Year: 1862

The proposition Of the President, in his late
message, as an amendment to the Constitution
in relation 10 slavery differs very little from his
proposition of the 22d of September. In that
national aid was promised to those states which
would abolish slavery, but no time specified
WITHIN T-hh::cch the aboishment was to occur.-
In the iaIo proposition, ia the time 10 set and the
nation pledged TO pay the full value of the
slaves. 1t was not thought necessary TO change
the Constitution to render the first proposition
effectual. Congressional action was all that was
thought necessary.


But it is proposed to nincorporate the Sec
on6 proposition into the Constitution essential
ly changing that instrument in one Of its most
important features: lst. 1t would be a national
and constitutional admission that man may hold
property in his fellow man-an idea which our
fathers would not suffer to appear in our Con-
stitution even by implication. I'd. The term
slave would be introduced which was care
fully excluded by the trainers of that instru-
ment. And Sd. 1t would be constitutional
permission to any State to establish slavery and
hold slaves; for if any State after having abol-
ished slavery, may again tolerate or establish it
by paying back to the nation what it has receiv-
ed for having abolished it. Then what would
there be to prevent any State from establishing
it, though they might never have had slavery
beforeI In fact it would make eur Constitution
as pro-slavery as any of the lovers of slavery
would ask for Can we afford to make so wick
ed, so disgraceful and humiliating concession
as this to the slave power? And then, perhaps,
after having debased ourselves in the eyes of all
mankind, and destroyed the love and veneration
of our own people for our Constitution in order
TO make an offer of conciliation to rebel slave
holders in arms, have that offer spit upon and
our own humiliation made a by-word among
them Should an offer costing us so Eush, Be
made to the slave power, they might well think
we despaired of ever reducing them to obedi-
cnce, and that if they held out but few months
more, they might dictate their own terms to us.


Again; the long period thirty seven wears,
during which the offer stands good to any of
the slave states, ought to be considered This
period is thought necessary to mitigate or soften
the embarrassments and arrangements that
would occur by abolishng slavery. In the
border states, the deranged condition Of the slave
system occasions greater embarrassment and
loss, than could have occurred had slavery been
abolished at the commencement of the rebellion.
Then all parties would have known their status;
the slaves would have been faithful and indus
trious, having freedom and the prospect of wa
ges to stimulate them. Now all is uncertainty,
and desolation stares them in the face. The
slaves, on whom the agricultural prosperity OF
those states in great measure depends are no
ping by the incidents of the war to obtain their
freedom and hence feel more keenly the yoke





doubtless the control of the master over them is
much relaxed If freedom was Immediately gi-
ven to the slaves, and the hope of remuneration
held out to them, it scarcely be doubted that
the prospects of those states in almost every
particular would Immediately brighten. Slaves
are the natural enemies of the people who hold
them in bondage.


What is true of the border states, is also true
of any of the states now in rebellion. Taking
into the account the present condition of any OF
of all the slave states, it is difficult to nee how
any greater arrangement or embarrassment
could occur from the abolition of slavery in one
| year, than would occur by its abolishinent il
thirty years.


Again; does not justice and humanity require
that the slave should be encouraged and consolec
| by the hope of speedy deiverance, il such
hope can at all be presented to them? 1t can b,
but little consolation to the middle aged to thnl
of freedom thirty -seven years hence, and tho
young man of 80 will by that time have beer
robbed of all that part of his life which is valu-
able. Should slavery continue for 80, or ever
20 years, the changes in its favor may become
very great Thirty years ago there was scarce
ly a man of any note, either North or South
who held slavery TO be right. 1t was then con
sidered an evil to be regretted. But now it i
justified as divine, by most of the people South
and by many North.


The slaves will increase in number as tim
runs on, and our Heavenly Father, who is Just
holds us accountable for any delay that might b.
avoided, in doing justice to the oppressed of Hi
human family.


Itis well, probably, for our President to max
the proposition lie has, And let us as far as W
can hasten the period when we shall cease TO b
a nation of oppressors, and when, as a conse
quence, our national calamities will also cease
But let US never consent that our Constitution
} be changed in vavor of slavery.


j I. ]. CARLTON.