Rhode Island Republican

Speech of Gen. STANTON, on the motion made in Congress for laying a tax on all Slaves imported into the U.S.

MR. Speaker, I am highly gratified to find all hon. members in every part of the House who reprobate the infamous traffic of buying and selling the human species. On this occasion but few remarks are necessary. If morality, humanity and justice are conducive to the happiness of society; it is not my duty nor intention to criminate the State of South Carolina, whose late conduct has created serious and well founded alarm. It is a duty I owe to my constituents and to myself, not to connive at a measure, that in my humble opinion, goes to make the Pillars of public security, and threatened corruption to the morals of our citizens, and tarnishes the American character. Sir, while I deprecate the repeal of the non-importation act of S. Carolina. I console myself with the pleasing expectation, that the State will retract the error they have recently, and unguardedly fallen into, and I cannot doubt but the hon. members from that State on this floor will lend their aid to effect so desirable a measure to reenact the prohibitory Statute. We are told if the House adopt the resolution it will irritate S. Carolina notwithstanding the opposers of the resolution involves the conduct of S. Carolina. I wish not to offend any of our sister States, much less that important State, whose wisdom, virtue and patriotism has been conspicuous on every other occasion. The opposers of the resolution inform us, its adoption will both encourage and sanction the importation, and that they have a constitutional right to import until 1808. I grant it, but I hope better things of that State, and things that accompany reformation. She has recently, with other States emancipated herself from tyranny and oppression; and will she sully her fair fame, by commencing tyrant herself? Sir, the speaker from the State of S. Carolina, and particularly the hon. member who offered a resolution as a substitute to the one under consideration, delivered himself in sentiments of the most admirable humanity and constitutional love and zeal for his country, and if he were a member from any other State in the Union, I should have the honor, I make no doubt, of voting with him for the resolution on your table. Sir, I am enabled the general government cannot prohibit this traffic previous to the year 1808; this is one of those humiliating concessions, made by that venerable convention who framed the constitution, and we are bound by it. I ask, is the policy of the measure, embraced by the resolution, sound? I believe it is, I consider Slaves a luxury, they are considered by the constitution 3/5ths of them to give a Representative, and I ask why not tax them. It's a sound maxim, that representation and taxation should go hand in hand; to lay a tax being the only constitutional power the general government possesses-I think it good policy to exercise it--it's the opinion of Some gentlemen, and the hon. gentleman before me whose sound judgment and correctness, I highly approve on most occasions, considers the tax of little consideration in point of revenue. I beg leave to differ with him, when I take into consideration the wish of many influential characters, to migrate to our new acquired territory, and carry with them slaves almost without number: We may fairly calculate that the probable number imported will be not less than 100,000 a year for four years, will bring a revenue of four millions of dollars; the Sum may be appropriated to remunerate the veteran, war worn old soldier, that is now languishing in misery, and whose just claim is barred by an act of limitation. I beg pardon of the House for this deviation from the subject under consideration-While I am up I beg the indulgence of the House to permit me to relate to the House what I beheld on the road to the seat of government, 20 or 30 negroes chained to each other and drove like mules to market; I asked the gentleman who appeared to have charge of them, if they were criminals, he answered with a smile, No Sir, they have been sold. Sir, this awful sight gave me such sensations and emotions, that it is painful to relate, and not easily described; Sir, if I have been compelled in the discharge of the duty I owe to society and my constituents in the remarks, that wound the feelings of any hon. member who may differ with me in sentiment, I regret it much, as I am conscious it was far from my intention, I shall give my vote for the resolution.

The State of Rhode Island from whence I come, passed a law declaring negro children born posterior to 1784, as free as white children. Mr. Speaker, I mention this Statute merely to obviate the erroneous impression, that otherwise might be made with a view to mislead the public mind, that the citizens of Rhode-Island are disposed to favor the villainous traffic; I wish not to aggrandize, but I can assure the House this traffic has been abhorrent to me upwards of 40 years, and if I should live to see 1808, that auspicious period in our national compact shall be exonerated from that tragic feature that has cast a shade on that valuable instrument; if the important acquisition of Louisiana gave ample cause for festivity, till greater cause Shall we have when the glorious period shall arrive of 1808, that shall be my jubilee.