The Question of Negro Slavery and the New Constitution of Kentucky. By ROBERT J. BRECKINRIDGE, D.D. PRINCETON REVIEW, October, 1849.
The legislature of Kentucky having submitted the question to the people whether a convention should be called to revise the constitution of the State, and the people having decided that question in the affirmative, the character of that convention became a matter of absorbing interest to the inhabitants of that important commonwealth. The point about which the people were most divided, and to which public attention was principally directed, was negro slavery. The question in debate was, What provision shall be engrafted in the new constitution in relation to that subject? Shall the constitution make provision for the permanent existence and indefinite increase of slavery? or shall it prohibit the introduction of slaves from abroad, and provide for the gradual emancipation of those already within the borders of the State, or at least leave the subject open for the action of the legislature and of the people, untrammelled by any constitutional provisions? The question at issue was no less than this, Whether Kentucky was to remain for an indefinite period a slaveholding State, or whether it was to be allowed to take its place among the free commonwealths of this great confederation. This is a momentous question, involving the interests, for generations, of the State itself, and affecting in no small measure the whole Union. No wonder, therefore, that the public mind in Kentucky was deeply agitated by this discussion, and no wonder that the eyes of the whole country watched the progress of the struggle with the liveliest interest. For months previous to the election of members of the convention to frame a new constitution, the press teemed with arguments and appeals, public lecturers and orators traveled over the State to address the people, and county and State conventions were held to embody and express the sentiments of the contending parties.
In Fayette county, including the city of Lexington, and embracing a larger number of extensive slave-owners than almost any other county of the State, a convention was held on the 14th of April last. “The object of the meeting having been explained in a few eloquent remarks by the Hon. Henry Clay and Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, on motion of the latter gentleman, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 1st, That this meeting, composed of citizens of the county of Fayette, met in pursuance of public notice, to consider the question of the perpetuation of slavery in this commonwealth, considering that hereditary slavery as it exists amongst us,
I. Is contrary to the natural rights of mankind;
II. Is opposed to the fundamental principles of free government;
III. Is inconsistent with a state of sound morality;
IV. Is hostile to the prosperity of the commonwealth;
We are therefore of opinion, that it ought not to be made perpetual, and that the convention about to meet to amend the constitution of this State affords a proper occasion, on which steps should be taken to ameliorate the condition of slavery, in such a way as shall be found practicable in itself, just as it regards the masters of slaves, and beneficial to the slaves themselves.
2d. That in order to concert with those who agree with us, throughout the State, a plan of action suitable to be adopted on this occasion, and to agree with them upon a common platform of principles, this meeting appoints the following citizens, and recommends as many others as are of similar sentiments and can conveniently attend, to meet at Frankfort on the 25th inst., delegates from other parts of the State, similarly appointed, for the purpose herein expressed.” Then follow the names of thirty gentlemen appointed as delegates to the State convention.
When the convention met at Frankfort, the Rev. Dr. R. J. Breckinridge submitted a document, which after being amended with his concurrence, was adopted, and is as follows: viz.
“This convention, composed of citizens of the commonwealth of Kentucky, and representing the opinions and wishes of a large number of our fellow-citizens throughout the commonwealth, met in the capitol on the 25th of April, 1849, to consider what course it becomes those who are opposed to the increase and to the perpetuity of slavery in this State to pursue in the approaching canvass for members of the convention, called to amend the constitution, adopts the propositions which follow, as expressing its judgment in the premises:
“1. Believing that involuntary hereditary slavery, as it exists by law in this State, is injurious to the prosperity of the commonwealth, inconsistent with the fundamental principles of free government, contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and injurious to a pure state of morals, we are of opinion that it ought not to be increased, and that it ought not to be perpetuated in this commonwealth.