Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-05-04
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
NO. Ill
Mn pRTNTrR,


Mn PRINTER,
| have lusl read Brissot's labored de-
fence OF Slavery in your paper OF April
Is. The writer has begged all the prin-
tiers in The state TO publish his produc-
tlon but whether This proceeded from a
belief that it was mastery argument,
and calculated TO make converts OF all
who might read it, or from conviction
that it was so utterly destitute oil merit
that no printer would publish ii without
a special request from The author, am
unable TO determine.
Brissot, like all other advocates of
slavery, runs al once into Inconsistency.
He says, i" Il is true, fellow citizens, that
the first introduction of negro slavery
into these United States, was an error in
its adoption, which will ever be lament
ed by the friends of humanity; but II is
an evil from which we cannot at present
extrica,e ourselves, and il is one that had
better lin my humble opioioo) be ex-
tended to the whole than confined 10 a
small scope Of country"
| Here we are told that the Introduction
Of slavery into The United States was an
error; yet Bfissot appears to think that
il would be no error to introduce il into
/ this state. Those who first introduced
/ slavery into the United States. had The
same fallacous and ridiculous p lea
which is now urged in favor OF intro
| ducing slavery into this state, viz. the
evil exists in other countries, and by &C.
tending il, it will be decreased
| By the same course OF reasoning it
might be shown that all the ,nurderers
since the days OF Cain, were. not only in
nocent but entitled to applause. BY the
same rule, also, there is moi a crime lbat
has ever been committed, but the repe-
tition of it might be justified.
In the name of common sense. If slave
ry is an eVii, why is Brissot SO anxious
| 10 introduce 1t INTO Illinois. he says,
il is an evil from which we cannot at
present extricate ourselves" Here he
is completely mistaken. The number
of slaves in the slate is small, aud they
might be emancipaied in the course Of
a few years, without their loss being Da-
tcrialIy felt by their holders. Bot we're
ii Otherwise, | cannot see how the exist
ence of an evil to a small extent, can
Justify US in increasing that evil. Sup
pose Brlssot were a farmer, and few
plants OF the Canada thistle should spring
up on his farm, aud he should be unable
to extirpate them, would it be good poll
cy Tor him to SOW the seed Of that nox-
ioos plant in all his fields
Brisspt asserts that the Introduction Of
slavery into this state, Z" will not enslave
another individual, but promote the ease
and comfort OF those already IN bon
dage."
| answer that it would increase the
number oil slaves in several ways.
|. 1t would encourage the foreign
alape trade, by opening an additional
marke, for the sale OF human flesh. The
horrors of this trade are almost incredi-
bic, especially since exertians to sup
press II have been made by several ma
tons. The commander of an English
ship relates, tina! on chasing slave ship,
he saw large number Of casks thrown
overheard; and he afterwards ascertain
ed that these casks contained human be-
ings who had been barrclled up alive
and thrown overheard, to escape delec-
ton. Lei every one who thinks Of voting
for the Introduction OF slavery, reflect
that by doing 50 he will encourage the
commission oil crimes like this.
9. Ii will encourage the domestic siQpe
trade. Let slavery be confined TO its
present limits, and the time will come
when the people OF the slave states will
be compelled 10 reduce the number of
their slaves, by emancipatjng them and
sending them TO Africa or HaYt., where
they may enjoy the blessings of liberty
aud sell government. But open new
market Tor slaves, and you immediately
increase their value, and thus take away
the chance OF their emancipation. In
stead OF being restored TO their rigts, and
conveyed to Africa, they would be sent,
to Illinois and sold for good round
sum, and doomed 10 be the progenitors
OF a race OF slaves, most of whom would
draw out painful existence upon the
sugar plantations oil Louisiana. Let the
advocates OF the introduction Of slavery
say what they will about their humanity,
6eneOolence, &c. yet am well convinced
tina, aUar1ce is their ruling principle.
This will prompt them, should slavery
be introduced, To raise slaves for the
Louisiana market; for in this way alone
can slavery III Illinois be made pro6ta-
Bile. Indeed, such is already the mac