The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-03-29


barked in this nefarious traffic"
Mr.. Ellsworth, Of Connecticut, said:
"Lct us not intermeddle. As popula-
tion increases, poor labor will be so plenty
as to render slaves useless. Slavery in
time. will not be a spcck in the country"
Authority may he adduced in support
of u thousand exploded theories. Author
ity, and high authority, may be brought
! fur converting this government into n con-
solidated despotism; authority for giving
the President life tenure OF cffice; and
authority for comforting upon him the APP
pointmcnt Ofmembcrs of the other branch
of this CVngrss. And to what does this
authority amountl You may as we'll
give the authority Of Qusk,rs against war,
and the authority of Shays' rebellion a-
gainst the blessings of the very liberty VIC
had achieved in the Revolution.
Ofwhat weight is the authority of Mr..
Mason, of Virginia, now, that the judg-
ment Of Heaven is visited upon the own
ers Of slaves? And of what weight in
Connecticut is the wholesome remon-
STRANGE Of Mr.. Ellsworth, let us not inter-
tnrudi"?
Sir, the judgment Of Heaven has fallen
upon our land, and in such penteous
showers of prosperity and of greatness,
that the nations of the Old World turn
their eyes upon us in admiration and n.
mazrment. Our staple productions-the
product, MS Of our slaves-fill every mar
ket in both hemispheres. They have so
interviewer themselves with the occupa-
tionS, the habits and the necessaries Of
man, that n failure of the slave crops Of
America would threaten revolution in Eu-
rope, and bring ruin to thousands Of our
own countrymen, who, in their blind fan
atheism, would now spoil the udder which
has fed and fattened them.
The policy of a government is not to be
learned from isolated opinions. irrespons-
bIy given in loose debate, but by its SOL
emn enactments, executed proper form,
and 10y competent authority.
But, sir, since this point has been made,
we learn more of the policy Of this coun-
try, 10y examining the opinions Of other
gentlemen OF the Federal Convention.
Mr.. Sherman, OF Connecticut, observed
that, the abolition of slavery seemed to
be going on in the United States, and that
viz SSOi oSboC VI luS SCNGTdl SldLSS NO
probably, by degrees, complete it."
Mr.. Dickinson, Of Delaware, "consid-
cred it inadmissible, on every principle Of
honor and safety, that the importation Of
slaves should be authorized to the States
by the Constitution"
Mr.. Luther Martin, Of Maryland, was
for prohibiting the importation of slaves.
at WAS inconsistent with the principles
of the Revolution, and dishonorable to
the American character, to have such y
feature in the Constitution"
Mr.. Gerry, of Massachusetts,, thought
we had nothing to do with the conduct
OF the States rs to slaves, but ought to
be careful not to give any sanction to it.
Mr.. LaRgdon Of New Hampshire, was
strenuous for giving this power, prohibit.
General Government. He could not with
a good conscience leave it with the States
who would then go on with the traffic
without being restrained by the opinions
here given,-that they will themselve,
cease to import slaves
The opinion of Mr.. Mason has already
been given.
All This is plain enough, and puts tn,
, general disposition of the Convention, t
prevent tho importation of slaves beyonl
question.
But where were the Carolinas ant
Gorgia
Mr.. Rutlcdge said
The question at presenl, is, whether the
Southern States shall or shall not be par
ties to the Unionl If the Northern
States consult their interests they will no,
oppose the increase Of slaves, which will
increase the commodities Of which they
will become the carriers.
; Mr.. Iinckney said
, South Carolina never can receive tn,
plan, (the Constitution,) if it prohibits the
slave trade. In every proposed exten
sion Of the powers Of Congress, that State
had expressed, and watchfulIy excepted
that Of medding with the importation o
negroes.
General Pinckney "declared it to bt
his firm opinion that, if himself and al
his colleagues were to sign the Constitu
ton, and use their personal influence, j
would be Of no avail towards obtaining
the assent Of their constituents. South
; Carolina and Georgia could not do with
out slaves"
Mr.. Williamson, of North Carolina
"thought that the Southern States could
not be members Of the Union, if the
cause ION restricting importations) should
be rejected
Mr.. Baldwin, Of Georgia, chad con,
ceived national objections alone to be be-
fore the convention; not such as like the
present, which were OF = local nature.-
Georgia was decided on this point"
Well, sir, with these points Of differ
ence so fully expressed, so strongly urged
on the one side, and sternIy resisted or
the other, what was the result'
A few other extracts, expressive of the
policy of the country, viii explain:
Mr.. Sherman said, "it is better to 10,
the Southern States import slaves than tc
part with them, il they made that sim
qua non."
Mr.. Gouverneur Morris said, "these
thinOs form \ bargain amono tho Nor.h