the colored population of our country. This General Assembly can not for a moment entertain the belief that slavery, which is undoubtedly our greatest national sin, has been the consequence of any particular State regulation, or that it ought to be viewed as a local, and not a general misfortune; the curse is upon us all, and it is now vain and useless to inquire by what means it was first introduced. The States, in the adoption of the federal compact, recognize slavery among the existing order of things, by declaring that Congress should not prohibit the migration to, or importation of, any person into any of the States then existing, as they should think proper, prior to the year 1808; and also by further declaring that no person held to service or labor in any State, under the laws thereof, should, by escaping into any other State, be discharged from such service or labor, in consequence of any law or regulation therein; but should be delivered up on the claim of the party to whom such labor or service was due.

Although Ohio is emphatically a free State, whose territory and climate have never been contaminated by the withering influence of slavery; nor has the cultivation or improvement of her soil been extorted from the unwilling hand of the laborer-yet we disclaim all right to interfere between the slave and his owner in a political view of the subject, nor will we inquire into the policy or justice of the laws of our sister States, which acknowledge the existence of slavery. It is sufficient for the citizens of Ohio to know that any portion of the human family are suffering from the existence of slavery or any other cause, to induce them to lend their aid as far as the dictates of prudence and humanity shall require, without stopping to examine whether they are under any legal or Constitutional obligation to do so.

This General Assembly are not insensible to the horror and heart-rending scenes that must ensue from servile

war waged by the colored population of our country, and should it by any possibility prove successful in the slaveholding States, that the peace of our own firesides, and the repose of our citizens would soon be assailed by the fell destroyer. Such war could admit of no prelude, it would not be a war of conquest, but of extermination of one or the other race, including all ages, sexes and conditions. This General Assembly believe that no man, who reflects seriously on the subject, can entertain the idea that domestic slavery, in this country, under the influence of our free institutions, can be perpetual; but that the time is not far in advance when it must terminate, either by the terrible scourge of insurrection, or by the wisdom, justice and liberality of our people.

To preserve this favored land from the punishment which justice demands for this, her National sin, Providence in the Colonization Society, has opened to us a door of hope. To the oppressed it is the pillar of fire and the cloud that leads to the land of their fathers; and it has begun the good work in our own land, and laid the foundation of a system which, if its operations could be commensurate to the object, would not only free our country from the alarming crisis to which she seems fast hastening, but would also restore to the indubitable rights of man and the country of their fathers, the long oppressed sons of Africa. And we believe that not only justice, duty and the honor of our people, demand that we should lend a helping hand to assist that society in the great undertaking; but that the safety and prosperity of our country, imperiously require that the government of the United States should take the subject under their consideration, and afford such additional aid as may be in its power.

It is hoped and sincerely believed, that the opinion of this General Assembly, on the difficult and important question of freeing our country from its colored population, will not be considered as obtrusive, but received with

the same spirit of affection and regard with which it is offered.

All must be aware of the need of an early attention to this matter, and that time will be necessary for its completion; and although we have been aroused to reflection by scenes shocking to humanity, yet it is a melancholy pleasure that it has been at a time well suited to the benevolent exertions of our fellow citizens. Our country is at peace with foreign powers, and her resources commensurate with the object to be attained.

It is, therefore, seriously recommended to this people, as well as the government of the United States, whether it is not worthy of the attention of Congress, as well as the different State legislatures, to extend their care and fostering hand to the benevolent efforts of the Colonization Society, by affording pecuniary supplies and the means of transportation, to all free persons of color who are willing to emigrate to Liberia. This would not only be an act of naked justice to this long oppressed race of men, but seems to be required as the only means of preventing the shedding of human blood, and as a necessary measure for the security of ourselves and our posterity.

Resolved, therefore, That the benevolent exertions of the American Colonization Society are entitled to the approbation of the government and people of the United States; and that our Senators and Representatives are requested to use their influence to bring this question to the attention of Congress, and to prevail upon that body to adopt such measures as may be within their Constitutional powers, for the removal of the colored population from the several States in the Union, and their settlement in Liberia.

Resolved, That should Congress doubt their power to make appropriations of money from the national treasury for that purpose, it is recommended that the Constitution of the United States be so amended as to give such power.

Resolved, That we recommend to the citizens of this State to form Colonization Societies in their different settlements and neighborhoods, and make such yearly contributions as may reasonably be within their power in aid of the parent society

Resolved, That the Governor pay out of his contingent fund the sum of one thousand dollars, to aid the Colonization Society to remove to Liberia any persons of color now residents of this State, and who shall apply to the Governor and obtain his certificate for that purpose, until the amount shall be expended according to the rules and regulations of the Society.

Resolved, That it is hereby recommended to the colored male population residing in this State, to meet in their respective settlements or neighborhoods, and choose one or more of their number to meet in convention at Columbus, on the fourth day of July next, for the purpose of selecting some person of color to go to Liberia, to examine the country, and to report to them on his return, its advantages or disadvantages as a place of settlement for the colored people, with such other facts as he may be instructed to inquire into by the Colonization Society; and should such person be so selected as shall be approved by the Governor, his expenses shall be paid out of the Governor's contingent fund; and that such person proceed to Liberia and return, under the order and protection of the American Colonization Society.

CHAPTER IX.

His Radical Democracy-Learned from the Bible and the Teachers in the Democratic School-Not a Bigoted Partisan-Earnest Advocate of the Doctrines of True Democracy-His Popularity-Tendered the Nomination of United States Senator in 1826-Elected Senator in Congress in 1832-His Election Greeted with Enthusiasm-Letter of Judge Reuben Wood-Resolution against the United States Bank-Letter from Washington City.

THE political creed of Thomas Morris was radically Democratic. True Democracy is the creation of a true Christianity, and shields the rights and interests of every man. "It is a sentiment not to be appalled, corrupted, nor compromised. It knows no baseness; it cowers to no danger; it oppresses no weakness. Fearless, generous and humane, it rebukes arrogance, cherishes honor, and sympathizes with the humble. It is a sentiment of freedom, of equal rights, of equal obligations. It is the law of nature and of the Bible pervading the law of the land." In the application of its doctrines, and in its progress and achievements, it will consecrate forever to freedom, the soil of every country, and "unbind every burden, preach deliverance to every captive, and let the oppressed of all nations go free."

It was with the true Democracy that Thomas Morris was in principle, in every impulse and effort of his life identified. He received his first lessons in the home-school of his mother, and in youth and manhood, from those who were regarded as the oracles and apostles of Democracy. He was a disciple in the Jeffersonian school of politics. In 1829, he said "in the election of Mr. Jefferson, we have