The national Republican., 1862-03-19


as a violation Of the rights Of the citizens Of
that District, derived from the implied condi.
tons on which that territory was ceded to the
General Government"
Here 10 no denial, but virtual adm'sslon,
hat Congress possesses the power over slavery
1t The capital, and this attempt TO evolve q
concealed deslsn is evidence Of manifest del
egation Of power by the Constitution to Con-
gress.
In February, 1886, the legislature Of North
Carolina
"Resoiped, That although by the Constitu.
tion all legislative power over the District Of
Columbia is vested In Congress, yet we should L
deprecae any legislative action on the part Of
that body toward liberating the slaves Of that
District, as a breach Of faith toward, those
States BY whom the territory was originally |
oeded."
Here, II will appear, Is full scknowledg- |
ment Of the power, and q mere assertion Of |
doubtful fact.
In the same month of the same year the leg. |
islature Of Virginia
"Resolred That the following article be pro.
posed to the severa States OF this Union, and |
to Congress, rs an amendment to the Constitu.
ton Of the United States, viz: The powers Of
Congress shall not be SO construed as 10 author.
ize the passage Of any law for the emancipa-
tou VI oihNcb III tu0 DlbtIlCt VI OOIuHUlh, WIN
out the consent Of the individual proprietors
thereof, unless by the sanction Of the legisla.
lures OF virginia and Maryland, and under such
conditions as they shall by law prescribe"
This proposition by virgini, to amend the
Federal Constitution 50 as to deprive Congress
Of the power to abolish slavery In the District
is most conclusive proof that, in the estimation
Of ber Legislators, the Constitution as II is
confers upon Congress sufficient power and au.
thority to do the work.
5TH. IT HAS BEEN AvowED OR CONFESSED by
DISTINGUISHED STATESMEN AND JuRIsrs OF THE
SOUTHERN STATES.
Geo. Mason, Of Virginia, 10 Q speech before
the Virginia Convention, 1888, said:
"He thought there were few clauses in the
Omitted States) Constitution so dangerous Ms
that which gave Congress exclusive power OF
legislation within the ten miles square. This
clause gave them unlimited authority in every
possible case In the District"
Mr.. Grayson, In the same Convention, stated
that
AFTER mature deliberation, he could not Aud
that the ten miles square was 10 be looked ur on
even Ms part OF a State, but to be totally inde.
pendent OF all, subject 10 the exclusive legisls
tion Of Congress-"
Governor Rat dolph said:
"Holland has no ten miles square. but she has
tho Hague, where the deputies Of the States
assemble. But the influence which 1t has given
to the Province Of Holland to have the eeat of
government within its territory subject In some
respects to its control. has been injurious to the
other Provinces. The wisdom of the Conven
| tion is, therefore, manifest In granting to Con.
eress exclusive jurisdiction over the place OF
their session."
Mr.. Madison said:
al did conceive that the clause under con-
sderation was one OF those parts which would
speak It's own praise. When any power Is
| given, its delegation necessarily invo Ives au,
| thority TO make laws to execute II. The pow.
| ers which are found necessary to be given,
are therefore delegated generally, and partic
| ular and m mnute specification is left TO the leg.
i isature."
1.-THE indispensable necessity of complete
authority 1T the seat of Government carries
its own evidence with it,"
Patrick Henry said:
Congress have n right. by this clause, TO
make y law that such u district shall be set
apart for any purpose they please, and that
any man who shall act contrary to their com
mands; within the ten miles square, shall be
hanged"
But still later declarations are heard from
Southern men, Of distinguished ability, to tie
same effect.
Mr.. Smy,h, of Virginia, in bis speech in Con.
gress, on the Missouri question, on the 2sth Of
January, 1920, said:
"Within the ten miles square you have un.
doubted power 10 exercise exclusive legsla.
ton. Produce bill to emancpa,e the slaves
in the District Of Columbia, or II you prefer It
to emancipate those born hereafter"
Richard N. johnson, Of KY, in his speech on
the same subject in the Senate, Feb. lst, 1920
said:
"In the District of Columbia, containing a
population Of 1000 souls, and probably as
many slaves as the whole territory Of Missouri
the power of providing for their emancipation
rests with Congress alone. Why then this heart
rsnding sympathy for the slaves Of Missouri
and this cold irsensibility. This eternal apathy
toward the slaves in the District of Columbian
Mr. McDufiis, rs. C., in 1927, (alludiug to
the memorial presented by NJ. Barney, of Nd,
for the abolition of slavery in the District,)
Expressly admitted the right of Congress to
grant to the people Of the District any measure
which ,hoy might deem necessary to free them.
selves ir IN the deplcrable evil
Henry Clay, iu his speech in the Senate
March 9th, 1886, said:
ale con,ended that rs neither Virginia nor
Maryland, nor both combined could abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia, the power
Without limitation or restriction existed only
in Congress"
Robert B,rnwell Rhett, of South Carolina In
letter published in the Charleston .Nerclry
December q, 1887, stated
THAT the time had arrived when we mus,
have new guarantees under tIc Constitution, OF
the Union must be dissolved. Our views OF the
Constitution are not those of the majority. An
overwhelming majority think that, BY the Con
stitution, Congress may abolish slavery in the
District OF Columbia"
6rH.-S0RTHERN sTATESMEN HAVE vENTcRED TO
MAKE SIMILAR uTTERANCEs.
Daniel Webster is sufficient authority under
this head, and therefore be 1t known that, in 9
speech 10 the United States Senate, on the =
day Of January, 1887, this immortal Statesman
, declared
"That he had no hesitation in giving it as hi,
deliberate opinion that Congress did, under the
j. Cons,itution possess the power OF legislatinf
t on the subject of slavery in the District of Co
lumbia."
RELEASE OF PRlsoNERs.-The commission
9 consisting of Mr.. Perpont aud General Dix
have changed their place of meeting from IN,