The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-24
The Doctrines of Jefferson on Slavery,
anti.Slavery Principles Of the Ma.
finnnl Rannhlinan Dnrfu

sA~SA sSHeS@
From a letter Of R.omas Jearscn TO Col Ipm.
Duane, March 2s, 1911, rOi. Q, p. 577
" You know, my dsar Sir, that this union
Of REP UBLICANS has been the constant
iheme of my erhortations, that / hare eper re.
fused TO knoir any subdivisions among them,
10 takelpart IN personal differences"
That the Republicans Of the present day
hold opinions upon the question Of Slavery
identical with those OF tho great founder OF
the Republican party, is well known; but
many claim TO be lis followers, are labor
ing to extend over free territory so great an
evil rs Mr.. Jefferson regarded Slavery, tha,
a selection from his writings upon this sub.
ject would not be inopportune or unproii,a
BILE. Our extracts cover period com.
mencins with his early manhood aud clos.
ing with his latest years. We call the par
tIcular attention Of our Democratic readers
TO these extracts, and ask them whether we
could be true TO the sentiments, convictions
and teaching OF our great leader, did we mol
resis, with all the ability we possess, the
spread OF this giant wrong over our CONT.
nent. The Republicans OF 1865, impress
eel with deep sense OF duty and response
bility, believing tha, the welfare and dura.
bli,y OF the Republic, depend upon the
ascendeacy Of the principles which have
united them in this crisis, will do well 10
regard The exhorta'ions Of Mr.. Jefferson. in
respect 10 Subdivision and personal differ
ences, as no less necessary aud wise now
than they were In The days of The old Re-
publican Pariy.-Bdngor Jefersonian.
From Jtgsrson's Works (,iitei Ly H. A. JVa,l
ington,)rOl. |, p 3S
~ have found no mention Of negroes in
the colony until about 1850: the frs,
brought here as slaves were by Dutch
ship; after which The English commenced
the trade, and continued in !, until the rev.
olulionary war-tha, suspended, ipso Jaeto,
their further importation for the present aud
The business Of the war pressing constantly
on the legislature, this subjec, was nol-acl.
ed on finally until the year '7S. when 1
brought in a bill 10 prereni their further i'm.
poridtion. THIS passed wilhou, opposition,
and stopped the increase Of the evil by i'm
porlaiion, leaving to future efforts Its final
eradication"
The preceding extract, and that which
follows, are copied from Mr.. JeiTerson's au-
lobiosraphy, written in 1921, when he was
II years old.
In 1869 became a member of the leg.
islalure by the choice Of The county In
which lived. and so continued until it
was closed BY the Revolution. made one
eiior, in tina, body for the permission Of the
emancipation Of slaves. which was reject
ed aud indecd, during the regal govern
meni nothing liberal could expect success.
Our minds were circumscribed within mar
row limits, by an habilual belief that IL was
our duty 10 be subordinate 10 the mother
country on all matters OF government, 10
direct all our labors in subscrvience to her
Interests, and even TO observe bigo,cd in
tolerance for all religions but hers.
In the instructions given 10 the frs. dele
CATION OF Virginia to Congress in august,
l774, he wrote:
The abolition Of domestic Sidrery is the
great Object Of desire in these Colonies, where
/, was unhappily introduced in their infan,
state. But previous to the eniranchisemen:
Of The Slaves we have, IL is necessary 10 eX-
clude all further importa,ions from Africa,
yet our repeated efforts 10 effect this, by
prohibitions, and by imposing duties which
might amount 10 prohibition, have been de-
iea'ed by his Maiesiy's negative; thus pre-
ltrring The Immediate ndrantag,s Of fr
British torsairs 10 The lasting interests Of
the Amerioan States, and 10 the rights OF hu.
man nature, deeply rounded by this Infamous
pratiiee." Ibid p. 1876.
Foa hhs original dSafi ofths Declarations of Is-
dpsndanoe.
"He has waged cruel war against human
nature itself, violating its mos, sacred rights