The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-07-09

States where II exists. The property ofthe
master in his slave existed in full force be.
fore the Federal Constitution was adopted.
IL was II subject which then belonged, as it
still belongs, to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the several States. These States, by the
adoption OF the Constitution, never yielded
10 The General Government any right to in
terferc with the question. Ii remains where
1t was previous 10 the establishment of our
Confederaey.
The Constitution has, in the clcarcst
terms, recognised the right of property in
slaves. 1t prohibits any State into which Il
slave may have fled, from passing any law
! 10 discharge him froT, slavery, ana declares
that he shall be delivered up by the author
| tiles of such State to his master. Nav,
moro; it makes the existence of slavery the
foundation of political power, by giving to
those States within which it exists, Repre
sentatIves IN Congress, not only in propor-
tion to the whole number of free persons,
but also in proportion to three. fifths of the
number Of slaves.
An occasion very fortunately arose in the
hrst Congress TO settle this question forev.
cr The so"iety for the abolition of slavery
in Pennsylvania, brought it before that Con.
gress by a memorial, which was presented
on the lltl day of February, 1890. After
the subject had been discussed for several
days, and after solemn delibcratiop, the
House of Representatives, in Committee of
the Whole, on the 23d day Of March, 1880,
resolved THAT Congress have no authority
TO Interfere in the emancipation Of slaves, or
IN the treatment of them, within any of the
States: it remaining with the several States
alone to provide any regulations therein
which humanity and true policy may re.
qmire.'
| have thought it would be proper to pre-
sent this decision, which was made almost
half century ago, distinctly TO the view of
the American people. The language of the
resolution is clear, precise and definite. Ii
leaves the question where the Constitution
left II, and where, SO far as ! am concerned,
1t ever shall remain. The Constitution of
the United States never would have been
called into existence; instead of the innu.
mcrab!c blessings which have flowed from
our happy union, We should have had anar.
chy, jealousy and civil war, among the sister
republics OF which our Confcd"racy is CON-
posed, had not the free States abansisncd al,
control over this question. For one, what
ever may be my opinions upon the abstract
question uf slavery, (and ! am free to con-
fcss they are those uf the people of Penn.
sylvaEia) shall never attempt TO violate
lhis fundamental compact The Union will
be dissolved and incalculablc evils will rise
from It's ashes, the moment any such at.
tempt Is seriously made by the free States in
Congress.
What, then, arc the circumstances under
which these memorials are now presented
a number of fanatics, led on by foreign in.
ccndiarics, have been 5. altering arrows.
hrebrands, and DEATH throughout the
Southern States"
4" ! believe, most conscientious'y in wbat.
ever light this subject can be viewed, that
the best interests of the slave require that
the question should be left where the Con.
stiIu,ion has left it, 10 the slavcholdiny
States themselves, without foreign intcrfer-
cnce.
This being true statement of the case,
rs applied 10 the States where slavery en-
lists, what Is now asked by these memorials
lists! That in this District of ten miles
sqnarc-a District carved out OF two slave
holding States, and surrounded by them on
all sides slavery shall be abolished. What
would be the effects of granting their re-
quest! You would thus erect a citadel in
thc very neart Oi these Statct, upon terri
tory which they have ccded to you for n Ear
different purpose, from which AboliIioui>ts
and inccndarics could securely attack the
peace and safety Of their citizens. You e.-
tablsh spot wiIhin the slaveholding States
which would he u city cf refuge for runa-
way slaves. You create by law n central
point from which trains of guupow,or may
be securely laid, extending into the surround
Ing States, which may at any moment pro.
ducs fearful and destructive cxpiosiun.-
BY passing such a law, YOU introduce the
enemy into the very bosom of thcs. two
States, and afford him every opportunity t.
produce scr,ile insurrection Is there any
reasonable man who can for one moment
suppose that Virginia and Mary land would
have ceded the District of Columbia 10 the
United States, if they entertained the slight.
est idea that Congress would ever use il for
any such purpose! They ccded il for your
use, for your convenience, and not for their
own destruction. When slavery eeascs to
exist under the laws Of Virginia and Mary
land, then, and not till then, ought it to be
abolished in the District of Columbia"