Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-06
SLAVERY.

George Washington the father of his coun-
| try, in letter to La Fayette, written in l19S
the year before his death, spoke of the insti
tuition of Slavery as follows a- f..
agree with you cordially in your views
in regard 10 Negro Slavery l have long con
sdered it a most serious evil, both socially and
politically, and should rejoice in any feasible
scheme to rid our States of such burden
The Congress of 1857 adopted an ordinance
which forever prohibits the existence of invol-
untary seryitude in our north western territory.
l consider it wise measure and though it
was introduced by gentleman from New
England, it met with the approval and assent
OF nearly all the members from the States
more Immediately interested in slave labor
The prevailing opinion in Virginia is against
the spread of slavery into our new country,
and | trust that We shall ultimately have q
confederacy Of Free States, | would, at any
time, gladly relinquish the right of property
in my own slaves, ifa judicous system Of cman-
cipation could be devised"
James Madison, in the Convention. which
framed the Constitution of the United States
objected to the word slave" being used in the
clause which was inserted for the rendition of
fugitiycs His objections were agreed to by
the Convention and the mildCr term of per
sons owing service of labor applicable alike
to white apprentices and black slaves, was then
put in our Constitution Mr.. Madison said on
that occasion
g object to the word slave appearing
in Constitution which, | trust is to be the
charter of freedom to unborn millions nor
would | willingly perpetuate the memory of
the fact that slavery ever existed in our conn
try. 1t is great evil and under the Provi-
dence of God | look forward to some scheme
of emancipation which shall free us from it
Do not, therefore, let us appear as if We re-
garded it as perpetual by using in our Consti-
tuition an odious word opposed to every senti-
ment of liberty"
Daniel Webster in his Marshfeld speech
Sept Is, lS4S, when abiding to the men who
then held the same position on the question of
slavry extension which is now held by Nebraska
Democrats said
50 | am afraid, fellow-citizens, that the gen
Grafton Of " doughfaces will be as perpetual
as the generation of men. For my part |
think that "doughface" is an epithet not sufli-
ciently reproachful !; think such persons are
doughfaccs, and dough heads and dough-souls
and that they are al dough that the coarSest
potter may mould them at pleasure to vessels
Of honor or dishonor, but most readily to yes
sells of Gishonor"
Henry Clay, in his last great speech in the
United States Senate said
" | repeat it sir, never can, and never will
and no earthly power can make me- vote di-
rectly or indirectly, to spread slavery over ter
rtory where it does not exist. Never while
reason holds her seat in my brain-neyer while
my heart sends the vital fluid through my
veinS-Rcrcr ~
Thomas II Benton said, in the United States
Senate, that the enactment Of the Missouri
Compromise" was
=" The highest, the most solemn, the most
momentous, the most emphatic assertion of
Congressional power over slavery in terrific
ry which has ever been made or could be con
cieved. 1t not only prohibited it where it
could legally be carried, but forever prohibit
ing it where it had long existed"