Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-04-24

We need not refer to themercenary
spirit which introduced the infamous
traffic in slaves to show the degrada-
ton of negro slavery in our country.
This system was imposed upon our
colonial settlements by the mother
country, and it is due to truth TO say
that the commercial colonies and
States wero chiefly engaged in the
traffic. But we know, as historical
fact, that James Madison, that great
and good man, leading member of
the Federal Convention, was solicit
ous to guard the language Of that in
strument so as not to convey the idea
that there could DO property in man.
A slave is not mere chattel He
bears the impress Of his Maker, and
is amenable to the laws Of God and
man. And he is destined TO an end
less existence.
/ prefer heights Of Madison, Ham,
ilton and Jay, as a means of constru-
tion in all its bearings, rather than to
look behind that period into q traffic
which is now declared TO be piracy,
and punished with death, by Chris
tian nations. / do not like TO draw
tho sources of our domestic relations
from so dark a ground. Our inde-
pendence was great epoch in the
history of freedom, and while admit
that the Government was not made
especially for the colored race, yet,
many Of them were citizens of the
New England States, and exercised
tho right Of suffrage whom the Con-
stitution was adopted, and IL was not
doubted by any intelligent person that
its tendencies would greatly amelio-
rate their condition.
Many Of the States, on the adoption
Of the Constitution, or shortly after
ward, took measures to abolish slave
ry within their respective jurisdic-
tions; and it is well-known fact that
u belief was cherished by the leading
men, south as well rs north, that the
institution Of slavery would gradu-
ally decline till il would become ex-
tinct Tho increased value Of slave
labor, in tho culture Of cotton and SUI
gar, pocvcntcd the realization of this
expectation. Like all other commu-
mites and States, the south were in
duenced by what they considered TO
be their own interests.
But if we are TO turn our attention
to the dark ages Of the world, why
condnc our view 10 colored slavery?
On tho 6ame principles white men
were made slaves. All slavery has
its origin in power, and against right.
Tho power of Congress 10 establish
tcrritorial governments, and 10 pro-
hiblt tho introduction Of slavery
thoroin is the next point 10 be con.
slderod.
In May, 1857, Mr.. Edmund Ran.
dolph submitted 10 tho Federal Con
ycntion certain propositions, ne tho
basis ofa Federal Government. among
which was the following:
Rcsolred. That provision ought 20
DO made for tho admission Of States
lawfully arising within the limits of
tho United States, whothor from vol.
untary Junction Of government and
territory, or otherwise, with the con
test OF u number OF voices IN the nv.
tional Legislature less than thewholo.
Ahcrward Mr., Madison submitted
TO the Convention IN order TO be 70.
iorrcd 10 the Committee of Detail, tho
following powers, a. proper 10 bo ad.
dod 70 those of the general Legisla.
tnrc.
TO dispose of the unnppropriated
lands OF the United States. TO In.
stltate temporary governments for
new States arising therein. To reg.
uato affairs with the Indians, as well
within as without tho limits Of the
United States,
Other propositions were made in
reference 20 the same subjects, which
Il would be tedious TO enumerato.---
Mr.. Governeur Morris proposed the
following, The Legislature shall
have power 70 dispose OF, and make
all needful rules and regulations re-
spoeting the territory or other prop
crty belonging to the United Statess
and nothing IN this Constitution con.
tanned shall be so construed as 20 pre-
judicc any claims eithero tho United
Stateso or any particular States. This
was adopted as "A part of the Consti-
tuition, with two verbal alterations
Congress was substituted for Lcgis-
lature, and the word soither" was
stricken out.
On the 18th of July the Ordinance
Of 1887 was passed, for the govern
ment Of the United States territory,
northwest of the river Ohio with
but one dissenting vote. This instru-
ment provided there should be organ
lied in the territory not less than
three nor more than five States, desig-
mating their boundaries. 1t was
passed while the Federal Convention
was in session, about two months be-
fore the Constitution was adopted by
the Convention. The members Of the
Convention must, therefore, have been
well acquainted with the provisions of
the Ordinance. 1t provided for o
temporary government as initeatory
to the formation of State govern
ments. Slavery was prohibited in the
territory.
Can any one suppose that the emil
nent men of the Federal Convention
could have overlooked or neglected a
matter so vitality important to the
country, in the organization Of tenn
porary governments for the vast ter
ritory northwest of the river Ohio?
In the third section of the fourth ar
ticle Of the Constitution they did make
provision for the admission of new
States, and the sale of our public
lands, and the temporary government
Of the territory. Without a tempo
rary government new States could
not have been formed, nor could the