The daily union., 1854-02-10
Congressional Non-Interyeutiop.

The author OF the following communication is of
the ables statesmen and Ipest scholars in country
We gladly greet him into columns and are gratiRed
to know that shall receive other contributions from
his pen
To the Editor Of The UniOa:
Sir The subject of the non-iniesntion of Congfess
regards the institution Of slavery being under discus
sion in hat body might not be amss to call tho alton
ton of the members the proceedings of the Congress OF
l769 when this subject first presented to ts consider
aon recorded ia Mr. Sparkss Liio and Writings Of
Washington" volume 10Th, page 50.
Washington concludes letter David Stuart who APP
pears have been Of his dentia pond
ens in the following words
"The memorial Of the Quakers (and very nsaLapropos
one !, ws has a. length been put to Sleep and win scaIce
This is explained by the following
"a the annual meeting OF the QuskeIs. held At Phia-
dspna ana New YORK n the year 7Ss they hsd son. mo
ed Tor the abolition OF the slave trade. These memorials
were referred to committee, who brought In report.
which was debated from Time me aud, xlor various
amendments was reported by committee OF the whole
house, as follows;
l. 'That the migration importation Of such persons
ssany OF the States existing shall think proper ad
NIT be prohibited by Congress prior tho year
"'rhat Congress have authority to interfere In the
Of slaves, or in The treatment OF them, within
OF The States remains with the States alone
TO provide any regulations therein which humanity and
true policy p.lTp may require
zens Of the United States from carrying the African
trade for The purpose o syHg foeigners and oil provid-
Ink, by regulations, Tor humane dur
ing their Of slaves imported by the said citzens
into The States admitting such i'm portati0n -
Here is brief recapulaon OF the powers OF Congress
in relation to the subject Of slavery.
The first resolution discaims all power excluding the
mpoaoa OF slaves previous the year l66 that being
the period prescribed by the constitution.
The second dsavows all right OF interference In the
emancipation or treatment Of slaves within any Of the
States, and recognises that OF the people Of the States
make their own regulations, in accordance with humanity
and true policy, OF which they be the sole Judges
The third resolution asserting the right OF Congress
provide proper regulations for the humane reatrnent
slaves imported fo the purpose of supplying gner
is based on the general power regulate
ierred by the constitution. rE15
It was thus that Congress disposed of the whole question
the first time 1t before them aware that prsce-
dents aw and that the decisions of one Congress
may be reversed by another At the time. cauuot
help thinking, Notwithstanding the stupendous strides of
The march OF mind by which this age il is said dis-
tancng all Others that do better than follow the
example OF men who had lived through the revolution and
were fully mbned with its principles. With all due respect
Tor the wisdom OF their OF opinion that the
rst Congress which convened after the adoption OF the
constitution was quite wise, and perhaps little moro
patriotic, than any Of It's There were MEM
bers In that body who had ia convention which
framed that Instrument and the most compctont of
all others 10 interpret its provisions
am, &c, nc,
| AN OLD CITIZEN.