge, Of South Car
DINA, opposed Mr.. Martins amend
men,. Mr.. Ellsworth, of Connect
cut, was for leaving the section as
II stood IN the report" Mr.. Pi0ck-
ney, of South Carolina, said his
State would never allow the prohlbi-
ton of the slave trade" August %,
the discussion was resumed Mr..
Sherman, of Connecticut, "was for
leaving the clause as it stood. He
observed that the abolition of slave
~ seemed to be going on in the u
ul,ed States, aud he believed the
good sense of the people would in
time complete it," Mr.. Gerry, of
Massachusetts, d" thought we had no
thing to do with the conduct of
States as to slaves; but we ought to
be careful not TO give any sanction
to a." Mr.. Dickinson, OF Delaware,
said, "thIs question ought not to be
left to the States particularly interest
ed. II England and France permit
ted slavery, slaves were at the same
I time excluded from both kingdoms.
/ Greece aud Rome were made IN
happy by their slaves" Mr.. Lang
don, of New Hampshire, ." could
not with good conscience leave it
with the States, who could 20 Oh
with the traffic" Mr.. Rutledge, OF
South Carolina, said " the people OF
North aud South Carolina and Geor-
gIa, would never be such fools as to
give up 50 important an interest. -
Mr. williamson, of North Carolina
SAID the southern States would
not be members uf the Union, if the
clause was rejected Mir. Sherman
sand, II was better TO let the South
ern States import slaves than to par
with them, # they made that a sin,
qua nom" Col Mason, of Virgin
ia vas III favor of the amendment
he said, Z" tins internal traffic orig
mated ~ the avaricc OF BRUSH mer
chants. The British government
constantly checked the attempts o
Virginia To put stop To IT. Siaverl
diScOuTdgeS arts and manufactures
The poor desplse labor when perform
ed by slaves. They prevent the im
migration of whites, who really en-
rich aud strengthen a country. The,
produce the most periaciouS effect o.
manners. Every master of slaves i
born a petty tyrant They bring th'
judgments OF heaven on a country
He held IT essential in every point O
view, that the general government
should have power TO prerent the an
crease Of SiaUay." Mr.. Ellsworth
followed Mr. Mason. He said as n
had never owned slave, he coul'
not Judge of the effects OF slavery OF
character Ii il was 10 be consider
ed in morGt light, we ought TO fire
those already in the county," MI
Gerry said, " let as not in,ermeddle
slavery in time will not be a specl
In our country" Mr.. Randolph, O
Virginia, was Tor committing tn
article, in order that some middl
ground might, # possible, be found
lie would never agree to the claus
as it stood he would sooner riS.
the Constitution" 1t was commltte
to committee OF eleven. Angus
"a, Gov. Livingston, of New Jer
sey, made the following report iror
the committee " Strike out SO muc
of Section A as was referred TO III
committee, and insert the migratio
or importation of such persons a
the several States HOio ersStiag sha
lhiak proper to admit, shall not b
prohibited by the Legislature pric
10 the 1900" August %, this re
port was taken up. Gen. Pinckney
of South Carolina, moved "to strik
out 1900, and insert 1905" Nj
Madison, OF Virginia, made stron
speech against the change, but 1t {
nally prevailed, and was so embod
ed in the Constitution. In the voi
= Maryland and the New Euglan
States loIned with the extreme Soul
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dels
; ware and Virginia voted against it,
On adopting the article IN the Cor
= slltutlon, the vote was the same
See Madison papers, vol. iii. p. 1884,
and onward. Also quotations iroI
: the same, New York Observe
! March 23.
: lhiHk no man, on reading IN
: discussion, can believe that the view
0 of the trainers of the Constitute
e admitted the extension Of slavery
IL h,