Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-06-19

liSDkbAi VI oui llpt1N1Iai QluOll3 Vi CIoC
to remove every barrier to the unlimited
extension of this deba5 class of society.
We pretend not, at this time, to antici-
pate the result of it, but we cannot sup
press the deep solicitude we feel to see
every portion of the American popula-
ton agree in putting limits to an evil big
with such future mischief to the coun-
try.
There can be little doubt, we think,
that the slave population will extend in
proportion to the limits of the territory
in which it is tolerated. The adjacent
wilderness will soon become peopled,
and is there really question among any
portion ofthe American people, whether
the public interest would not be promot-
ed in having the whole population Of
such new states free, rather than having
a part in bondage? If it were a question
of interest alone, we believe public
opinion even III Che siaVo states would
answer the question atoncc, and decided
ly in favor of liberty. But is there no
other consideration than one ofmore po-
Icy! Is principle, is regard to the
character Of our political Institutions, no.
thing! We have always viewed with
favorable eye the proceedings of the
southern states in regard to their slaves.
As the evil has been SO firmly grated ON
their politicalsystems,we conscientiously
believe them unable to remove it. A
general emancipation of their blacks
would be no less an evil to themselves
than to their owners. 1t would give rise
| to state OF things which would endanger
| the order and almost the existence of So
ciety. Even principle and close re-
gard to the dictates of duty, require them
| to be cautious in the work of emancipa-
ton. But when the restriction is equally
polite and practicable, we think the prin-
ciples ofreligion, of political liberty and
moral honesty, alike forbid in the most
imperative terms any reluctance to
adopt it. To admit slavery into the
new states is only to augment in the
same proportion our whole slave popu-
lation--to engraft an lnveterate and
dangerous disease on the vital growth of
their own prosperity. Can the restric-
|
sent shareholders Where is the indivi-
dual Wlo will feel his danger from such
cause augmented Will his own
slaves be kept more submissive by
knowledge that there is in aneighboring
state, not a free population determined
to preserve subordination to the laws,
but a faiSed pnptiaicn, one ps.i1 cE
which is rendered ever watchful and in
secure from the alarm excited by the
other! Is such a restriction an act Of
| injustice to the present Shareholders
What use of their property is denied,
what tenure OF its security is removed
Every thing guaranteed by the letter of
the constitution, every thing deemed
sacred by its spirit, is preserved inviolate.
What would be taken from them but
a chance of obtaining greater price, by
augmenting the competition for their
purchase--by extending the sphere Of
their sale? Is SO tremendous an evil to
be engrafted on this great and happy ma
ton, an evil which wars with the autho-
rity of the Deity, and the fundamental
principles of our government, merely
to give new profits to the Spectator in
human flesh Will they complain be-
cause new market is not opened to their
unhallowed enterprise AS we'll might
they complain that the government of
France or England do not suffer them to
, extend the sphere of their traffic to the
markets OF Paris or London.
The subject we deem of more real
importance to the nation than any which
has been discussed since the adoption of
the constitution. 1t is intimately blend
ed with the liberty and durability of the
republic. Like Mr.. Fuller, we think so
far as slavery is tolerated here, there is
departure from our republican system.
God forbid that the vested rights of
slave-holding states should be infringed
upon, but we think every real friend to
American liberty is called upon to for
bid the extension of the system. Never
may it become question of local differ
enee. We know indeed the northern
states are profoundly averse to any in--
crease of the evil, but it is not from this
quarter we hope and expect the greatest
opposition to it. 1t is from the foresight,
the patriotism, the deep and consistent
attachment to liberty in all its forms and
notifications, which we have often seen
evinced by our southern brethren, that
we expect the most jealous and mag
unanimous efforts to limit the evil most
interesting to themselves.
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