The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-05-03
PAST AND PRESENT.

whatever may nave Deen the lntenuon OF the
"powers that be-" in regard to the question of
slavery when the war broke out, it is very clear
now that the abolition of slavery is at least one
of its objects; and in this opinion we are not
alone, if We can Judge anything from the tone of
our exchanges. The Democratic papers through
out the North and West seem so to regard it.
The Lancaster Iatellgencer, one of the oldest and
ablest journals in the State of Pennsylvania,
uses this language: 'o'@" 5''1
.A''Two important bills were passed in Congress
on Friday week which fully confirms the fact
that the abolition of slavery is one of the leading
objects of this war, on the part of the Republican
members Of Congress and the Republican party"
But 1t seems useless to seek for proof of this
fact when men upon the floor of Congress de-
clare their Intention to vote no more men or
money to carry on the war, unless the abolition
Of slavery be its primary object. When We call
to mind the proclamations of officers, and the re-
spect paid by high officials to that arch-traitor
Wendell Phillips, while in Washington but
few weeks since, and when we calmly view the
whole conduct of Congress, with all the scenes
which are being enacted before u.s. can we hest
tate longer as to the cause which defeated every
proposition that looked to compromise which
was brought before the Conference which met in
Washington in the winter of 1861? All of us
know that the Republican members of that Con-
ference opposed and defeated everything, come
from what quarter it might, which looked to
peaceable settlement of our national difficulties
There never can be peace " says Mr.. Lovejoy,
'unti slavery is destroyed. This is the nations
oportunity;" and this is the opinion of his par
~ with scarcely an exception. He, perhaps, is
more bold aud less cautious than some of the
rest of his party, and in this lies all the difference
that exists between them. ....t.
If the Republican members of the Peace Con-
gress had met their fellow members in a spirit of
compromise, all our difficulties would have been
settled; but this done, and "Othello's occupa-
TONS gone"-the :.nations opportunity would
have been lost, and the Abolitonist could not
have been gratifed with what has since taken
place. aii .gtga.a asla ,... .au...
But beyond the mere taking from the master
his servant without his consent there is yet
more dangerous principle which underlies this
70 consultations doctrine much to be dreaded
ina republic like ours. In treating of this sub
ject in his farewell address, Washington said:-
"The spirit of incroachment tends to CONSOLE
date the powers of all the departments in one
and thus to create whatever the form of Govern
ment, real despotism. just estimate of that
love Of power and proneness to abuse it, which
preponderate in the human heart, is sufficient to
afsofxy 1f fl,a 49, Al T
there be no change by usurpation, for though
this in one instance may be the !. instrument of
good, 1t is the customary weapon by which free
governments are destroyed" n
If Congress has the power to interfere with any
one of the Institutions of State, then it has ju-
risdiction over the whole. If it can interfere
with the institution of slavery in the State of
Maryland then to the same extent can it interfere
with the stay law, or any other regulation, law,
or resolution Of the Legislature. The great diff
Guilty in adopting our national Constitution, grew
out of the differences of opinion which existed
among the people Of the several States. There
were those anxious that we should have strong
central Government, and others opposed to it
and in favor Of the sovereignty Of the States, as
check upon the national Government, and out
Of this dispute arose our present form of Govern
neht with all its limited and prescribed powers.
This was the effect Of a compromise between the
extremes of both parties. No power under the
Consultation can be exercised except those which
are plainly granted, or such as are, necessary to
carry into effect those which are clearly confer
red. All Others, says the Constitution, are re-
u - ~