Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1856-07-01
iddlepon,O.
" '',' s.. Fot the Telegraph. :
Jefferson, VS.: the PerpetuatiOn and
J, Extension of Slavery.

- OUubf Vcs SptV u Ca
Extension I,Of Slavery.
Mr.. EDroR:--Ip my last article gave
your readers a brief history of Washing
tons sentiments upon the all-absorbing
and agitatng subject of Slayery-its. alb,
clifton in the States and prohibition in the
Territories showing that lie would vote for
the former, and from his public acts that
he considered the latter within the coastitss-
tioncI powsr Of Congress. ,...,. -,
Next to the name of Washington, prob
ably that Of Jefferson is as greatly reyered
BY the American people-for his powerful
efforts in the great struggle for libertyr-in
laying broad and deep the foundation Of
our Independense--upon. the great and
eternal principle Of equal rights-as that of
any other statesman of the Revolution
We shah proceed, therefore, with this brief
introduction, to give. a statement Of his
views upon the different phases Of the slave
qneSuon.h
Ist. Jefferson on equal rights. !,
TUESDAY, June II, l776-The Congress
Of the United Colonies" Resolved; That
the committee for preparing the Declaration
consists of FIVE: The members chosen Mr..
Jefferson, Mr.. John Adams. Mr.. Franklin
Mr.. Sherman, and Mr.. r. r. Livingston"
THURSDAY, July 4, l776.-The Declara-
ton was read and agrsed to, it was. .diafted
by Jefferson and contained the following
declaration of rights, "We hold these
truths to be sersvidsnt that all men are
born equal; that they are endowed BY their
Creator with certain indIie8G5ie rights; that
among these are fife, liberty, and the pursa
of happiness. That to secure these rights
governments are instituted among men; de-
irving their jast powers from the consent of
the governed. d.%-- The Constitution by w,
Hickey, p. 194%6. *, /,
! This declaration of rights--containing
the concentrated wisdom Of Jefferson, Ad-
ANS, franklin Sherman and Livingston7n
was regaided at that date as the only true
| Foundation Of Republican form Of govern
ment. 1t denied the right Of any man to de-
prive his fellow-man Of life, liberty or the
pursuit Of happiness; and proclaimed slaEe-
| ry an outlaw--a violation Of every principle
| Of equity and Justice which it was the dstr
Il ty of government to suppress and destroy.
Hear him once more: The true foundation
of republican governmentisrthe equal rights
ofsvery citizen in his parsoa and property
and in their management, "-r( GoodelPs
Slavery ard Anti. Slavery. p, 87.) I'm an
other part of this article il will be seen that
slares were recognized BY Jefferson as ct'-
ssns.) But having givenhis views on equal,
rights, we must pass to another part Of our
subject. ,,s.a.,.a :.
| And9dly. Jefferson on the ABOLITION Of
slavery. n ,ss.,.-,. ~
Holding to,the views that he did upon
equal rights none will be surprised 70 hear
from bis able pen, that "the abolition Of
domestic slavery is the greatest object Of de-
4 sire in, these colonies where it was unhappi-
lIy. introduced in their infant state Am.
! Archives, 4th Series. Vol, lip. 696-A Good
ellis Slavery and Anti-Slavery, p. 7a. l7x
This was in l774; about eight years subse-
quently--in his "Notes on Virginia"-he
y writes: "The spirit Of the maser is o5cdnS;