The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-07-01


States, was made aud signed on behalf Of
Great Britain on the one part, and Of the
thirteen slaveholding States on the other.
The Constitution Of the United States under
which we now live so happily and have
grown so great and powerful and which we
all profess TO cherish and venerate, was
formed, adopted, aud pu, in operation by the
people Of the twelve slaveholding States and
one free State, slavery having disappeared
from Massachusetts about tina. time, under
the operation of the gres. fundamental prin.
cipls OF self'governmeu,,. which recognizes
the right OF each State and colony to regulate
its own domestic and local affairs.
In view OF the incontroveHible facts, can
any sane man believe that tho signers of tho
Declaration OF independence, and the
heroes who fought the battles of the revolu-
luton, and the sages who laid the foundation
OF our complex system Of Federal and State
Governments, intended TO place the negro
race on all equal footing with the white race
II such had been their purpose, would they
not have abolished slavery, and converted
every negro into citizen on the day on
which they put forth the Declaration Of In
dependence Did they do il Did any of
the thirteen States abolish sIavsry-much less
place the negro on an equality with the white
man during The whole revolutionary struggle !!
History records the emphatic answer. No.
Not one off The original Safes abolished slave
ry during the revolution NOR has any OF them,
at any time since, extended 10 tho African
race all The rights and privileges Of citizen
ship on terms of eu,re equality with the
white man.
MOI one can vindicate the character, mo-
tives and conduct Of the signers Of the De-
clsralion OF Independence, except upon The
hypothesis lha, they referred 10 the white
race alone, and not TO the African, when they
declared all men 10 have been created equa |
that they were speaking Of British subjects
on this continent being equal 10 British sub.
! jecls born and residing in Great Brltain-that
they were entitled TO the same lnaen.
able rights, and among them were enunieral.
ed iife, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The declaration was adopted for the purpose
, OF jusliiying The colonisis in the eyes of the
civilized world in Withdrawing their alles :
ance from the British crowh, and dissoving
| their Connection with their mother country.
In this poin, of view The Declaration Of lnde-
pendence is in perfect harmony with oil The
events oil the revolution, and the line of poll
cy pursued under The articles of confedera-
tion, and the principles embodied and eslab-
llshed in the federal constitution. The hislo-
ry OF The times clearly shows that the negroes
were regarded as an inferior race, who, in
all ages, and in every part Of tie globe, and
| under The most favorable circu umslancss, bad
| shown themselves incapable Of sell govern
ment, and consequently under the pro =
lection OF those who were capable OF
providing for and protecting them in tho
/ exercise Of oil the rights they were cap
atIe Of enjoying consistent with The good
and safety OF society. 1t is on this principle
that in all civilized and Christian countries
the government provides for the protection of
The insane, the lunalic, the idio,ic, and all
other unfor,unates who are incompetent 10
take care of themselves. Ii does not follow
by any means that because the negro race
are incapable OF governing themselves, that
therefore they should become slaves and be
treated as such. The safe rule upon lha,
subject, apprehend lc be this, that the Aft.
| can race should bs allowed TO exercise all
The rights aud privileges which they are cap.
able enjoying consistent with he welfare of
the community in which they reside ard tha,
under the form of government the people Of
each State and Territory must be allowed 10
determine for themselves the nature aud ex-
tent of those privileges. [Applause.1
THE whole history of our country clearly
shows thai our iataars acted on this principle;
not only in p.omulsalion Of The Declaration
Of independence, but in laying the iounda-
lions and erecting the supersructure Q: our
complex system OF Fe Ieral and Sale govern.
! ments. Whoever will take the pains 10 sx.
anime the journals OF the Continental Con.
gress, will fiud that nearly every colony, be-
fore it would authorize lis delegates 10 assent
to a Declaration of Independence, placed on
record an express condition, reserving 10 il
self lhe sole aud exclusive right OF regulat.
ing its own internal affairs and domestic
concerns, and local politics, without The
Interference OF the general congress, OF
of any Other Stale or colony. TIE battles oi
the revolution were all fought iu defence of
this principle, and The constitution OF the
United States was formed and adopted ior the
purpose oil perpeluatiug i. 10 all time to come;
! a, the same time i, combined all the people
Of the Un'on in one confeieacy, with Ger
tain specified and limited powers for the
common defence and general welfare.
Under this system Of government, The nights
and privileges Of the African race remaio pre-
cisely as they wsrs when the Constitution Of
the United States was adopted, depends0,
entirely upon the local legislation and policy
of the several States where they may be
found. In my opinion, the policy of Illinois
has been wise and jus; one in regard to this