Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-28

erica, that " the abolition of domestic slavery
is the greatest object of desire in tAese Colon
les, 'chere it 'cas scahappily introduced IN their
infant STATE" And then again, in the De-
claration OF Independence, he embodied senti-
ments, which, when practically applied, will
give Freedom to every Slave throughout the
land. " We hold these truths to be self-evi-
dent says our country, speaking by the
voice OF Jefferson, " that all men are created
equal-that they are endowed with certain
lnaAenable rights; that among these are life
liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness" And
again, i'll the Congress of the Confederation,
he brought forward, as early as 1884, resol-
ution to exclude slavery from all the territory
" coded or to be ceded by the States of the
Federal Government including the whole
territory now covered by Tennessee, Mississip-
pi, and Alabama. Lost at first by q single
vote only, this measure in more restricted
form was renewed at a Subsequent day, by an
honored son Of Massachusetts,, and, in 1887,
was finally confirmed in the Ordinance of the
Northwestern Territory, by a unanimous vote
Of the States.
Thus early and distinctly do we discern the
Anti-Slayery character Of the founders of our
Republic, and their determination to place the
National Government, within tie sphere Of
its Jurisdiction, openly, actively, and perpet-
The national Constitution was adopted in
1888 And here we discern the same spirit.
The emphatic words of the declaration Of In
dependence, which our country took upon its
Lips as baptismal vows, when it claimed its
place among the nations of tie earth, were
not forgotten The preamble to the Constit,I-
ton renews them, when it declares its object
to be, among other things "to establish Justice,
to promote the general welfare, and to secure
the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and pos
terity." Thus, according to undenable words.
the Constitution was orduined not to establish,
secure, or sanction slaveIy-not to promote
the special interests of acknowledgements to
make slavery national in any way, form or
manner-not to foster this great wrong. but
to establish Justice" promote the general
welfare, and "secure the blessings of Iiber-
ty." The discreditable words STARE and slaceyv
were not allowed to find place in this instru-
ment, while clause was subsequently added
by way Of amendment. and, therefore. accor
ding to the rules of Interpretation. particular
ly revealing the sentiments of the founders.
which is calculated, like the Declaration Of
Independence, If practically applied, to carry
freedom to all within the sphere Of its iuAu-
ence. 1t was specifically declared, that ono
person shall be deprived Of life, H5eyty, or pro-
perty without due process of law that ia.
without due presentment, indictment, or other
Judicial proceeding. Here is an express guard
OF personal Liberty, aud an express interdict
upon Its invasion anywhere within the nation
jurisdiction.
1t IS evident, from the debates on the Ma
tonal Constitution, that slavery, like the slave
trade, was regarded as temporary; and 1t seems
to nave been supposed by many that they
would both disappear together. Nor do any
,lovn IN, 4 Jo-,. Al
an indignation more burning than those which
glowed on the lips of the Fathers. Early in
the Conyerneur Morris, of Pennsylvania, broke
forth IN the language of an Abolitionist; "He
never would concur in upholding domestic
slavery. 1t was a nefarious institution, It
was the curse of Heaven" In another mood,
and with mild, juridical phrase, Mr.. Madison
Thought it wrong to admit in the Constitu-
ton the idea Of property in man." And
Washington, in letters written near this
period-which completely describe the aims
of an Abolitionist-avowed " that it was
among his first wishes to see some plan adopted
by which slavery may be abolished by law"
and that to this end ''his suffrage should not
be wanted
In this spirit was the National Constitution
adopted. In this spirit the national govern
ment was first organized under Washington.
And here there is a fact Of peculiar signif-
canoe, to which have already. on former
occasion, called attention, but which is well
worthy of perpetual memory. At the time
that this great chief took his first oath to sup
port the Constitution of the United States,
the national ensign @o'obeye lcithia the national
Territory cocered single Stare. On the sea
an execrable piracy, the trade in slaves was
still, to the national scandal, tolerated under
the national flag. In the States, as a section
al institution, beneath the shelter Of local
laws, slavery unhappily found home. But
IN the only teri tor. es, at this time belonging
to the nation, the broad region of the North
west, it had already, by the ordinance of Free
I dom, been made impossible, even before the
adoption of the Constitution. The District Of
Columbia, with the fatal dowry, had not vet
been acquired.
To be Continued.