Webster, as chairman of the
committee. It set forth, first, the belief of its signers that Congress had
the constitutional power "to make such a prohibition a condition on the
admission of a new State into the Union, and that it is just and proper
that they should exercise that power." Then came an argument on the
constitutional question, and then the reasons for the exercise of the power
as a general policy. The first point was that it would prevent further
inequality of representation, such as existed under the Constitution in
the old States, but which could not be increased without danger. The next
argument went straight to the merits of the question, as involved in
slavery as a system. After pointing out the value of the ordinance of 1787
to the Northwest, the memorial continued:--
"We appeal to the justice and the wisdom of the national councils
to prevent the further progress of a great and serious evil. We
appeal to those who look forward to the remote consequences of
their measures, and who cannot balance a temporary or trifling
convenience, if there were such, against a permanent growing and
desolating evil.
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