Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-01
ccOrdng to its own pleasure without let or hndrance

according 10 us own pleasure, without let or hndrance
from the other Statos
At the time the federal Constitution was adopted, the
whole number OF slaves in all the States North of Della
ware, was 1880, of whom three-iourhs found in
New DIRK and New Jersey, and it was well known to
every one that IN few years the institution would cease
TO exist in all the Northern States
At this date the African slave trade existed in full vi
gor and the importation Of slaves into some of the States
was tolerated, whilst in others it strictly prohibited
under heavy penalties.
When in pursuance of the invitation given by Virgi-
MIA to her sister States to send delegates to Conven-
ton, to form more perfect Union that body assembled
these Universities in the Institutions and interests OF the
Northern and Southern States, which it was foreseen
would tend progressively to increase naturally attracted
attention, and we're the subject Of grave and anxious de-
liberation.
The first form in which the slavery question presented
itself to the trainers of the constitution in regard to
the relation of the slave population to taxation and rep
resentation This question was adjusted without much
debate, to the satisfaction of all parties, in conformity
with the rule previously established in the Continental
Congress by compromise, which stipulated that three
hfths of the slave population should be counted in esab
fishing the ratio of representation and in the imposition
OF direct taxes The votes by States on this proposition
stood: ACCOMPLISHMENTS Connecticut, New York,
Pennsylvania Maryland Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia.. Nays-New Jersey and Della
ware Elott's Debates, vol. l, p 203.
The next aspect in which the subject arose was in
here again the subject of difference was settled in wise
spirit OF Cancellation and mutual concession.
The proposition originally reported to the convention
was in these words The migration or importation of
such persons the several states existing shall think
proper TO admit shall not be prohibited by the Legsa-
ture prior to the year 1900 but tax or duty may be i'm
posed on such migration importation at rate not
ceeding the average of the duties levied on Imports.
Ellots Debates vol l, p 292. On the 25th Of August
1884, it moved to amend the report by striking
tba rad1 araHi
words "the year eighteen hundred and eight which
passed in the affirmative: Yeas-New Hampshire, Mas
sachusets Connecticut Maryland North CAROLINA South
Carolina and Georgia. Nays-New Jersey Penusyl-
vania, Delaware aud Virginia. Rhode Island and New
York did not the question. Thus il appears that
New Hampshire Massachusetts, and Connecticut voted to
proong the period during which the slave trade should
be allowed.
On the question agree to the first part Of the report
amended, viz THE migration or importation OF sJch
persons as the several States now existing shall think
proper to admit shall not he prohibited by the egisll
ture prior to the year 1905 it passed in the affirmative
Yeas -New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut
Maryland North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia
Z. Nays-New Jersey Pennsylvania, Delaware and Nir
ginia-4. ElliOtt's Deb. vol /, p 1856.
The of Virginia this subject it is well known,
dictated by friendly feeling the African slave
trade She had prohibited it by her own laws early
as 77S and George Mason OF her delegates the
Federal Convention refused to give his sanction the
Constitution among other reasons because il failed to
place an immediate interdict on the African trade
The third and last form in which the subject Of slave
~ was considered by the convention in reference to
the surrender of fugitive slaves The provision on this
subject up for consideration the goth of August
1851 Ii in these words " II any person be bound
service labor in any Of the United States and shall
escape into another State he she shall not be dscharg
ed from such service labor in consequence OF any
guation subs,ng in the State TO which they shall es
H. 1. Il tho,
ing their service or labor"
The proprety and justice of this provision were OBJ
vous, that it adopted by the unanimous of the
convention. EliotI's Debates vol. l. p. 303.
Your committee have thus reviewed the history of all
the provisions of the constitution of the United States
which have direct bearing the subject of slavery,
aud it will be that every point they of the
most distinct and imperative character They in the
nature OF formal covenants These cOnstitut
ed the consideration for which the Southern States agreed
to make concessions their part intended for the pub
lie good Without these covenants on the part of the
Northern States the constitution could not have been
formed adopted wise aud patriotic conciltion per-
yaded the councils OF the convention which secured har
mony in all their deliberations, aud unanimous vote
in favor Of the constitution
When their work was accomplished, by order Cf the
was submitted to the continental Congress-
by a letter from George Washington which
repete with just and patriotic sentiments and in
structye to the motives by which the convention was
guided, that YOUR committee cannot iOrbear to make
extracts from it, This letter. addressed his EG
cclleucy the President Of Congress- approved Sep
tember H. 1851 by unanimous order OF the convention.
at is obviously mprcticable" writes this wisest and
most patriotic of statesmen in the Federal Government
OF these States TO nj rights Of independent
eighty each aud yet provide for the interest and safe
" of ALL individuals entering into socety must give up
share Of liberty 70 preserve r. rect Tho magnitude
% the sagIir a"pe.d a. well on situation and c.r
cumsJance the object be obtained 1t is at all
times difficult to draw with precision the line between
those rights which must be surs udercd and those which
NAV be reserved aud the present occasion this diff
fculty increased by difference among the several
states as TO their situation, extent habits and particular
interests.
"Iu all our iberations on this subject we kept stead
iy in view that which appears the greatest in
terest of every true Amercan-the consolidation of our
Union-iu which is involved our property, felicity safety
perhaps national existence. This important consid-
Grafton, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds,
led each State IN the convention to be less rigid points
of inferior magnitude than might have been otherwise
expected and thus the constitution which we now pre-
is the result Of spirit Of ami'y and Of that mutual
difference and concession which the popularity of our
political situation rendered indispensable.
THAT it will meet the full and entire appreciation OF
every State Is perhaps to be expected but each will
doubtless consider that he'd her interest been alone con
suited the consequences might have been particularly
dsagreeabc injurious TO Others that il is liable "a
few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected
we hope aud believe; that it may promote the lasting
welfare of that country dear to ALL and her
fire. dom and happiness is our most ardent wish"
IL is doubtless true that the Constitution was not in
all It's details acceptable a single State represented in
the Convention. But it embodied tue results of their
joint counses governed by spirit Of concord and amity
ia obedience to which each State agreed to make
concessions for the common good.
The irt census taken IN the year 1890 and from
IN a. tho
regard to the computation Of three of the slave
population in ascertaling the of representation
has been faithfully and honestly observed.
In 1897 a law passed by Congress, in conformity
with the provisions Of the Constitution prohibiting the
slave trade after the - Of January 1905 No attempt
made pass such law before the day indicated by
the Constitutions aud therefore that also
performed with scrupuOus fidelity.
In 1893, Congress in obedience TO the mandate of
the constitution, enacted law providing for the rend
ton Of ugitiyes from labor This act defective in
many of it, provisions bat in consequence Of the spirit
OF fraternity and justice which peryaded the minds Of
the people OF all portions Of the Union in the earlier aud
better days of the republic, practical Inconvenience
resulted from the imperlecons in the law. As strik
ing Illustration OF the just sentiments which prevailed
shortly after the government OF the United States went
into practical operation your committee take pleasure in
referring the patrQc action OF the State of Vermont
In 1856, that State had passed penal law to prevent
the sale and transportation Of negroes and mulaoes
of the State See Haswell ed. IL. But Immediately
upon her admission into the Union she repealed it, be-
cause it supposed be in conflict with the section
of the constitution of the United States in regard the
surrender of fugitives from labor.
In 1902 the subject of the duty Of the States under the
federal constitution was referred to in the supreme
OF Vermont aud the judges avaied themselves Of the
occasion give expression to sentiments which deserve
be deeply impressed the hearts OF the people of all
sections. Judge Tyler remarked, with respecJ to what
aau oh tho a 10
Uuiop will observe that whoever views attenyey the
constitution of the United States while he admires the
wisdom which framed it, will perceive that in order TO
unite the interests of numerous people, inhabtng