The Washington union., 1857-05-29

that Congress considered slavery State institution 70 be
continued and regulated by its individual sovereignty
and 10 ooncate that interest," the slave trade was contin
ued twenty years not general measure but for the
benefit of such States shall think proper TO encour
age it,
In the case OF Groves Slaughter, Q5 Peters 449
IA Curtis 1877 Messr Clay and Webster contended that
under the commercial power Congress had right to reg
ulate the slave trade among the several States but the
court held that Congress had power to interfere with
slavery it exists in the States to regulate what is
called the slave trade among them If this trade were
subject to the commercial power, 1t would follow that
Congress could abolish establish slavery in every State
of the Union
The only connexion which the federal government
holds with slaves in State arises from that provision OF
the constitution which declares that person held to
service labor in State under the laws thereof es
Gaping into another shall in consequence of any law or
regulation therein, be discharged from such service or
labor but shall be delivered up claim of the party to
whom such service or labor may be due"
This being fundamental law of the federal govern
men 1t rests mainly for its execution has been held
the judicial power of the Union and far the
dton of fugitives from labor has become subject of
judicial action the federal obligation has been faithfully
discharged.
In the formation of the federal constitution
taken to confer power the federal government to
interfere with this institution in the States In the pro-
vision respecting the slave trade in fixing the ratio OF
representation and providing for the reclamation of -
gves from labor slaves referred TO persons and
in no other respect they considered in the constu
ton.
We need not refer to the merconay spirit which intro
duced the Infamous traffic in slaves to show the dega
dation of negro slavery in country This system
imposed upon colonial settlements by the mother
country and it is due to truth to say that the
ca colonies and States were chiefly engaged in the traffic
But we know as historical fact that James Madison
that great and good man. leading member of the fede
raj convention solicous to guard the language of
that instrument not to convey the idea that there
could be property in man.
prefer the lights of Madison, Hamilton, and Jay
nf in all ng
rather than to look behind that period into traffic which
is declared to be piracy and punished with death by
Christian nations do not like to draw the sources Of
domestic relations from dark ground. Our indie
pendence great epoch in the history of freedom
and, while admit the government was not made espe
cay for the coored race yet many of them we're citizens
of the New England States, and exercised the rights of
suffrage when the constitution adopted and it
not doubted by any intelligent person that i tendencies
would greatly ameliorate their condition.
Many of the States, the adoption of the constitution
or shortly afterward, took to abolish slavery
within their respective Jurisdictions and it is a we'll
known fact that belief cherished by the leading
men, South well North, that the institution Of
slavery would gradually decline until it would become
extinct The increased value Of slave labor in the culture
of cotton and sugar prevented the realization Of this
pecation Like all other communities and States, the
South influenced by what they considered to be their
own interests.
But if to turn attention to the dark ages of
the world, why conne view to colored slavery? On
the principles white made slaves All slave
ry has its origin in power, and is against right
The power of Congress to establish territorial govern
ment and to prohibit the introduction of slavery therein
is the next point to be considered.
After the cession of western territory by Virginia
and other States to the United States the public at
tcnton was directed to the best mode of dsposing Of
it for the general benefit While in attendance the
Federal Convention Mr. Madison, in letter to Edmund
Randolph, dated the I'D April, 1857, says Congress
are deiberating on the plan most eligible for dis
posing of the western territory not yet surveyed.
! ali will prph he mad in he ordi-
nance on that subject" And in the same letter he
says: ''Ihe inhabitants Of the Illinois complain
of the land obbers SC, who purchasing titles among
them. Those of st. Yncents complain of the defect
i've criminal and civil justice among them well of
military protection" And the next day he writes to
Mr.. Jefferson 'The government of the settlements on
the Illinois and Wabash is subject very perpcxing in
ITSELF and rendered more by ignorance of the many
circumstances on which right judgment depends The
inhabitants at those places claim protection against the
savagcs, and some provision for both civil and criminal
justice
In May, 1887, Mr.. Edmund Randolph submitted to
the federal convention certain propositions the basis
of federal government, among which the follow
ing
admission of States lawfully arising within the limits of
the United States whether from voluntary junction of
government and territory otherwise with the consent
Of number of voices in the national Legislature less than
the whole"
Aferward, Mr. Madison submitted to the convention,
in order to be referred to the committee of detail the fol-
lowing powers proper to be added to those Of general
legislation
To dispose of the unapproprated lands of the United
States. To institute temporary governments for new
States arising therein To regulate affairs with the In
dians, well within without the limits of the United
States.
Other propositions made in reference to the same
subjects which it would be tedious to enumerac. Mr..
Gouverneur Morris proposed the following:
The Legislature shall have power to dispose of and
make all needfu rules and regulations respecting the
tory other belonging to the United States
and nothing in this constitution contained shall be
construed to prejudice any claims either of the United
States or of any particular State.
This was adopted part of the constitution, with
two verbal substituted for legs
laturc, and the word either stricken out
In the organization of the government but little
revenue for series of years expected from commerce
The public lands considered the principal
OF the country for the payment of the revolutionary debt
Direct taxation the relied to pay the
rent expenses of the government The short period that
occurred between the ccsson of western lands to the fed
cral government by Virginia and other States and the
adoption of the constitution sufficient to show the
necessity of proper land system and temporary govern
ment This was clearly by propositions and remarks
in the federal convention, of which above cited
by the passage of the ordinance of 1887 and the adoption
OF that instrument by Congress, under the constitution
which gave to it validity
1t will be reooected that the deed of cession of western
territory made to the United States by Virginia in
1884 and that required the territory ceded be laid
the benefit of the States and that ali right title
and claim well of soil of jurisdiction were cedcd
and this the form of cession from other States
On the 18th of july the ordinance 1877 rassed