The daily union., 1854-03-04


Against The repeal OF the Missouri prohboa OF slavery
north OF 80 deg 80 min devege in the Senate,
February 2l 1854.
/" Cursed be he that removelh his neighbos andln ark
And all the people shall say, Amen." -Dsut, ch. xvii
", H.
The Senate having under consideration the bill to es-
tablish territorial governments in Nebraska and Kansas
Mr.. SUMNER concluded as follows:
II. Mr. President. it is not only as an nfacion Of
solemn compact imboded in ancient law, that arrasn
This bill arraign il also fragrant and exttavagant
departure from the original policy of fathers,
Grated ny their lives, OPINIONS, and acts.
And here, sir, bear with me in a brief recital oil un-
questionable facts. AT the period OF the declaration Of
Independence, there upwards OF half million col
ored persons slavery throughout the united colonies
These unhappy people were originally stolen from Africa
children Of those who ha been stocn and,
though distributed throughout the whole country,
to be found in largest numbers in the southern States
But the spirit Of freedom then prevailed in the land The
fathers Of the republic, leaders in the OF ndepend
ence, were struck with the inconsistency of an appeal
for their own liberties, while holding bondage their
fellow-men, only guiliy OF skin not coored like their
own. The same conviction animated the hearts OF the
people, whether at the North South ln town meet
ing at Danbury, Connecticut. held on the i2lh OF De-
cember, ITS, the following declaration was made:
" IL is with singular pleasure we note the second article
Of the association, in which Is agreed to import no more
negro slaves but think it papabe absurdty
so loudly 70 complain OF attempts to enslave us while we
IAa Archives, 4h Series. Vol L., ,p 1898
The South responded in similar strains AT meeting
in Darien Georgia. in 1775, the following important res
oluton was put forth:
ITO show the world tha, are nor Influenced by
philanthropy for all mankind. OF whstever climate, Ian
guage, complexion. hereby declare disappoba-
(however uncuivated of tho country other
speciou Arguments plead for W practice tounded in
well as lives debasing part OF our elow-creaines be-
low men, and couptns the virtue and morals Of the est
iat haSi isnfva and
which pray the Almighty continue 70 the latest pos
teriiy, upon wrong foundation We therefore re-
all times u utmost endeavors for the
omission OF slaves IN this colony, upon the mos! sale
and equitable footing for the masters and ihemseiyes
dm Archtres, 4t Striss, Vot i, p. ll35.
The soul Of Virginia, during this PERIOD found also
fervd uerance through Jefferson, who, by precocous
aud immortal words, has enrolled himself among the
earliest abotionsts OF the country. la his address TO
the Virginia convention of l774, he openly avowed,
while vndicaing the rights of Brush America that the
abolition OF domestic slavery is the greatest object OF de-
sire in these colonies. where i was unhappy introduced
in their infant state" And then again, n the Decara
ton of Independence, he mbodied sentiments, which,
when practically applied will give freedom TO every
slave throughout the land "We hold these truths TO
be seltevdent says country speaking by the voice
OF Jefferson, "lha all created equal-that they
are endowed with certain naienable rights that among
these life, liberty, and the pursuit OF happiness And
again. the Congress of the confederation, brought
forward early 1884, resolution exclude slavery
from all the territory ceded be ceded" by the States
OF the federal government including the whole territory
Lost at hrs by single vote only, this measure re-
new restricted form al subsequent day, by
of Massachusetts,. and, IN l7s7, was finally con-
trmed the ordinance OF The North western Territory,
BY unanimous vote OF the States.
Thus early and distinctly do discern the anti slave
ry character Of the founders OF ourrepabc and their de-
termination place the national government within the
sphere Of s jurisdiction, openly actively, and perpe,u-
ally on the sude OF freedom
The national constitution was adopted in i7ss And
here we discern the spirit The emphatic words OF
the Declaration OF Independence which country took
upon it's lips bapsma vows when claimed its place
among the nations oil the earth, were not forgotten The
preamble the constitution renews them, when II de-
cates its object be- among other things, o establish
aslce TO promote the general welfare, and 10 secure the
blessings OF liberty 10 ourselves and poserlty Thus,
according undeniable words the constitution was or
daned not establish secure, or sanction slavery-Dot
to promote the special interest OF slaveholders--noi TO
make slavery naonal IN any way form, or manner-not
10 foster this great wrong, but to establish Justice,
spromo, the general welfare and secure the blessings
OF liberty" The dscredlabe words sape and slsuery
were not allowed to ind place in this instrument while
cause subsequently added by way ot amendment,
and therefore, according TO the rules OF Interpretation,
particularly revealing the sentiments oi the founders,
which is calculated. Ike the Declaration OF lndepend-
ence il practically applied carry freedom 10 all within
the spbefe OF ils influence II chcally declared
tba, 'no person shall be deprived OF life, berty or proper
y WITHOUT due process OF oflaw-nas s, without due pre-
sentiment, indictment, other judicial proceeding Here
il an express guard of personal liberty and aexpress in
ierdicl upon INVASION anywhere within the national
jurisdiction.
ntt
tion that slavery, like the slave trade, was regard
ed as temporary and have been supposed BY
many thai they would both disappear together Nor do
any words employed IN our day depounce II with an IN
dsnaliop more burning than those which gowed the
lps of The fathers Early the convention, GoverBeur
Morris OF Pennsylvania broke forth IN the language OF
an aboli,on,st: He would concur IN uphoding
domestic slavery Ii was a nefarous institution II
was the curse OF Heaven" In another mood and with
mild lurldcal phrase, MI. Madison Thought II wrong
10 admit IN the constitution the idea OF property IN man
I And Mast in
which completely describe the aims OF an abolonlst
avowed shat among his hrst wishes to see some
ula n adopted by which slavery may be abolished by
iawr and that 10 this end his suffrage should not be
wanlii,g
In M, spr, was the national constitution adopted
In this sfn ri the national government was hrst organ
zed uader Washington And here there is fact OF pc
cul,ar nee, TO which have already on former
occasion eaiied snton but which well worthy Of per-
peua memory ~ the time that this great Chief took his
first oath 10 support ibe constitution Of the United States
the national ensign nowhere within the national Ter
ritory covered single On the sea- an execfsble
piracy the ade in slaves still, 10 the national
dali tolerated under the national flag 10 the States az
sectional institution, beneath The shelter OF local laws
slavery unhappily found home But IN me only ferri-
iores al this time belonging the naton the broad
gion of The Northwest, II had already. BY tbe ordinance
OF freedom been made impossible, before the adop
ton OF the constitution The District OF Columbia, with
it's fatal dowfy, had not yet been acquired
Entering upon hrs high duties, ashngton, himself an
aboIitonis surrounded BY men who by Their lives
aud declared opinions, pledged 10 warfare with sa-
very There was John Adams, the Wee Presdent-
great vindlcstor and Da negotiaor OF our national ndc
Ipendepee--xhose soul, ianing win freedom, broke
torsh the early declaration, that conseD'ng TO slavery