The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-09-12

were on our soil, and vet not part of the peo-
pie, nor qualified in any way to be- our equals.
This race V as then held in slavery, or invoun-
tary servltude, by the laws of all the States ex-
cept one. But in the North their numbers were
few, and the climate unsuited to them, while
IN the South Il was uSt the reverse 1t was
utterly out OF The question TO expect Hnaumdy
on subject like this. 1t could be managed in
one way only; and that was by agreeing that
each State should determine The whole matter
Tor itself, and on its own responsibility. Ii
was then soemnly agreed that tht Federal
Government should not interfere with Slavery !;
and that no State should interfere with il in any
other State. either directly or Indirectly And
all the people said amen If the solemn assu-
RANGES Of mutual forbearance then given and
sworn to SO often since, have been belird and
violated, it has not been done with the consent
OF the Democracy.
The question OF involuntary sprvitude had en-
gagged the earnest attention Of the sagts ofthp
revolution There can be no doubt that if they
could have provided for its ameioration and
gradual emancipation, they would have done So
They found ii, however. incorporated in the
social system of all the States bot one, and they
dealt with it according to the exigencics of the
times in which they lived. We all know that
even at that early day it was subject of mntu-
al irritation and excitement: and although the
wonderful uses TO which the cotton plant has
been applied, on account Of the subsequent dis
coveries in the manufacture Of machinery, were
then scarcely anticipated, it is enough to say
that the republican fathers could not dispose Of
this slavery question until they agreed npon
the basis which led to the formation Of the Con-
stliution; the recognition of the domestic inst-
tuions OF the South, in the ratio Of representa-
ilon and in the provision for the restitution Of
fugitives from labor. Twelve of the thirteen
States that formed the Constitution, held slaves
at the time that instrument WAS adopted, and bv
The qnet operation Of their popular exclusive
sovereignty 8 of these States have since become
free. Throughout all the action Of the trainers
Of the federal Constitution, the idra which pre-
vailed was that which regarded the negro as IN
irrlor 70 the white, and until AboIitioniSn is a.
bic to convince the present generation that this
idea is illogical and untrue, lJnd to do thls they
must agree to the doctrine Of perfect equality
between the racpS,) all permanent legislation on
the subject Of the negro race must and will be
controlled by the same sentiment. In the free
States, at the present day, the negro is subject
10 moral, ard in many respects 10 physical
ServItnde, quite as injurious to his condition as
the most fabulous pictures OF Southern slavery
represent his brothers condition in the South 10
be. We do not call the Northern negro slave,
but in what free State is hr the equal OF the
white In some States he is prevented from
voting, IN others he votes upon property quail
ifcaiion even in Massachusetts, certain dis
Qualifications are thrown IN his wav by those
LioPtan philosophers, who constantly pra:e Of
the equality of the races: in others still hr is
met hy statute that excludes him altogether
from entrance upon their soil, and nowhere is
he recognized on the same level Wlth the white.
The white who ntrrmarrirS with the black is
everywhere regarded as a degraded being and
IN schools and churches ther- is almost a uni-
vrrsal bar between the two races. 50 that the
rules OF society and the laws ofIhe States, even
in The communities Of the non-Savehoiding re-
gion, are lneXorahIy opposed 10 the ntgro.-
Why is il that A5oiiioniSm does rot begin at
hone and reform these things
Bu, again. there is no power which can pre-
vent any State from passing whatever laws it
may please under the Federal Constitution, for
It's own comfort and protection, and the very
same theory which induces US to respect and 10
recognize the great doctrine of State rights in
compes Us to recognize those laws TO which
We have referred in the North, in regard TO the
free blacks. The North regulates IFS colorcd
population as il pleases, and IS protected in do
ing So ty the Constitution OF the United States
All the negroes Of The North are represented in
the ratio Of federal representation, and vet
nearly all are DISTINGUISHED and airnated b9 The
laws Of the North. TIE South does as il plra>,s
with lis colorrd population, slave and free, and
is protected under the Federal Constitution, but
lis slaves are only represented in The ratio OF
thrpr-fitlhs in the Federal representation.
In moral point Of view, il seems al least in-
consistent that these AboItionistS, who are en-
tIrrly silent in reference to the condition OF the
negroes 10 the fire. States, should be so extreme
ly Vituperaiivr when they come to treat of the /
condition OF the ntgForS OF the slave States.-
Both 5elong to the same inferior class both are
so regarded in all the States. The South found !
a legacy in slavery, transmitted to il by its En-
glish ancestors, and the Constitution respected
the institution as il existed when that inStru- /
ment was framed. The North, while it has rid .
ltsellof slavery $50 far as the name is concern
ed still retains th- right TO protect iisefagains
witha race which is stamped inferior |
by all classes of whites, wherever they are
found.
The Northern States IN the exercise of their |
constitutional right, consulted what I
hey deemed their owntrue interest. and one at-
Ter the other, in their own time and their own /
way abolished slavery Against these proceed
ngS in the North the South uttered not a word
Of complaint. But the views and opinions Of
the Southern States were wholly averse to abo-
lition. They believed il 10 be utterly mPossl-
bic, without The greatest danger, not TO their
property only but 10 their very existence. This
L IL !. L nri.,l