Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-01-05

W
tance to this provision as to have exclu-
ded il 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 en-
graft on the fifth article of the Constitu-
tion prescribing the mode OF its own fu-
ture amendment, the proyiso. "that no a
mendment which may be made prior to the
year 1908 shall in no manner effect" the
provision in the Constitution securing to
the States the right to admit the importa-
tion of African slaves previous to that pc
riod
According to the adverse construction the clause
itself, on which so much care and discussion had
been employed by the members Of the convention,
an absolute nulify from the beginning, and all
that has since been done under mere llsurpaton.
1t was well and wise to confer thispower on Con-
grc, because, had it been left the States its eff
icient exercise would have been impossible. In
that event any one State could have eectually con-
tnued the trade not only for itself but for all the
other slave Suites, though never so much aga n i
their WILL And why? Because African slaves,
when once brought within the limits of any one
State, in accordance with its laws, cannot practi-
cally be excluded from any other State where slave
exists. Anu even IL tlc states nlu separate
y passed laws prohibiting the importation of slaves
these laws would have failed of effect for want of
naval force to capture the slavers and to guard the
coasts Such force no State can employ in time OF
peace without the consent of Congress.
These acts of Congress, it is believed have, with
very rare and insignificant exceptions. accomplished
their purpose. = For period of more than half u
century there has been no perceptible addition to
the number of our domestic slaves. During this
period their advancement in civilization has far
surpassed that of any portion of the African race
The light and the blessings of Christianity have
been extended to them, and both their moral and
physical condition has been greatly improved.
Reopen the trade, and ii would be difficult TO
determine whether the effort would be more delete
rious TO the interests of the master those OF
the native born slave. or the evils to the master
the one most to be dreaded would be the ntroduc-
ton of wild, heathen and ignorant barbarians a.
mong the sober. orderly and quiet slaves, whose
ancestors have been on the soil for several genera
lions. This might tend to barbarize, demoralize
and exaspcrate the whole mass, and produce the
most deplorable consequences.
The effect upon the existing slave would, if pos
sible, be still more deplorablc. At present he is
treated with kindness and humanity. He is we'll
fed, well clothed, and not overworked. HIS condi-
ton is iucomparably better than that of the coolies
which modern nations of high civilization have en-
ployed as a substitute for African slaves. Both the
philanthropy and self interest of the master have
combined to produce this humane result. Blu. let
this trade be re-opened and what will be the effect
The same, to considerable extent, neigh
boring island-the only spot now earth where
the African slave trade is openly tolerated; and
this in defiance of solemn treaties with Power
abundanty able at any moment to enforce their ex-
ccution. There the master, intent upon the pre-
sent gain, extorts from the slave much labor as
mis- physical powers are capable of enduring-know-
ing that, when death comes TO his relief, his place
can be supplied ut a price reduced to the lowest
point by the competition of rival African slave ira
ders. Should this ever be the case in our country
which do not deem possible-the present use
iul character of the domestic institution, wherein
those too old and too young to work provided
for with care and humanity, and those capable OF
labor are not Oyertasked, would undergo an untor-
tunate change. The feeling of reciprocal depcn-
dence and attachment Which now exists between
master and slave would be converted into matual
distrust and hostility.
Eut we are obliged Christian and moral ma
ton to consider what would be the effect upon un-
happy Africa Itself if we should reopen the slave
trade. This would give the trade an impulse and
extension which it has never had even in its palm
lest days. The numerous victims requii ed to sup
p'y it would convert the whole slave coast into a
perfect Pandemonium, for which this country would
be held responsible in the eyes both of God and
man. Its petty tribes would then be constantly en-
gagged 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 4 market for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba, and
thus all the world will be closed against this trade
we may then indulge in a 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 rcsour-
ces of that fertile but miserable country, might
then be developed by the hand of industry and af-
ford subjects for legitimate foreign AMI domestic
commerce. In this manner Christianity and civil
lzation may gradually penetrate the existing
gloom.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this gov
ernment towards China has been vindicated by the
event. Whilst we sustained neutral position in
the war wa sed by Great Britain and France against
the Chinese Empire, our late Minister, in obedi-
ence to his instructions, judiciously co-operated
with the Ministers of these Powers In all peaceful
measures TO secure by treaty the just concessions
demanded by the interests Of foreign commerce.
The result is, that satisfactory treaties have been
concluded with China By the respective Ministers
of the United States, Great Britain, France and
Russia. Our ''treaty, or general convention of
peace, a,nity and commerce." with that Empire
ard ratified by the President, by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, on the 2lst De-
cember following.
On the 18th December. 1858, John E. Ward,
distinguished citizen of Georgia was duly commits
stoned as envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentary to China. He left the United States for
the place of his destination OH the 5th February,
1859, bearing with him the ratified copy of this tre-
ty, and arrived ut Shanghae on the 26th May
From thence he procee-e to Pekin,' on the 10th
June, bat did not arrive at that city until the 9th
July. According to the terms of the treaty the
publications. were to be exchanged before the
18th of June, 1859. This was rendered impossible
by reasons and events beyond his control, not nc
cessary to detail but still it is due to the Chinese
authorities of Shanghac to state that they always
assured him no advantage should be taken of the
delay, and this pledge has been faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr. Ward at Pekin he request
cd an audience of the Emperor to present his letter
of crcdence. This he did not obtain in corsc-
quence osshis very proper refusalto submit to the
humiliatiEg ceremonies requredb by the etiquette of
this srange people IN approaching their sovereign.
Nevertheless the interviews on this question were
die regard to his personal feelings and the honor of
was found to be impossible the letter of crcdcnce
from the President of the United States was rcceiv-
ed with peculiar honors by Kwellins, "the Emper-
oT's Prime Minister and the second man in the en-
pire to the Emperor fimself' The ratiications
gust, exchanged in proper form ut Pei tsang. As
bed by the treaty, it is deemed proper, before its
IL .f,o,fs TO-, IN