Cleveland Past and Present: Its Representative Men: Comprising Biographical Sketches of Pioneer Settlers and Prominent Citizens
History
Cleveland Past and Present: Its Representative Men: Comprising Biographical Sketches of Pioneer Settlers and Prominent Citizens
Cleveland (Ohio) -- Biography; Cleveland (Ohio) -- History
Those who insist upon preserving freedom in the Territories, have no
desire to disturb the institution of slavery in the States. The
Constitution confers upon them no such authority. They could not
interfere with it if they would, and they would not if they could. They
have ever heretofore been, and still are, ready strictly to fulfil the
constitutional provisions upon this subject.
I shall aim to discuss this question with a proper regard for the most
sensitive feelings of our brethren of the slave States, but also, sir,
with a plainness commensurate with its profound importance. The
legislatures of thirteen of the States of the Union, including Delaware,
which still has two thousand slaves, have passed resolutions instructing
their Senators and requesting their Representatives in Congress to
oppose any further extension of slavery. There is but one sentiment upon
this subject throughout the free States--it is that of eternal and
_uncompromising_ hostility to the project. They will never consent that
the free and virgin soil of the Territories shall be blighted and cursed
by the tears of the slave, while they have a will to determine, or a
muscle to resist.
The proposition to make this Government the instrument for planting
slavery upon soil now free, is regarded by a few at the North as so
improbable and monstrous, that they have refused to believe that it is
seriously entertained. Startling as the proposal is, it is nevertheless
true.
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Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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