Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-08-31

opportunity Of evidencinS their sentiments
on the policy and humanity of such Il
trade.
The other was, that they might be taxed
in due proportion with the other articles
imported; forifthe possessor will consider
them as property, of course they are OF
value, and ought to be paid for. If gen
temen are apprehcnsive of oppression from
the weight OF the tax, let them make an
estimate of its proportion, and they will
find that it very little exceeds five per cent
ad ra'orcm 50 that they will gain very
little by having them thrown into the mass
of articles while, by selecting them III
the manner proposed, we shall fulfill the
prevailing expectations Of oar Jcltoa0 c't'-
zens, and perform our duty IN erecutiny tie
purposes Of tie Constitution. 1t is to be
hoped, that by expressing national dis
appreciation Of this trade, ace may destroy
il, and save ourselves from leproaches,
and our posterity the iMBEClLlTY
EVER ATTENDANT ON A COUN-
TRY FILLED WITH SLAVES.
do not wish to say anything harsh to
the hearing of gentlemen who entertain
different sentiments from me, or different
sen .iments from those represent but if
there is any one point in which it is clearly
the policy of this nation, so far as We con-
stitutionally can, to vary the practice OBJ
tanning under some Of the State Govern
ments, it is this. But it is certain a
majority Of the States are opposed to this
practice therefore, upon principle we
ought to discountenance it as far as i'll our
power.
If were not afraid OF being told that
the Representatives of the several States
are the best able to judge Of what is proper
and conducive to their particular prosper
ity, should venture to say that it is as
much the interest of Georgia and South
Carolina as any in the Union, every addi-
tiouthey reeeire>te their number of slaves,
tends to WEAKEN AND RENDER
THEM LESS CAPABLE OF SELF
DEFENSE. In case of hostlitics with
Foreign Nations, they will be the means
of inviting attack, instead Of Tepelling tR-
rasion. 1t is necessary duty OF the
General Government to protect every part
of the empire against danger, as well III
ternal, as external Everything, there
fore, which tends to increase this danger,
though it may be local affair, yet, if ii
involves national expense or safety, be-
comes of concern to every part of the
Union, and is proper subject for the con-
sideration of those charged with the gen
eral administration of the Government
hope, in making these observations,
shall not be understood to mean that {
proper attention ought not to be paid to the
local opinions and circumstances of any
part of the United States, or that the par
ticular representatives are not best able tt
Judge of the sense of their immediate
constituents.
If we examine the proposed measure by
the agreement there is between it and the
existing State laws, it will show us that i
is patronized by very respectable part o
the Union. l am informed that Soutl
Carolina has prohibited the importation o
slaves for several years yet to come. w
have the satisfaction, then, of reflectinG
that We do nothing more than their owl
laws do at this moment. This is not th'
case with one State. l am sorry that he
situation is such as to seem to require {
population Of this nature but it is i'm
possible, in the nature of things, to COR
suit the national good, without doing wha
we wish not to do to some particular part
Perhaps gentlemen contend against th'
introduction Of the clause on too sligh
grounds. If it does not comport with th'
title of the bill, alter the latter. If it doe
not conform to the precise terms of the
Constitution, amend it. But if it will
tend 20 delay the whole bill, that, perhaps
will be the best reason for making it the
object Of a separate one. If this be th'
object of the Committee, shall submit. ,
See for the above speech, Benton
Abridgment Of the Debates of Congress
vol. / pages 1916.
We have given the speech of Mr.. Madi
son entire, in order TO silence all charge
in regard to garbled quotations, and 70
; the purpose of giving the people Of Meig'
irst-iate "Black Republican" epeect
from Que Of the old leaders of the Older
time Democracy. The reader will observe
that Mr.. Madison nowhere speaks of slaves
as property under the Constitution of th'
United States, but as persons" who have
''some rights which whites are bound t
respect"
His remarks on slavery as source o
National weakness will not escape notice
in these days when pretended Democracy
are endeavoiing to extend aud forever per
f petuate SO Infamous an institution. Read
and ponder well this speech, fellow cti
1o,,S asrnsi.fll \, s.,,,h ,f won aG are Nom.