The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-16

they claimed for themselves. They never dreamed
that Slavery would be extended, but firmly be-
lieved it would be wholly blotted out. ! chal-
lenge any man to show me a single patriot of
the Revolution who was in favor of Slavery, or
who advocated its extension. So universal was
the sentiment of Liberty then, that no man,
North or South, could be found to justify it.
Some palliated the evil and desired that il might
be gradually extinguished; but none contempls-
ted it as permanent institution.
Liberty was then the national goddess, wor-
shipped by all the people. They sang of Liberty,
they harangued for Liberty, they prayed for
Liberty, and they sacrificed for Liberty. Slavery
was then hateful. 1t was denounced by all. The
British King condemned for foisting il upon
the Colonies. Southern men were foremost in
entering their protest against it. II was then
everywhere regarded as an evil, and crime
against humanity. To prove this, let appeal
TO history.
The following extracts from the proceedings of
the Continental Congress, and of meetings in
Southern States prior to the Declaration of In
dependence, show the feeling of the people in
the early days of the Republic. | quote from
the American Archives, fourth series, vol. l
CONTINENTAL CoNsHEss,
Philadelphia, October %, 1774
'We do for ourselves, and the inhabitants Of the sew
eral Colonies whom represent firmly agree and
soclae under the sacred ties Of virtue, honor and love
of our country, as follows:
40. That will neither import purchase
slaves imported after the first day of December next;
after which time, will wholly discontinue the slave
trade and will neither be concerned in ourselves
will hire vessels, sell our commodities OF
manufactures 10 those who concerned ni-Page GA
IL That committee be chosen in every county. city
and town, by those who qualified 10 Represent
aiives IN the Legislature whose business shall be
envey to observe the conduct OF all persons touching
this association and when IL shall be made appear
the Satisfaction of majority OF any such committee, that
any person within the limits OF their appointment has
violated inns association, that such majority do forthwith
cause the truth of the to BE- published in the GGzers
10 the end that all such foes rights Az1eriea
may De pubhcly known and universally condemned
the enemies OF Amercan Liberty, and henceorth
sPecuvey will break of all dealings with hun her
H. And we do further agree and resolve that will
have trade, commerce, dealings what
soever win any Colony or Province IN North A1Scd
which shall not accede which shall hereafter
late this association. but will hold them unworthy OF
the nights OF freemen and AS nlmca to the liberties OF
The foregoing association being determined upon by
the Congress- ordered be subscribed the
members thereof; and thereupon have hereuno set
Our respective names accordingly
in Congress Philadelphia October 20 1774
"PEYToN RANDOLPH, President
Neis HampShirs-John sullivan, Nathaniel Folsom
'md'SaohtsetS Boy Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams,
John Adams Robert Treat Payne
e Rhode BLaHd-Srephen Hopkins, Samuel Ward
- Coaneo'c"f-Elphalet Dyer Roger Sherman. SIlss
"Nv York-Isaac Low John Asop. John Jaw James
Duane Philip Livingston, William Floyd, Henry Wisner
"NsIc Jsrssy-James Kinev William LIVINGSTON Sic
phen Crane. Richard Smith, John De Hart.
BF1NNUitdHid-lOseph GALLOWAY. Dck
Charles Humphreys Thomas Mitn, Edward BIddle John
Morton, George Ross
. The Lo'ceT Counties, N.'ceasas, se-Crsar Rodney,
Thomas Mexican, George Read.
/" Observation-Disclosures Tilshman, Thomas Johnson Jr
William Paea, Samuel Chase.
IHginid-HlchaId Henry Lee, George Washington,
Patrick Henry r, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison,
Edmund Pendeton.
North CdTolina-Wilham Hooper Joseph Heues
Richard Casweu.
/" South CarOlina.-Henry Middleton, Thomas Lynch
Christopher Gadsden, john RuIledge Edward Ruedge
Is Ordered, That this association he committed TO the
press and that one hundred and twenty copies be struck
Continental Congress, Friday, Ostobsr 81, 1774
The address the people being brought
in and the amendments directed being made the
was approved, and lie as follows:
TO the people OF Great Britain from the delegates ap-
pointed by the several English Colonies OF New Hamp
shire Masss chusets Bay, Rhode Island Providence
Ilah'aiohs, Cohnechcui. New YORK, New Jersey,
Penn.ylvania the Lower Counties ON Delaware Mary
s Of 6e Norm aHe s1h
Philac elpha, September 9Th, I77I.
Friends aud FsLOIr- eihze,ls: When a nation, led TO
greatness by the hand Of Liberty and Of all the
glory that herosm, munifcence and humanity can be
stow descends to the ungrateu task forging chains for
her friends and children and ns ad OF giving support
10 Freedom, GdrOcdt for S0r6rB Oppressio,
there reason to suspect she has either ceased 10 be
been erfevey negligent ia me appointment Of
rnIers.'-Pages yli 10 9l7
This is the language of our forefathers, strug-
Cling for Liberty. Suppose the people of Kan
sas should address this same language to the
people of the United States to-day with what
force and truth would it come Who will say il
is not applicable-every word of it?
DARIEN GEORGIA, RESOLUTIONS
" Ia The DdrisH COMMITTEE Thursday January - us
s. To show the world that We are not influenced
by any contracted or interested motives, but general
phil anthropy for all mankind OF Whatever climate Ian
guage, complexion, hereby declare dIsappro-
bahon ano abhorencs OF The unnatural pTacuce OF Ss
very America however the uncuvaIed state OF cur
country OF oueT speeous arguments may Plsao for I)
practice founded "a injustice and cruelty, and highly dan
gerouS 10 liberties tss well vesl dsbGSg part Of
our sAorr er,atres beioro D and rorrppnng he rirfs
aud HoTd o. ne rest ana H laying the basis OF that Liberty
contend for, land which pray the Almighty 10 con
unue to the latest Posiertyl upon very wrong OundS
uon We therefore resolve, al all umes, 10 use our W
most beavers for the manumsson of slaves this
Colony, upon the safe and equitable footing for the
masters and themselves Page llb.
| could fill pages with similar extracts, but the
above are all that my limits will allow
| turn to the sayings of the immortal
Washington and his co-laborers in the cause of
human rights.
To The Mayqri, Dc Lafayen,-April 5h, 17s9
lExtractl
The scheme, my dear Marquis which you propose as
precedent, TO encourage the emancipation the black
people IN this country from the bondage in which
they held striking srdeHee 0fths bsroun of Ior
will defer going into detail of the business MI TbsS
the peasuEe of seeing you"
Here a scheme to emancpate the blacks in
this country from a state of bondage is charsc-
terized by the Father of his Country as striking
evidence OF the benevolence Of the heart. And
Washington declares that he should be happy 10
Join in so " laUdd5ls' work. If it be Iaudable
to abolish Slavery where it exists, what shall we
say of the work which shall prevent its existence
on the virgin soil of the free Territories?
In a letter to Robert Morris, dated Mount Yer
non, April II, 1886, he says:
:" only say that there il not a man living who
wishes more sincerely than do plan adopted for
The aboInor of H. But there IL only one proper and
ectua mode by which At can be accomplished and that
Is by legislative authority and this as nav suffrage
viii go shall never be wanting
In another letter to Lafayette, he says:
"The benevoence OF your heart my dear NIsropi. -
10 conspicuous on all occasions, that never wonder at
my fresh proofs of but la purchase of an estate
m the Colony OF Cayenne, with the view of emancipang
he slaves H. Is generous and noble proof OF your
humanity. Would 10 God a hks SPIRIT nghf di1us, t,lr
centrally into the mind, Of As PsOP Of his oOunyn
In a letter to John F. Mercer, on this subject
lated September 8, 1876, General Washington
said
81 never mean, unless particular circumstances
should compel me to H. TO possess another slave by pur
;hase, It being among nyfrSf ,ciNkSs some plan
adopted by which Slavery IN hIs country may be
shed by law"
Noble patriotl lie had seen his country vic
lorious over British tyranny, and her independ
ence established and now his great heart, swell
ing with humanity, proclaims it to be among his
. first icishes" to see Slavery abolished in this
country.
For entertaining the same wishes-nay less, sir.
Tor seeking to prevent the spread Of this evil and
wrong-we are denounced as TRAITORS and
. Black Republicans" Whilst follow the teach
ugs OF Washington, no threats or opprobrious
epithets shall deter me from the conscientious
discharge of my duty.