Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-31
Senator Toomhs in Boston.

The aboiiionisis of Boston, having invited
Hon. ROBERT TooMBs, U. 5. Senator from
Georgia, TO deliver lecture on slavery in that
city, an immense audience assembled in Ire
mont Temple, Friday evening last, TO listen TO
the southern statesman. Some strong facts,
which we at the north cannot deny, were stated
in his speech. We copy the following abstract
from the Boston Herald. The facts adduced
are worthy of the serious consideration Of ev-
cry candid man =
Mr.. Toombs was heartily greeted when he
appeared upon the platform. As he took the
desk to commence his lecture, he was again
applauded, but sulne boorish fellows Kissed,
when Mr. Tuombs remarked AS 10 express
sions of Misrepresentation, gentlemen must, Of
course, indulge themselves according 10 their
wishes. Perhaps, however, II would be well
10 hear somewhat before they strike" ST.
lence was restored and the lecture commenced.
MIR. Toombs proposed to consider the sub
ject of slavery in two points-hrst, what Is the
constitutional status Of slavery in the United
States and, secondly, what is the effect upon
the slave himself, and on society where he
exists. lie took the ground that the Constltu-
ton contained NO provision 10 limit, restrain,
or in any way TO impair domestic slavery
The Declaration of Independence was made by
thirteen slaveholding states, was drawn by
stakeholder, and, SO far from emancpating
slave, it went TO the extent Of charging George
the Third with attempting TO excite domes-
tic instruction, as one reason Tor Withdrawing
from the mother country.
What he asked, was the collected Will OF
the people, as embodied in the Constitution
The question of slavery was not forgotten IN
the Convention it did not escape the notice
of the Convention it did not escape the no.
tice of the delegates; ii was consdered.and 1t
gave rise to angiy debates. Nevertheless the
Constitution increased slavery IN the States by
declaring that the slave trade should exist for
twenty years. This provision was opposed by
two Of the largest slavehodIng States, while
it received the votes OF every delegate from
New England.
The African slave trade was lawful COM
MERGE throughout the christion, as well as the
unchris,ian world. This trade was sanctioned
by the Constitution for twenty years, and hun
dreds of thousands of the African race had
been torn from their homes under its sanction.
Hence. he said, the Constitution had increased
American slavery. Nay, more, it strength
ened the institution by that clause which gives
slave representation; and this very day,
twenty members hold their seats upon the floor
Of Congress in disorganlzed House, by vlr-
tue of This very clause in the Constitution.
Some kissing was heard at these remarks
to which the speaker simply replied, 'Genile-
men, am reciting the facts of history when
you hiss, you hiss the Constitution and the de-
hberately recorded acts of your fathers
Mr.. Toombs passed from this part Of his
subject to consideration of the powers Of
government to prohibit slavery in the terrific
res, the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas
Nebraska bill, the effect of the institution upon
the slaves themselves and upon the people o.
the South and the subordinaton Of the Afri
can race 10 every other nation, in every age
and under all conditions OF society.
There were other topics Introduced, but we
have not even room to mention them. The
lecture occupied an hour and half and wa
listened to with profound attention. 1t wa
an able effort by an able man. and was can
MD statement of the Southern Constitutions
view of slavery which commanded the respec
of his auditors if il did not accord with thei
judgment.