Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-08-31
For the Mcigs Co. Telegraph. .

are united. Il.
For the Mcigs Co. Telegraph.
Sentiments of Eminent Revolutionary
Statesmen upon Negro Slavery; as re-
CARDS its Wrongs, and violotions Of Hu-
man Rights; as source Of National
Weakness; and as to its fnal ertinction
or abolition.
NO. 1-CoNTINUED.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF MEIGs County:
The third OIL our list of "eminent Revo-
lutionary Statesmen" is james Madison,
of Virginia; who as a great constitutional
lover, and Statesman Of liberal, though
strictly democratic views, was second,
perhaps, to none of his illustrious asso-
ciates. TO him we owe the preservation
of a record of the "Debates" which took
place in the Justly celebrated Convention
of 1887, which framed our present Ma
tional Constitution, and Of which he was
an active and influential member. When
that instrument went into operation, he
was member of the first Congress, con-
yened under it, and there, as everywhere
else, he was distinguished for his. great
requirements, his clear, strong intellect,
and earnest devotion to the interests OF our
"glorious Union"
He WAS also one of the principal writer's
of the "Federalist," which work probably
contributed more to forming . popular
sent:mept favnrabiS to -rifso sapat,ls Uf oar
present Constitution, than anything of its
dav II is further, one of the best Com
mentaries" on that instrument, in ex-
istence.
As The author of the celebrated Virgin
ia Resolutions, of 1898, as we'll as of q
lengthy "report" upon the same. in which
the rights of the States are discussed with
unsurpassed ability, Mr.. Madison is well
known to the student Of our political his
tory. In short, as almost the father of the
Constitution, as its unexcelled expositor.
as pure minded Statesman of the first
| CLASS, lie 10 hilOWu W lHo AulClISap pSO'
pie and, without any further Introductory
remarks, we will endeayor TO give his
views upon the question of slavery.
We quote from the 9th volume of eel
lots Debates," which contains the
"Madison Papers" or Mr.. Madison's OWL
record of Debates in the Convention o.
1887, as follows: eve have seen the
mere distinction of color made, in the mos
enlightened period of time, a ground o
the most oppressive dominion ever exercised
by man over man." Page 1G2.
Again We quote from speech made il
the Convention, on the 9th Of June, 1887
in which he says: According to fac
and experience, minority may, in al
appeal to force, be an overmatch for tn,
majority-in the first place, if the mi
nority happen to include all such as possess
the skill and habits of military life, will
such as possess the great pecuniary re
sorces, one-third may conquer the remain
ing two-thirds in the second place, one
third of those who participate in the choice
of rulers may be rendered majority by
the accession of those whose poverty
disquali6es them from suffrage, anC
who, for obvious reasons, must be more
ready to join the standard of sedition thar
that of established Government and il
the third place, achere Sia0ery eriStS, III,
republican theory becomes still more Jalla
cious" 9th Elliot, page 209.
If slavery makes Republcanism "mor'
fallacious" than al the causes put by Mr.
Madison, above, it must surely be the
very quintessence Of anti-republicanism
yet we quote from his speech as reported
by himself.
Again, while debating the clmse IL
reference 10 the prohibition Of the African
sLive trade, Madison says: Twenty years
will produce all the mischief that can b'
apprehended from the liberty TO impor
slaves. So long term aOilI be more DIS
honorable TO tie american character thG'
to say nothing about 1t in tic COastiattiOn.'
Ibid, page AT.
In the same debate he further reports
himself as follows "Ar. -NadiSO'
uought Il ,crong to od,Ra into Mi Con
Stitution tie idea that there could be prop
eriy in man. The reason of duties die
not hold, az slaves aTC not like naerchan
disc consumed. DC" Ibid, page l7a.