St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-09-19
Communications.
THE SLAVES OF THE SOUTH.

| For the 81. Charles City Intellgcnecr.
THE SLAVES OF THE SOUTH.
| DEAR INTELTIGENoER The several
Colonies of Great Britain that gained
their independence through the Revo-
lutionary struggle, became indcpend.
ent States as soon as the British pow
er was broken. They entered into a
confederacy in the capacity of sorereign
States. They so remained until the
adoption of the Federal Constitution,
by which their sovereignty was merg-
cd into the General Government, and
each, and all the States became subor-
dinate thereto. Their identity, now,
as States, and indeed, the pcrpetuity
of their organic existence, was made
dependent upon their connection with,
and fidelity TO, the Federal Govern
ment. They held kind Of indepcnd-
ence of each other, and also of the
General Government in such domes-
tic affairs as did not in anywise inter-
fere with or affect either, under the
General Government.
This state of affairs continued with
all the States until the present out
break and insurrection occurred. This
being an attempt at uprooting the
Government, and, being made by the
States in their State capacity, it fol-
lows as sure as the fates that, their
organizations, and identity, as States,
and component parts Of the Union,
under State form, become forfeit as
such, with the whole mass Of landed
and personal estate. AS property
goods and chattles-they held men
in state of Slavery, every vistige
of legal right, therefore, to those NOV
ing, human chattels became null and
roid from the moment that their Ordi-
nances of revolt were passed. What,
now, is the duty of the General Gov
ernment in regard to those blacks
thus liberated that swarm its south
ern and southwestern territory, which,
as respects legal or constitutional
Government, is in state of anarchy :?
The question is grave one, and cer-
tainly commends itself with irrcsisti-
BILE force to every functionary of the
General Government. 1t will avail
nothing to say that, when the rebellion
is subdued the slaves may again be
claimed and possessed by their form
or owners. They, who were slaves,
heretofore, under law, are now free
men. The law whereby they were
held as such, having been annihilated
with all other rightful institutions of
the revolted States.
There is no power in the General
Government to create slaves. And,
should new Government be formed
in the rebel countries after the rebel
lion is crushed, Congress will have no
power to authorize property to be
held in man. The source and foun-
tain of all Governmental power viii
arise from the Constitution through
the action Of Congress. And how, in
the name of Washington, is slavery
ever to be rc-crcated in those terrific
ries, since there is no power in the
Constitution, itself, to authorize it
A great responsibility will rest upon
the hands of Government, and greater,
it is feared than it will be able, easily,
to dispose of. 1t is now time for
them to be looking into the matter
and making arrangements suited to
the occasion. In the proper disposal
of this question every man and patri.
OF has deep interest, and let every
one bethink himself, and shape his
course accordingly. Why don't the
President make proclamation of their
freedom I? 1t is certainly befitting he
should, and it would prove great re.
lief.
/ am aware that it has been charg.
cd upon the Republican party thai
they are working for the entire aboli
tion of slavery. ultimately. Whether
this were SO or not, it does not avail
the weight Of hair. The mine o
slavery was all arranged in order by
the slave oligarchy and the mattel
placed and the giant Secession has
given it the touch, the light friction
and it has exploded and thrown itsel
into utter annihilation The inevila
BILE operation Of taae, has taken the for
feiture at their hands despite of them
selves, and despite of the world Tht
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