|
|
|
64
legiance to the Government, on an assumed condition of hos-
tility in the legislation of the State to the Government of the
United States.
The undersigned also dissent from the adoption of the 23rd
Article, as proposed in the majority report, believing it to
contemplate a sudden, violent and most mischievous destruc-
tion of the relation of master and slave, which, commencing
with the earliest history of the Colony, has been maintained
during all the intervening period, with the regular and pro-
gressive advancement of the State in all that is useful and
honorable, and with a conviction of its usefulness and pro-
priety on the part of our citizens, so deeply and universally
felt, that they have carefully prohibited by their Constitu-
tions, as well that of 1776 as that of 1851, any interference
with this relation, the rupture of which is now recommended
by the majority of the Committee, without the slightest pre-
paration on the part of either master or slave for the extreme
change of condition so instantaneously precipitated upon
them, inflicting upon each very serious and unnecessary in-
jury and suffering, and particularly upon the slaves, and, in
the absence of compensation, iniquitous and unjust in the ex-
treme to the master.
There are some minor alterations, the necessity for which
was not perceived by the undersigned, find which of choice
they would not have made, but which are not deemed of suf-
ficient importance to require especial notice.
E. F. CHAMBERS,
EDWARD W. BELT,
GEO. W. MORGAN.
On motion of Mr. Stirling,
The said reports were made the order of the day for Thurs-
day next, at one o'clock.
Messrs. Blackiston, Valliant and Hollyday were excused
from attending the session of the Convention to-morrow.
The Convention adjourned.
|
|
|
|
 |
