Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-09-28
G. Q M NJ uultatr0
For the Moiga co. Telegraph,

For the Moigs Co. Telegraph,
Sentiments of Eminent Revalut o1aa,y
Statesmen upon Negro Stapery; as re-
go'ds ITS WrOngS, aJs1 Vioi0tionS Of ha-
man -RightS; as q source ot' NotiOndL
WeohDeS$;: amt 0sto us fAuk etlinelioM
or abolition. ,.-
NO. 1--CONTINUED.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF MEIus CouNTY:
We pass to North Carolina another of
the Original thirtcen,'' and which was
then asenow, aslavetholdins State. In
order to give fair view OF the question,
we are compelled to quote the whole of
the debate, in the North Carolina Conven-
ton. called to ratfy the National Consti-
tuition, on the clause preventing Congress
from prohibiting the slave trade, prior to
the year 1868. 1t runs thus lst clause
OF the 9th section reads:
M. G. McDowall wished to hear the
reasons of this res friction. Mr.. Splight
(who was delegate to the Constitutional
Convention) answered, that there was
contest between the Northern and Southern
States that the Southern States, whose
principal support depended on the labor of
slaves acOuLd not consent to the desire Of
tie -NOrthern States to exclude tie impor-
tation of slaves absolutely that South
Carolina and Georgia insisted on this
clause, as they were now in want Of hands
to cultivate tEeir lands that in the course
Of twenty years, they would be fully sup
piled 4; that the trade would be abolished
then, and that, in tho meantime, some tax
or duty might be laid OH them.
Mr. McDowall replied, that explanation
was just such as he expected, and by no
means satisfactory to him. and that he
looked upon it avs II very Objectionable part
Of the system.
Mr.. Iredell, afterwards Judge OF the
Supreme Court, of the United States:)
Mr.. Chairman: L rise to express senti
meuts similar to those of the gentleman
from Croven. For my part, We're it prac-
ticable to put an end TO the importation of
slaves Immediately, it would give me the
gl eatest pleasure for it certainly is a
trade utterly inconsistent with the rights of
humanity, and under which great cruel
ties have been exercised. When the en-
tire abolition Of slavery takes place, it will
be an event which must be pleasing to
every generous mind and every friend of
human nature but we often wish for
things which are not attainable. IL was
the wish of great majority of the Con
vention to put an end to the trade imme-
diately ; but the States of North Carolina
and Georgia would noU agree to it. Con
slider, then, what would be the difference
between our present situation in this re-
spect, if we do not agree to the Constitu-
ton, and what it will be if we do agree to
it. If we do not agree to it, do we remedy
the evil? No, sir, we do not. For if the
Constitution be not adopted, it will be in
the power of every State to continue it
forever. They may or may not abolish it
at their discretion. But if we adopt the
Constitution, the trade must cense after
twenty years, if Congress declare SO,
whether particular States please 50 or not;
surely, then, we gain by it. This was the
utmost that could be obtained. | heartily
wish more could have been done. But as
it is, this Government is nobly distin-
guished above others by that very pro-
vision. Where is there another country
in which such a restriction prevails We,
therefore, sir, set an example of humanity,
by providing for the abolition of this IN
human traffic, though at distant period.
L hope, therefore, that this part Of the
| ~ l. L, I,
cause it has not stipulated for what was
impracticable to obtain.
Mr.. Spaight further explained the clar S !:
That the limitation of this trade to the
term of twenty years was a compromise
between the Eastern States and the South
ern States. South Carolina and Georgia
wished to extend the term. The Eastern
States insisted on the entire abolition of
the, slave-trade. That the State of North
Carolina had not thought proper to pass
any law prohibiting the importation of
slaves, and therefore its delegation in the
Convention did not think themselves au-
thorized to contend for an immediate pro-
hibition of it.
Mr. Iredell added to what he had said
before, that the States of Georgia and
South Carolina had lost a great many
slaves during the war, and that they wished
to supply the loss.
Mr.. Galloway-Mr, Chairman: The ex-
PLANTATION given to this clause, does not
satisfy my mind. wish to see this abom-
Unable trade put an end to. But III case ii
I 4 Il.