Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-09-07

Of separation between us and Great Brit
ain. It's exclusion has been principal
object of this State, and most of the States
in the Union. The augmentation of
slaves weakens the States and such
trade is diabolical in itself. and Disgrace
ful to mankind; yet by this Constitution
it is continued for twenty years. Asmuch
as value a union of all the States. 1 |
would not admit the Southern States into
the Union unless they agree to the dscon-
tinuance Of this disgraceful trade, because
it would bring ,Ocakness and not strength,
to the Union. And, though this mla-
nous traffic be continued, we have no Sc
curity for the property OF that kind which
we have already. There is no clause in
this Constitution to secure it, for they
may lay such tax as will amount TO man
omission. And should the Government
be amended, still this detestable kind of
commerce cannot be discontinued till after
the expiration of twenty years; for the 9th
article, which provides fot amendments,
expressly excepts this clause. / Ihave ever
looked upon this as most disgracful
thing TO America. cannot express my
detestalion of it. Yet they have not Sc
cured us the property of the slaves we have
already. So that they have done what
they ought not TO have done, and left un-
done what they ought to have DONE" Ell
liot, vol. 3, pages 1873.
Thus much for Col. Mason of Virginia.
In common with Washington, Jefferson,
and Madison, whose sentiments have been
given, he viewed slavery as most afro
cious violation of the rights Of man, as II
constant source of national weakness in
stead of strength, and as an evil which
should be destroyed as soon as it would be
consistent with the good of all concerned.
The reader will not pass over his state-
ment of the historical fact that slavery
was one of the "great causes of our sep
aration from Great Britain" The paral-
lei between the attempt of George the Ill
to force slavery upon the American Colo
nes, and that of Buchanan to force it upon
the people of Kansas, is perfect, with this
lexception, viz: That Georgethe III was
la King upon the Throne, reared among
monarchical institutions and usages, while
Buchanan is the Chief Executive of 4 peo
pie whose government is Republican,
based upon the principles of human free
dom and equal natural rights-and while
he has been nurtured in Democracy
taught the doctrines of liberty from his in
fancy-living century later than King
f George--the history Of which has show
more of the capacity Of mankind for self
government than the ages Of mans annal
PRECEDING it. Is not George the | III NOR
excusable for his infamous tyranny tina
: our present Chief Magistrate?
7 Next upon our list is Patrick Henry
one of the great "orators of the Revolu
e ton" AS man Of great influence, {
n stein integrity and the highest alteration {
It the Goddess of Liberty" he was, pei
e haps, unsurpassed by any of his great &C
v temporaries. His speech before the Vii
Ii oinia Convention, commencing with: 6.
Ii is natural for man to indulge i'll the ill
= sions of hope" is familiar to every scho'
y boy; while his great Treason speech b.
,. fore the Virginia House of Burgesse
}, though less populally known, is at Il
l. same time remarkable as constituting q
IS epoch in our Revolutionary history. NJ
of Henry was leading mem Der in the v:
& ginia Convention called to ratify our M
Y. tional Constitution; and although oppose
3 to the adoption of that instrument, yet ;
in his opposition was based upon his dee
d love of liberty, which he considere
ls would thereby be endangered, his doub
at never gave the least grounds for suspec
ing his patriotism. In that Convention
Is OH the 24th of June, 1888, he made
lengthy speech, during which he spoke
Of follows, upon slavery: "Among ten tho'
ii sand implied pOwers which they (Col
ly gress) may assume, they may, if we
~ engaged in war, liberate every one of yo'
D. slaves if they please. And this must al
T will be done by men, a majority of who
- have not common interest with yo
Q. They will, therefore, have no feeling
a. your interests. 1t has been repeatedly sa
d. here, that the great object of nation
m government was a national defense. Th
y power which Is said to be intended for S
a curity and safety may be rendered detes
On able and oppressive. If they give Il
n. power to the General Government to pr
as vide for the genera! defense, the mea
al must be commensurate to the end. A
RS the means in the possession of the peoI