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recteQ by JEFFERSON ana MdQlSOns WAGON ana


Crawford.


Is it possible that instances of greater vanity
and presumption could be exhibited But the
course pursued by the emancipatorS is uncon-
Stitutional. do not say that there are any


words in the constitution which fofbids the dis.
cussions they are engaged in know there are


not And there IS even an article which Sc
cures to the citizens the right TO express and


publish their opinions without restriction. But


in the construction of the constitution, it is al
ways necessary to refer 10 the circumstances


under which ii was framed, and TO ascertain its


meaning by a comparison of its provisions with
each other, and with the previous situation of
the several States who were parties TO it, In


portion Of these slavery was recognized, and
they took care to have the right secured them,
to follow and reclaim such OF them as were flu
gitives to other States. The laws of Congress
passed under this power have provided punish


ment to any who shall oppose or interrupt the
exercise ofthis right. Now can any one be-
lieve that the instrument which contains pre-
vision of this kind, which authorizes master
to pursue his slave into another State, take him


back, and provides punishment for any citi-
zen or citizens Of that State who oppose him,


should at the same time, authorize the latter to
assemble together, to pass resolutions and adopt


addresses, not only to encourage the slaves 10


leave their masters, but to cut their thToats be-


fore they do sol


insist that if the citizens of the non-slave-


holding States can avail themselves Of the arti-
Gle of the constitution, which prohibits The re-
striction Of speech or 10 publish any thing iniu-


rious TO the rights of the slave-hodln9 States


that they can go the extreme that have men-
toned and affect any thing further which wri-
ting or speaking could affect. But, fellow-citi-


zens, those are not the principles Of the consti-
tuition. Such construction would defeat one
oflhe great objects of its formation, which was
that Of securing the peace and harmony oil the
States which were parties to it. The liberty Of
speech and Of the press were given as the most
effectual means to preserve each and every cti-
zen their own rights and to the States The rights
which apperained to them, at the time of their
adoption It could never have been expected
that ii would be used by citizens of one portion


of the States for the purpose OF deprlvlng those
OF another portion, OF the rights which they had


reserved at the adoption of the constitution, and


in the exercise of which none but themselves
have any concern or interest. If slavery is an
evil, the evil is with them. Ifthere is guilt in
it, the guilt is theirs, not ours; since neither OF
the States where it does not exist, nor the gov
| ernment ofthe United States can, withoutuSur-
patton of power and the violation Of solemn
compact, do any thing TO remove it without the


consent Of those who are Immediately interested


But they will neither ask for aid, nor consent to


be aided whilst the illegal, prosecuting and dan
gerous movements are in progress, OF which
complain the interest of all concerned requires


that these should be stopped Immediately This


can only be done by the force Of public opinion


and that cannot too soon be brought into opera
tion. Every movement which is made By the
Aboitionists in the non-slaveholding States, j:
viewed by our Southern brethren as an attach
upon their rights, and which, df persisted IN,
must in the end eradicate those feelings OF at


tachment and affection between the citizens Of


all the States which was produced by com


munity of interests and dangers in the War OF


the Revolution, which was the foundation Of


our happy union, and by continuance of which
| il can alone be preserved. / entreat you then,
! frown upon the measures which are to produce


results so much to be deprecated. The opinions
which | have now given, have omitted no OPP


poitunity for the last years TO lay b fore the
people Of my own State. have taken the II
berry TO express them here, knowing that even
lif they should unfortunately not accord with
yours that they would be kindly received.