Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/225

TOOMBS you, as equals in this great Confederacy, to enjoy the common property of the whole Union, and receive the protection of the common govern- ment, until the Territory is capable of coming into the Union as a sovereign State, when it may fix its own institutions to suit itself. The second proposition is, that property in slaves shall be entitled to the same protection from the government of the United States, in all of its departments, everywhere, which the Constitution confers the power upon it to ex- tend to any other property, provided nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit or restrain the right now belonging to every State to prohibit, abolish, or establish and protect slavery within its limits." We demand of the common government to use its granted powers to protect our property as well as yours. For this protection we pay as much as you do. This very property is subject to taxation. It has been taxed by you and sold by you for taxes. The title to thousands and tens of thousands of slaves is derived from the United States. We claim that the government, while the Constitu- tion recognizes our property for the purposes of taxation, shall give it the same protection that it gives yours. Ought it not to be so? You say no. Every one of you upon the committee said no. Your senators say no. Your House of Representa- tives says no. Throughout the length and breadth of your conspiracy against the Con- 215