The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-02-26

great moral ana pohtlcal> eVlt-a
crime against civilization and
christianity. In the light, of jus
tice and of true, christianity, it
never eoud have legally existed.
The institution was relic of bar
barisrn, inherited from our fathers,
and from the very scum Of all law
:lessd desperadoes eAfrieanslaVe-
traders. Shall we now after havs
ing succeeded in getting free from
this terrible curse, still ontinue to
recognize Its legality in any shape
2or form? Was It not bad enough
to be forced to recognize it while
it existed. without continuing to
do so since it haszceased to exist =?
Then, we had a most potent reason
for reeogniziRg it ; We could not
help it.. But now it depends en-
ssiirely upon ourselves. : / am con-
yiaced that properly considered,
leaving out prejudice and personal
interest, no one'iuthis Convention
would think Of opposing this meas
me, which propeses to, annul for
ever all rights growing out of
slavery But here, We zare@ not
left to our own resources. These
contractssbase been set aside in
garious places. H Lam net mis-
taken, the %. s. District Court of
Louisiana has decided against
their validity. Sen. sickles, who
is an able lawyer, asweI asa true
Rep. General, set aside all debts
for the purchase of slaves. See,
: ,s order .Ne.s19 This he did in;
his capacity Of military command
er.s But isSit not clear, that he:
would NOT have done sc, had he
considered them valid like other:
debts = AGAIN, the Congress Of
the. United States ON the. 18th Of;
March, 1857, passed a. bill, annuE
liiagsa previoass contract to pay for
all slaves drafted into. the United
States army: All Of the Repobli-
cans and some Of the Democrats
voted in favor of this thus clearly
showing that they regarded ,adl
for slaves as null and
void. IN Siew<ef ali these facts;
should We; as q ConFehtion hesi
tate toado what every principle Of
Justice So clearly demandss ~ = -. !
Again T contend that still to
reeegn:ze debts or obligations Of
any kind fonsEaVes, issstiIl to, re-
ooguize rights in, slavery Ase
wss the representatives of "a party
to every principle Of
Slavery willing that it shall be
said of as that We ree ognize ANY,
cight growing cat efSslayery q T:
believe not E believe 1t would.
little correspond with the professed !.
principles ofsany whte7member Of
this body to do So: Nor do I be-
1ieye Hwapld comport with the
dignity and sense Of justice Of any:
coiored man to. recognize that
rights for slaves do now, or ever
did legally exist. While T cannot:
agree: with my very enlightened
and accomplished friend : from
Charleston, who says he can never
forgive one who has bought, or
sold a slave, I do most heartily
agree with him as to the great
wrong of.slaNery and Itrust that
he will agree with me as to the
necessity of destroying now and
forever. every vestige of slavery,
and every semblanee Of a recogni=
ton of rights or obligations in
slavery Of whatever kind: The
opportunity is now afforded us>te
set aside sneh claims forever. L.
is said by some, let the Courts de-
eide this. But ! would reply that
the Conrts must decide according
to lao, and let US make a law by
which they may decide. We are
the representatives, direct from
the people, with the power to
make constitution and laws for
the people, and Courts to be gov
erned by; even more, to make the
Courts themselves. The Courts
are our creatures, and without sur
action they would have no exist
enee. s:ss.z,s,>.a +, -.