The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-05-07
grrrpsbnrs aonrnal.
Confscation of Rebel Property.
SPEECH OF HON. wM. T. CUTLER.


preston of the rebellion and prevent its return
Mr.. CUTLER said:
MR. CHA1RyAS: In the preamble of the
bill under consideration find the following
weighty and startling words:
Slavery has caused the present rebellion in the
United States. and there can be no solid and per
manent peace and union in this Republic SO long as
that institution exists
Sir, ! believe these words arc true. This
conviction imposes upon me the duty not
only of urging the President to use his pow
er as provided in the bill, but opens the
whole field of inquiry as TO what policy is
demanded to secure a. solid and permanent
peace and union" shall therefore address
myself directly to the inquiry whether, un-
der the Constitution, Congress has any right
to interfere with tho system of slavery in
the States.
approach the subjsSt-wifh some reluc-
nee, becauSef have, up to the breaking out
ls-TTvvT,Cllion. held that slavery was
local affair and that Congress, having no
Fights over it, had no duties to perform Ill
Lke promises. But have always claimed
shat if the guardians Of that institution, i'll
their folly and Madness ever did succeed in
giving il nationality, so that should be held
responsible in any way for its future exist
ence, it should have no mercy at my hands
am also compelled 70 approach this
question and look at it from the quiet stand
point of u plain business man, making no
pretensions to political sagacity, having a
thorough dislike for all political strategy
and no taste whatever for the mere agita-
ton of any question. But find 3 deep,
strong, and rapidly increasing undcr-current
of thought and feeling among quiat, intel
jigent people, running i'll the direction of a
fiiIsi and complete solution of this question
Of slavery.
This inquiry has produced some agitation,
and NAV produce mere. / have not i'll times
past furnished, nsr do expect i'll future to
Furnish, much contribution to such agita-
sion; but must say that Of one thing l
have as thorough n contempt AZ Is c@tsll-
tent with tllat courtesy desire at all times
to extend to those who differ with me i'll
opinion. aludc to that kind of political
management which seeks to control or sup.
press agitation upon this subject 10y dint OF
hard names, scornful epithets, and buster
ing threats.
remember once to have read of an cast
ern ,l,3narch marching at the head Of the
tHost I.un.et2ns army ever mustered, who
vas exceedingly annoyed by the boisterous
agitation of the waves Gt the sea, which
threatened TO interrupt his proyress and
defeat his plans. He resortcd to pronA.n-
ciamiento, and undertook to lecture the sea
into obedience. Now, i'll my humble judg-
ment. Xerxes made great ass of himself
and los. some money, when l.e undertook
to chain down the sea. There are people
today who are attempting as foolish task
and will some time Ca other be crowned
wlh the same honors. You migl:t as we'll
read tie riot act to West India hurricGil.
as to attetgpt to scold the people of this
DCNntry into SiiHf,pp IN any subject.
This agitation, sif, viii never stop until
this wtt;;nle question of slavery is settled Ill
accordance With tho judgment and Sop-
science of an intelligent Chyistian nation.
The short logic now running through the
minds of many people is this slavery il
the cause OF this war ; therefore slavery
must be destroyed.
1t is quite evident that the mind of the
President - with the simplicity, earnest
ness, and honesty which characterize the
man is running in the game deep and
thorough channel. In his recent message,
ne makes the Establishment Of slavery a
question Of " ociG-preservation," and az such
commends it to Congress. AS y faithful
Guardian of the national life, he has uttered
/. warning voice which it would be unwisc
If not criminal, to disregard While he
has shown proper Difference to those in
lerested and sought their cooperation IL
any practical measure --z i can not be sup
Doxed that he intends that o question OF
. ,clf-pteservation shall ever pass out OF ihG
land, of the sovereignty whose life is ell
iangered - Cor to admit that each State
yejing as States, can control and finally de
\ erinne question of liza and death for the
whole nation, is simply absurd.
The question then is upon MS, and philC
i.y own views are quite decided, and ils"e
= 1 -. = aI
vailing axiiStion, shall present them witt
ihcuiry as to what lie tils right way, dis
claiming all right or intention OF speaking
for anybody but myself ! shall indulge il
an independent utterance upon the "veXeC
question" having proper regard for dit
=, terences of opinion and pFopGr dlsregarc
Icr persona! consequences.
It can not be- dcuied that this genera
dread and real abhofFsnce of slavery pre-
waiting in the minds of rightMipded peo
Die is accompanied with the feeling lha
0thing can be done 10 secure its final over
thtoG without violating the Constitution O
the United States. | recognize this wide
spread, uniyorsal regard for the Constitu
lion as one of the gFeRd safeguards of ma
tionai existence, and not 10 b6 lightly es
teemed by those who give direction TO pab
lie opinion.
The inquiry therefore meets us at thu
threshold of the discussion: does the Con
stitutiOn by fair construction of its poG'
ers, authorize or permit such interference
by Congress with slavery as will lead TO 1T
ultimate extinctiont
1t Ia not simply in its property aspects
that siaveiy is urged upon our most Iagiou
consideration. The relation which tina
system bears TO our democratic institution
of government, the effect which its exis
ence has had and its continuance will hayt
upon their perpetuity, the antagonism
which naturally and necessarily flow from
that source and above all, the inti;nate AM
direct connection between that system ant
the present rebellion, furnish topics of ser
ious inquiry, and give rise TO the question
still more serious, whether the Constitution
itself is competent to grapple with impend
ci!ieient remedy.
The inquiry of course, must lead TO al
Investigation Of The real merits Of the sys
tenn of slavery, careful consideration o
its power and tendencies for mischief, am
involves the right and duty of Congress il
the preDises.
Without promising to pursue anything
like logical accuracy in the discussion, OF
fer the following propositions az basis
and will att6mpt to prove them sound
/. 1t is the right and duty of Congress I
lestyoy every enemy that threatens the ma
ionai life.
2. Slavery is such an enemy. Therefor
[ is the right and duty of Congress TO d'
frgN aiaVarV.