Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-04

Amendment to which other portions OF I'd
Constitution were exposed. Itwould, then
have been wholly unnecessary to cngrat
on the fifth article of the constitution. pr:
scribing the mode of its own future amend
ment. the proviso. that no amendmen
which may be made prior to the year 0
shall in no manner affect the provision
in the constitution securing to the State
the right to admit the importation of Africal
slaves previous to that period.
According to the adverse construction
the clause itself on which so much car
and discussion had been employed by tn
members Of the convention, was an absolut
nullitv from the beginning. and all tina
his since been done under it mere uSurpl
ton.
1t was well and wise to confer this powc
upon Congress. because had 1t been left t
the states its efficient exercise would hav,
been impossible In that event any ont
state could have chectually continued til,
trade not only for itself but for all the othel
slave states though never 50 much agains
their will And why! Because African
slaves when once brought within the limit:
OF any one state, in accordance with it:
laws. cannot practically be excluded fron
any other state where slavery exists. And
even it the states had separately p3ssct
laws prohibiting the importation Of slaves
these laws would have failed of effect tol
want of a naval force to capture the slaves
and to guard the coasts. Such force nc
state can employ in time Of peace without
the consent o. Congress.
These acts of Congress, it is believed
have, with very rare and insignificant ex-
ceptions. accomplished their purpose. Fol
a period of mere than half century there
has blcn 10 pcryeptiblc addition to the
number Of our slaves. During this period
their Advancement in civilization has fan
surpassed that of any other portion Of the
African race. The light and blessings Of
Christianity have bcen extended to them.
and both their moral and physical condi-
ton has been greatly improved.
Reopen the trade, and it would be diff
cult to determine whether the effect would
lie more dcleterious to 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 hcathen and ignorant barbarilns
among the sober, orderly and quiet slaves,
whose ancestors have been on the soil for
several generations. This might tend to
barbarize dcmoralizc and exasperate the
whole mass, and produce the most deplora-
bie consequences.
The effect upon the existing slave, would.
If possible, he still more deplorable. At
present lie is treated with kindness and
humanity. He is well fed. well clothed,
and not over-wOlkcd. His condition is in
c1mparaJly better than that of the Coolies
which modern notions of high civilization
have employed as substitute for African
slaves. Both the philanthropy and self
interest of the master have combined to
produce this humane result But let this
trade be re-opencd and what will be the ef-
fect?. The same. to 4 considerable extent
as on a ncighboriug island, the only spot
on earth where the African sllvc trade is
openly tolerated, and this in deflnce of
solemn treaties with power abundantly
able at any moment to enforce their execu-
ton. There the master. intent upon the
present gain. cxt>rts from the slave as
much labor as his physical powers arc ca
pable of cnduring-knowing 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
siave-tradcrs. If this should ever be the
case in our country-which | do not deem
poSsible-the present useful character Of
the domestic institution, wherein those too
Old and too young to work are provided for
with care and humanity. and those capable
Of labor are not overtasked. would undergo
an unfortunate change. The feeling of re-
ciprocal dependence and attachment which
now exits between master and slave. would
be converted into mutual distrust and hos
tiiity.
But We are obliged as a Christian and
moral nation to consider what would be the
effect upon unhappy Africa itself if we
should rc-oi en- the slave trade This would
give the trade an impulse and extension
which it has never had even. in Its palmiest
days. The numerous victims required TO
supply it would convert the whole slave
coast into a perfect paudcmonium, for which
this country would be held responsible in
tie eyes both of God and man. Its petty
tribes would then be constantly engaged in
predatory wars against each other. for the
porposc of seizing slaves to supply the A.
n.elican market. All hopes of African
civilization would thus be ended.
On the other hand. when a market for
African slaves shall no longcd be furnished
III Cuba. and thus all the world lie closed
against this trade, We may then indulge
reasonable hope for the gradual improve
ment 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 hut miserable coun-
try might then be developed by the hand
of industry, and afford subjects for legiti-
mate foreign and domestic commerce. In
this way Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the course pursued by
this government towards China. has bcen
yindicatcl by the event Whilst We sus-
tanned a neutral position in the war waged
by Great Britain and France against the
Chinese Empire. our late Minister, in obe-
dience to his instructions. juIiciouSly CO.
operated with the ministers Of these powers
in all peaceful measures to secure by treaty
the Just concessions demanded by the inter-
ests of foreign commerce. The result is,
that satisfactory treaties have been conclu-
ded with China by the respective Ministers
of the United States, Great Britain, France
and Russia. Our treaty, or general con-
vention Of peace, amity and commerce.
with that Empire, was concluded at Mient-
sin on the lath of June, lSjS. and was
ratified by the President. by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, on the
2lst Of December following.