The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-12-14
DeceBnsal slavery ana Secession
AgIfatt ems.


miads, and more numerous Philhppics against
modern Abolisionism and recent agitation of
the slavery question, as if slavery agitation
Was rev thing in the land. Even Presi-
dent Buchanan 10 his Message limits the pc
Rod OF the agitation to the last twenty five
years, and many persons seem to think that
it had no political significance until the or
ganization Of the Republican party. A ref
ersnce to the history Of the country, how
ever, will show that there has been no period
Of ten years, since the adoption Of the Con-
undsturbed by violent exsitemen.
and threats Of secession.
Ia February, 1870, memorials from the
quarterly moetings Of the Quaksrs OF Penn.
sylvania, Delaware and New York, against
the African slave trade, and petition from
the Pennsylvania Abolition aaciety, signed
by Benjamin Franklin as Presidents, on the
subject Of slavery, were presented in the
House Of Representatives. The pfeseata-
tions Of these petitions vas the signal for
fierce excitement; they were denounced as
mischicvous, meddlesome, fanatical and nm
constitutional, and it was declared on the
floor Of the House that their reference to =
committee 'swould sound the alarm and blow
the trumpet Of sedition through the Southern
States" The menbsrs from South Carolina
and Georgia-shen she only cotton States
defended slavery a. = ratriarchal and Chris
tian institution, and threatened resistance to
any invasion Of their rights in terms and ar
guments which have only been repeated and
intensified by their successors. Bot their
arguments were answered by Madison and
others from Virginia and Marylsnd as well
- from the Northern States, and the petit
ticns were referred to . committee, which
reported several resolutions which furnished
the subject for dsbate OF much heat and
violence, running through many days Of the
session. The resolutions adopted led to no
practical result during that session but nu-
nsrous petitions Of like character, and
from general convention Of the Abolition
societies Of the several States, held at Phila-
delphia, led to tee passage OF law by Con-
gress, in 1894, imposing restrictions to dis
coursge the slave trade.
In January, $500, petition was presented
BY the coorod people Of philadelphia setting
forth that the Law in relation to tho African
slave trade was violated with impnnity, and
that the Fugitive Slave law of 1893 was at
tended with many abuses aud distressing cir
cumstances in its execution. This petition
excited a great clamor amongst the slave
holders, who were specially sensitive on &C
count OF their recent slave insurrection in
Virginia. Tho debate was not reported at
any length, but tue petition, 50 far as it re-
lated 10 matters within the power Of Con-
gress, was referred to a committee. Tha,
committee reported bill which was passed
restricting by more stringent provisions the
supply OF slaves to foreign countries by sbips
OF the United States.'
The near approach Of the great presiden.
tial struggle between Adams and jefferson
had tendency to cut short the slavery aei
tation in 1870.
The sext great slavery agitation, which
in regular course, should have come on II
1910 vas advanced couple Of years by til,
expiration Of the Constitutional Limitation
OF the prohibition OF the slave trade BY Con
gress. The consideration OF Law prohibit
ing the African slave trade occupied grea
portion OF the session OF Congress in 1905
The Shareholders being unable to prevent ID
passage Of law, did oil in their power t
render il as inefficient as possible, and in
dulged in their usual easconads and brow
beating OF Northern members. The bill wa
referred to committee OF one from csc
State-then seventesn-in order TO shape
to the satisfaction Of the 6re eaters, "wh
had declared that they would resist its Pre-
visions with their liyes." The bill ultimate
~ passed, but John Randolph OF Roanoal
the spokesman for the ultras, said that il
certain amendment was not adopted sstt
Southern people would set the act al dc!
ance, and be would set the example Of resis
into ruins" He threatened and predict,
disunion and accession, and others spoke
the same strain. The bill passed, howeve
and Randolph and the rest submitted.
.ao Tbs terrible conmotion over the Nilsson
question in 1920, which alarmed the reoy
"lke . IRE bell in the night" the perilo
emelate Of the slave olignrchy Of South Car
lima 10 1882, and the fierce strife in Congr,
On the occasion, and the great struggle /
tween the North and South over Califorr
AID New Mexico in 1850, are familirr to
our readers.
The decenpial excitement Of the period
l840 VAS violent and protracsed, sammsnc
in 1887, With the denial OF the right Of .,