Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17

and nobody can hear that slaves are
now sold in the markets of Washing
ton, beneath the eye OF the President.
without confessing the scandal to
liberal institutions. For the sake of
our good name, IL not for the sake Of
justice. let the scandal disappear.
I'm early discussions Of this ques-
ton there were many topics intro
duced which now command little
attention. It was part of the tactics
of slavery to claim, immunity. In.
deed, without such immunity 1t had
small chance Of continued existence.
Such a wrong, so utterly outra geous,
could find safety only when it was
protected from inquiry. Therefore
slavemasters always insisted that pc.
titions against its existence at the
National Capital were not to be re.
ceived; that 1t was unconstitutional
to touch it even here within the
exclusive Jurisdiction Of Congress and
that il 1t were touched here it should
be only under the auspices of the
neighboring States of Virginia and
Maryland. Whatever may be
the opinions of individual Senators.
the judgment Of the country is fixed.
ut is urged that since there can
be no such thing as property in man,
especially within the exclusive juris-
diction of Congress, therefore all now
held as slaves at the National Capital
are justly entitled to freedom, with
out price or compensation of any kind
to their masters; or, at least, that any
money paid should be distributed ac-
cording to an account stated between
masters and slaves. OF course, IL the
question were determined according to
divine justice, so far as we are per.
mitted to look in that direction, 1t
is obvious that nothing can be due
to the masters, and that any money
paid belongs rather to the slaves who
for generations have been despoiled of
every right and possession. But IL we
undertake to audit this fearful ac-
count, pray, what sum shall be al
lowed for the prolonged torments Of
the lash? What treasure shall be
voted to the slave for wife ravished
from his side, for children stolen, for
knowledge shut out. and for all the
fruits of labor wrested from him and
his fathers? 1t is impossible.
Testimony and eloquence have
both been accumulated against
slavery; but on this occasion / shall
confine myself to the argument for
the ransom of slaves at the National
Capital, although such is slavery that
it is impossible to consider It in any
single aspect without confronting its
whole many.sided wickedness.
ut may be said that whether
slavery has constitutional existence in
the District of Columbia. nevertheless
it exists. True, it exists as q mon
strous fact; but it is none the less
important to consider It's origin, that
we may understand how. assuming
the form of law, 1t was able to shell
ter itself beneath the protecting shield
Of the Constitution"
y
CHARLES SUMMER took UP the
~ argument Of Senator Pomeroy, re-
peated in a recent rambie, that there
was no legal foundation for slavery
in the District Of Columbia. Mr..
Sumner held with Pomeroy that
slavery had never been legal In the
District.
Mr.. Sumner quoted from William
Pinkney of Maryland--from speech
by Pinkney before the Maryland
House of Delegates, this: Sir, by the
eternal principles OF natural justice,
no master in the State has . right
to hold his slaves In bondage for q
single hour" He quoted from Henry
Brougham, speaking in the British
Parliament. this: "Tell me not OF