Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-09-27

10 this view oil the subject, as their clear
and indispensable duty"
And why have so many years elapsed
without any systematic approach to that
happy change in the structure of Colo
NAL society, which was SO generally ex-
pected TO follow The abolition of the slave
trade Is it not because the circum-
stances Of the planters have not yet bcen
such as 10 compel them TO introduce
those subordinate arrangements" hose
ameliora,ing regulations" adopted by
the ancient states, and teudal kingdoms
OF Europe But the time is probably at
hand, when necessity will force them to
adopt the most economical mode OF cul-
lure, however ayerse to change and in
noyatlon. The nation will not long con-
sent to support wasteful system of cul
'ivation, at The expense Of great nalona'
interests, and with an opening commerce
with 80 To 100 millions OF our flow-sub-
jects; and the slave-iabor of the West
mus, fall, when brought into competi-
ton with the free labor Of the East.
Deeply impressed with this conviction,
l dwell with peculiar pleasure on eve
ry view OF this important subject, which
| illustrates the connection between the
! interest of the master and the slave. Ana
| having had near view OF slavery in die
| United States of America, having seen
the dark aspect which it assumes, and
| the appre tensions which il difiuses I'M
der government -emincnIly free, in
The bosom oil an enlightened people, and
IN the sunshine OF benign and liberal
institutions, | am persuaded that such a
system cannot exis, long, in daily con-
(rast with the enlightened policy of the
new republics OF the West, and under
the brighter light which the diffusion OF
the gospel is shedding over the globe.
| reIoice, therefore, in the conclusion,
| that the same measures-the miti. alton
are best calculated 10 avert crisis which
it is impossible to contemplate without
dismay, are precisely those which, il
would appear from The preceding pages
are most adapted to promote the lmme-
diate interest OF the planters by diminish
ing the expenses, and increasing the pro-
duce of their estates.
Thai the removal of the monopoly
which they at present enjoy, will enhance
The distress OF the Wesl India planters,
II is Impossible to doubt; and the dis
tress oil so numerous body, comprising
some al The most enlightened aud esli-
mable members of the community, de-
serves serious and dispasslonale con-
slderation. That sympathy is unnatural,
which is excited only Tor sufferers at a
distance, and that sensiblny detective
which AN feel only for the slave. Blu
II is the part OF an enlightened icglsia-
tor, when endeavoring TO relieve one
| class OF the community, TO guard against
the injustice OF transferring he burden
10 another; and 10 require from thost
| who solicit his interference, not only
that they make out a strong case ot dis
trcss, but 'ha, they prove that they arc
vigorously pursuing every means within
their power, % eXtrlcate themselves
from the difficulties OF helr situation.
Il is on these grounds, and Dot on an,
vague idea, that Parliament Is pledged
TO supper. them, thai HE West Indians
should rest their claims. Even with
respect TO the absolute prohibition of
trade which Parliament had encouraged,
Mr.. Pin repealed the idea OF The Legis-
iature's being restrained by reference
TO the past, from exercising its free dis
cretion with regard to the future. With
how much greater warmth would me
have rejected such an assumption, IN the
case OF protecting duty, which ell
courages system oil cultivation unne-
cessarily expensive, which acts like an
oppressive tax Oh the export oil our ma
nuiactures, and which operates with a
most malignant and widely extended
Influence on the industry, energy, and re-
sources of our Indian Empire. HI OBJ
serves, g II is chiefly on the presumed
ground OF our being bound by a parlia-
mentary sanction, heretofore given to
the African slaye-irade, that this argu-
ment against the abolition is rested. Is
there any one regulation OF any part oil
our commerce, which # this argument
be valid may no, equally be objected TO
on the ground otis affecting some mans
patrimony, some mans property, or
some mans expectations. Let it never
he forgotten that the argument | am
canvassing, would be jus, as strong, if
the possession affected were small, and
The possessors humble; for on every
principle o! justice, the property Of eve
ry single individual, or number OF indj-
viduaIs, is as sacred az that Of the great
hohv of West Indians II ia scarrelv