In the Senate of the United States, he introduced many important bills--and opposed Clay’s Compromise--the amendatory fugitive slave law of 1850--and advocated the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. As a statesman and educated in a free state, he had none of that diffidence, timidity, and submission to slave-holding dictation so commonly witnessed among northern legislators in Congress, and before their constituents. The influence of slavery was felt in the education and lives of the people of the North-west. As race hatred was transplanted into Ohio in the early settlements, it soon became a political element that caused many odious and unchristian laws to be placed on the statute books, and enforced as vigorously against color as if made in the interests of slavery and bonded ignorance of the state. The first State Constitution of Ohio, adopted in 1802, in article 8, “That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized, and forever unalterably established, we declare”-- Sec. 1. “That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, among which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.” Sec. 2. “There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” Sec. 3. ... “That schools, and the means of instruction, shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision, not inconsistent with the rights of conscience.” Sec. 25. “That no law shall be passed to prevent the poor in the several counties and townships within this state from an equal participation in the schools, academies, colleges, and universities within this state, which are endowed, in whole or in part, from the revenue arising from the donations made by the United States for the support of schools and colleges; and the doors of the said schools, academies, and universities shall be open for the reception of scholars, students, and teachers of every grade, _without any distinction_ or preference whatever contrary to the intent for which the said donations were made.” Still the colored man, under no circumstances, excepting taxation, was recognized as a citizen. He was by Article IV of the Constitution of Ohio disfranchised by the word “white”--no other color could enjoy the rights of an elector. He was by law deprived of schools and means of instruction contrary to the spirit of the endowment as well as expressions of the constitution; and for more than forty years the colored population sojourned in a wilderness of freedom before it was discovered that manhood has rights all are bound to respect--one of which is the right of suffrage.