The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-28

and residents OF the United states who
should engage in this trade between foreign
nations The provisions of this act were ex-
tended and enforced by the act OF 10th May,
tstn.
Again: The States themselves had n clear
right TO waive the constitutional privilege in-
tended for their benefit, and to prohibit by
their own laws, this trade at any time they
thought proper previous TO ISIS. Several OF
them exercised this right before that period,
and among them some containing the greatest
number OF slaves. This gave to Congress the
immediate power TO act in regard To all such
States, because they themselves had removed
the constitutional barrier. Congress accord
ingiy passed an act on 2sth February. 1903, "to
prevent the i'm portation of certain persons into
certain States where, by the laws thereof, their
admission is prohibited" In this manner the
importation of African slaves into the United
States was, to great extent prohibited some
years in advance of 1905.
AS the year fs0S approached, Congress deter
mined not to suffer this trade to exist even for
single day after they had the power TO abolish
it. On the 2d of March, 1907 they passed an
act to take effect "from and after the lst day of
January. is0S," prohibiting the importation of
African slaves into the United States. This
was followed by subsequent acts of similar
character. TO which need not specially refer.
Such were the principles and such the prac-
ticep& scr aaeesse.e fsaofe sirsn ifsy years ago
In regard to the African slaye-trade
1t did not occur 10 the reyered patriots who
had been delegates 10 the convention, and af-
forwards became membe of Congress, that in
passing these laws they had violated the Con-
stitution which they had framed with so
much care and deliberation. They supposed
that to prohibit Congress in express terms
from exercising specified power before an
appointed day, necessarily in volved the right
TO exercise this power after that day had ar
rived.
If this were not the case the trainers of the
Constitution had ex pended much labor in vain
Had they imagined that Congress would pos
sess no power to prohibit the trade either be-
fore or after lsls, they would not have taken
50 much care TO protect the States against the
exercise of this power before that period Nay
more they would not have attached such vast
Importance TO this provision as to have ex-
cluded 1t from the possibility of future repeal
or amendment, to which other portions of the
Constitution Were exposed 1t would then
have been wholly unnecessary to engraft on
the fifth article of the Constitution. prescrib-
ing the mode of its own future amendment,
the proyiso, THAT no amendment which may
be made prior to the year one thousand eight
hundred and eight shall in any manner affect"
the provision in the Con stitution securing to
the States the right to admit the importation
of African slaves previous to that period.
According TO the adverse construction.
the clause itself, on which SO much care and
discussion had been employed by the members
OF the convention. was an absolute nullity
from the beginning, and an that has since been
done under II a mere usurpation.
II was well and wise to confer this power on
Congress, because, had il been left TO the States
BILE. In that event any one State could have
efIectually continued the trade not only for
itself out for all the other slave States though
never SO much against their will And why (!
Because African slaves, when once brought
within the limits of any one State, in accord
ance with its laws, cannot practically be ex-
cluded from any other State where slavery
exists. And even il all the States had sepa-
rately passed laws prohi ibting he impor ia ton
of slaves, these laws would have failed of ef-
feet for want of a naval force to capture the
slavers and 10 guard the coasts. Such force
no Stale can employ in time of peace without
the consent of Congress.
These acts of Congress, ii is believed have
with very rare and Insignificant exceptions
mplished their purpose. For period of
more than half century there has been n O
peFceptble addition To the number of eur do
mestic slaves. During This period their ati-
vancement in civilization has far surpassed
that of any other portion of the African race
The light and the blessings of Christi
have been extended 10 them, and both their
moral and physical condition has been greatly
improved.
Reopen the trade, and it would be difficult
10 determine whether the effect would be more
deeterious on the interests OF the master or
on those of the native born slave OF the
evils to the master, the one most to he dreaded
would be the introduction of wild, heathen
and ignorant barbarians among the sober, or
derly, and quiet slaves, whose ancestors have
been on the soil for several generations. This
might tend to barbariZe, demoralize, and ex-
depiorable consequences.
The effect upon the existing slave would, if
possible, be still more deplorable. At present
he is treated with kindness and humanity He
is well fed, well clothed, and not overworked.
His condition is incomparably tier than that
of the coolies which modern nations of high
civilization have employed substitute for
African slaves. Both the philanthropy and
the seif-interest Of the master have combined
to produce this humane result. But let this
trade be re-opened, and what will be the effect!
The same, to a considerable extent as on q
neighboring island-the only spot now on
earth where the African slaye-trade is openly
tolerated: and this III defiance of solemn trea-
ties with power abundantly able at any mo-
ment to enforce their execution. There the
master, intent upon present gain, EFFORTS from
the slave as much labor as his physical pow
ers are capable of misunderstanding that,
when death comes to his relief, his place can
be supplied at price reduced TO the lowest
point by the competition of rival African slave
traders. Should this ever be the case in our
country-Which / do not deem possible-the
present useful character of the domes lie insti-
tuition, wherein those too old and TOO young to
work are provided for with care and humani-
ty, and those capable of labor are not over
tasked, would undergo an unfortunate change.
The feeling OF reciprocal dependence and at
tachment which now exists between master
anu slave would be converted into mutual dis
trust and hostility
But we are obliged, as a Chrstian and moral
nation. TO consider what would be the effect
upon unhappy Africa itself if we should re-
open the slaye-trade. This would give the
trade an impulse and extension which it has
never had even in its palmiest days. The nu-
merouS victims required to supply it would
convert the whole slave coast into a perfect
Pandemoninm, for which this country would
be held responsible in the eyes both of God
and man. Its petty tribes would then be con-
Etantiy engaged in predatory wars against
each other for the purpose of seizing slaves to
supply the American market. All hopes of
African civilization would thus be ended.
On the other hand, when a market tor Afri-
can slaves shall no longer be furnished in
Cuba, and thus all the world be closed against
this trade. we may then indulge reasonable
hope for the gradual improvement of Africa.
The chief motive of war among the tribes will
cease whenever there is no longer any demand
for slaves. The resources of that fertile but
miserable country might then be developed
by the hand of industry and afford subjects
for legitimate foreign and domestic commerce.
In this manner Christianity aud civilization
may gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this
Government towards China has been .indi-
Gated by the event. Whilst we sustained a
neutral position in the war waged by Great
Britain and France against the Chinese en-
pre, our late minister, in obedience to his in
structions, judiciousiy co-operated with the
ministers of these Powers in all peaceful mea-
sures to secure by treaty the just concessions
demanded by the interests of foreign COM
merce. The result is that satisfactory treaties
have been concluded with China by the re-
epective ministers of the United States, Great
Britain, France and Russia. Our 'treaty, or
general convention Of peace, amity and COM
meree," with that empire, was concluded at
Tientsin on the 18th June 1858, and was rati-
fed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, on the 2lst of De-
cember following.
On the 18th December, 1855, John Z. Ward, a
citizen of Georgia, was duly
as envoy extraordinary and
mi mister pIenipotentiary to China. He left the
United States for the place of his destination
on the 5.h of February, 1889. bearing with him
the ratified copy of this treaty, and arrived at