Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-11

refu alton II is well known that the foreia'
theirs of the slaves in this country were FIRST Oh
tanned BY rapine and violence -consequently
the importer OF them could convey no equila-
bic RICH, 10 the purchasers, and the descend
ans Of those slaves are now held in bondage
by those who have reared or purchased them
The rearing of white child only gives the ia
Their, or master, a legal right to his services III
. male, till the age Of twenty-one years, 1t be-
ing supposed that his services during the lat
ter years Of this term are sufficient TO eompen-
safe for the trouble and expense of his infancy.
Why then should the rearing OF black child
give The master tile to his services during
his whole life time! Is it not because the laws
were made by whites?
Although consider our laws, in relation to
this subject, entirely inconsistent with our re-
publican institutions, and at direct variance
with our public professions, yet am no friend
10 sudden revolutions; and think the moder-
ate and consistent course, pointed out by Mr.
Miner, and alluded to in my first number, might
be pursued SO as to promote the interest OF both
the master and the slave.
"Bu,," says the Citizen. ",bis prospective law
for the abolition Of slavery, would be as futile
as unc Institutional; because the slave holders
would Immediately dives' themselves Of their
slaves, and thus evade the provisions OF the
statute" / think have shown that such law
would no, he unconstitutional and that II
would no, be futile is equally clear: for what
would be the object Of the law? Would
it no, be to dives, the District Of slavery!-and
if the slave. holders were 10 divesi themselves
Of this species Of property, by sending it out Of
the District, the object would be gained. But,
I presume, that in this case only a few OF the
female slaves would be sent over the District
line, by those persons who would wish 10 hold
their property in bondage.-And even il whole
families were sold 10 he traders, or parts Of Ia
mile, disposed Of and sent away, it would be
no greater calamity than now very frequently
happens, and which will continue TO happen so
long as slavery, and the domestic save-trade,
shall continue 10 exert their baleful influence o.
YER the community.
Within few months pas, there have been
two attempts at suicide, by slaves confined tor
"safr keeping" in the public Jail Of This county.
Neither OF them succeeded in the attempt; but
one Of them cut his threat in a most shocking
manner, because be expected TO be separated
r r., IN he frad in HI,
man flesh.
presume that this trade, SO universally de-.
tested, will not find all advocate in the "Citizen
Of the Di4tiic;" though fear that the experts
ence Of the community will justify US in apply
ing to this species Of iniqui,y, what one Of the
poets has said Of vice in general
81, is monster of such hdeous mein,
s'That, to be hsted, needs but to be seem
''Yet growing too familiar with its face,
ave FIRST cndure-then pity-then embrace"
The "Ci,izen" tells US that it would b. "a
vain thing" to pass a law for the abolition OF
this traffic ,-inasmueh as they nigh, establish
themselves within one foot Of our line, and still
carry on the trade. But would i; not be Of
some consequence to the character OF the Dis
,ric,, to have this trade expelled from among
us? And, in commercial community, is not
character as essential to prosperity as wealth!
Thrre would not then be The same objections
for men Of enterprise and capital from abb DAD
TO come and settle among us-especially if
there were a prospective law enacted, which
would assure them Of the ultimate extinction
of slavery here. Although the ,radeimight be
carried on close to our borders, still our com.
muni,y would not be so subject to its democrat
izirg influence; and if a step were once taken
towards its abolition, the example would be fol-
lowed by the adjoining States, and thus The
foulest stigma on the national character might,
in time, be removed,
The Citizen states, that not more than "one
out Of fifty of the free people Of colour are will
ling to emigrate." In reply to this, can inform
him, that the Colonization Society have more
applications now Tor passage to Liberia, than