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第5章

new york-第5章

小说: new york 字数: 每页4000字

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impute to any particular district the right to destroy or

mutilate a system regulated with so much care。



The only manner in which the right of secession could exist in

one of the American States; would be by an express reservation to

that effect; in the Constitution。 There is no such clause; did it

exist it would change the whole character of the Government;

rendering it a mere alliance; instead of being that which it now

isa lasting Union。 But; whatever may be the legal principles

connected with this serious subject; there always exists; in

large bodies of men; a power to change their institutions by

means of the strong hand。 This is termed the right of revolution;

and it has often been appealed to to redress grievances that

could be removed by no other agency。 It is undeniable that the

institution of domestic slavery as it now exists in what are

termed the Southern and South…Western States of this country;

creates an interest of the most delicate and sensitive character。

Nearly one half of the entire property of the slave…holding

States consists in this right to the services of human beings of

a race so different from our own as to render any amalgamation to

the last degree improbable; if not impossible。 Any one may easily

estimate the deep interest that the masters feel in the

preservation of their property。 The spirit of the age is

decidedly against them; and of this they must be sensible; it

doubly augments their anxiety for the future。 The natural

increase; moreover; of these human chattels renders an outlet

indispensable; or they will soon cease to be profitable by the

excess of their numbers。 To these facts we owe the figments which

have rendered the Southern school of logicians a little

presuming; perhaps; and certainly very sophistical。 Among other

theories we find the bold one; that the Territories of the United

States are the property; not of the several States; but of their

individual people; in other words; that the native of New York or

Rhode Island; regardless of the laws of the country; has a right

to remove to any one of these Territories; carry with him just

such property as he may see fit; and make such use of it as he

may find convenient。 This is a novel co…partnership in

jurisdiction; to say the least; and really does not seem worthy

of a serious reply。



The territory of the United States is strictly subject to the

Government。 The only clause in the Constitution which refers to

this interest conveys that meaning。 But; were the instrument

silent; the power would remain the same。 Sovereignty of this

nature is not determined by municipal law; but by the law of

nations。 Thus; for instance; the right to make war; which is

inherent in every state of FOREIGN RELATIONS; infers the right to

secure its conquests; and that clause of the Constitution which

declares that the war…making power shall abide in Congress; says;

at the same time; by an unavoidable implication; that the

national legislature shall have all authority to control the

consequences of this war。 It may dispose of its prisoners and its

conquests according to its own views of policy and justice;

subject only to the great principles that modern civilization has

introduced into public concerns。



One can understand why a different theory is in favor at the

South。 It would be very convenient; no doubt; to the slaveholder

to be permitted to transfer his slaves to the gold diggings; and

gather the precious metal in lieu of a crop of cotton。 But this;

the policy of the whole country forbids。 Congress has very justly

left the decision of this very important matter to the people of

California itself; and they have almost unanimously raised their

voices against the measure。 This; after all; is the really sore

point in controversy between the South and the North。 The

fugitive slave has been; and will be given up to the legal claims

of his master; and; in a vast majority of the people of the

North; there is no disposition to disturb the legislative

compromise that has been made of this matter。 It is true that the

North still owes the South a great deal more; though it may be

questioned if the machinations of demagogues and the ravings of

fanaticism will permit it to discharge the obligation。 Penal laws

should be passed; punishing those who meddle with this grave

interest out of the limits of the State in which the parties

reside; and energy should be shown in rendering such an act of

justice effective and sure。 Good…neighborhood; alone; would exact

some such provision from every well…disposed community; and there

cannot be a doubt that good policy coincides。 The abolitionists;

beyond a dispute; have only had a tendency to rivet the fetters

of the slave; and to destroy the peace of the country。

Emancipation has not been extended a single foot by any of their

projects; while the whole South has been thrown into an attitude

of hostile defiance; not only towards these misguided persons;

but to their innocent and disgusted fellow…citizens。 There might

be a hope that the well…intentioned portion of these people; and

it is both numerous and respectable; could be induced to adopt a

wiser mode of procedure; were it not that dissolute politicians;

who care only for the success of parties; and who make a

stalking…horse of philanthropy; as they would of religion or

patriotism; or any other extended feeling that happened to come

within their influence; interpose their sinister schemes to keep

agitation alive for their benefit。 This; then; is the actual

state of things; as between the North and the South; and we will

take a hasty view of its probable consequences on the growth and

commerce of the towns at the mouth of the Hudson。



{California = California; newly conquered from Mexico and where

gold had been discovered in 1848; had in 1849 adopted a

Constitution banning slavery; at the same time that it applied

for admission to the Union as a free State; it was admitted in

1850 as part of the so…called Compromise of 1850; which included

the Fugitive Slave Act empowering the Federal Government to seize

and return slaves fleeing from slave to free States}



It is undeniable that any serious derangement of the political

institutions of the country; would produce a very injurious

effect on its prosperity generally; and perhaps in its immediate

influence; primarily on its commerce。 But the first reverses of

such a calamity overcome; we do not see reason for believing that

the well…established principle; that trade will make its own

laws; should not apply to these towns as well as to any other

place known in the history of the world。 New York; as has already

been intimated; at this moment contributes quite as much to the

prosperity of London; as it would probably have done had the

political connection between England and her colonies never been

severed。 Making allowances for the greater prosperity induced by

the political independence of America; it is not improbable that

she even contributes more。 Society and trade enact their own

laws。 The first is found to be mainly independent of the

influence of political power; and the same; with certain

qualifications; may be said to be equally true of the last。



But we see little to apprehend from this source of danger。 If the

slave…holding interest would be rendered really more secure by

separation or secession; then; indeed; such a result might be

looked for with some degree of confidence。 But it is very certain

that the measure would lead to an escape of most of the slaves

near the northern frontiers of the Southern Confederacy; as well

as of a vast number of those who live at a greater distance from

what would probably be the dividing line。 The North has been

aroused to the necessity of being just; and of adhering to the

conditions of the Constitution; and the recent measures of the

country go to prove there is no real disposition; in the masses;

to do 

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