Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-17

IN IFS limits The celebrated ordinance oi
lfs6 contained the terms of the grant-the
regulations for the future government Of the
ierrtory and the perpetual introduction OF
slavery. twas drawn by Mr.. Jefferson, and
passed by the vote Of Virginia, Georgia and
The two Carolinas, together with four other
states,-any two of which, by voting IN the
negative might have caused its rejection.
Tbs brief reference to the history of sla-
very proves that it was forced upon us by a
train Of events that could not be confronted.
Every effort was made TO suppress Il, aud
when that was no longer possible, etlectual
measures were taken TO prevent its propaga-
ton elsewhere What was brought upon us
without our agency, and tolerated at first,
from unavoidable necessity, has now become
essential TO our happiness, and Is not neon
sistent with that OF the slave himself. In
what code Of ethics, human or divine, is It
written that slavery is an offence OF so idiot
a Character that no circumstances can pal
nate tho necessity excuse itp Whence rs
derived the authority for saying that u IS a
SIN, so very foul and monstrous, that Virgi
MA IS bound TO pluck 1t from her bosom,
though her life's blood should gush after lP
pr. there arc pure and holy men who have
looked upon it without adherence Even
that Apostle from whose mind as we are
Told by the gentleman from Rockbtidge,-
Tie last shadows of san and error were chas
Cd away 10y light from heaven, did not con
uemn slavery So far from it, st. Paul sent
home to his master, Philemon, "a minister of
lhe gospeI) a runaway slave when he met
with at Rome, with a letter asking forgive
ness for the fugitive, and apoioslzln6 for
having temporary. taken him into his service.
The Saviour of mankind did not condemn 1t
tie appeared IN a province OF the Roman
Empire which was filled with slaves Their
lumber was estimated at forty mllions. aud
their condition abject aud wretched IN the
extreme. The master exercised, without re-
%siralnt, The power Of life and death over The
slave. and exposed him, at pleasure, TO the
sconrge, the crucifx and the sword of the
gladiator, The slave was responsible with
has own life for that of his master, and was
put to death If the master were murdered.
no matter by whom. Christ saw these slaves
Their numbers and their wre;chedness.
Nothing escaped his all pervadiug eye. lie
came INTO the world to reprove sin, and he
did reprove ii. in all the diversified forms in
which IT appeared before him. Yet be re
bnked not slavery On the contrary, he gave
IT his implied appreciation by exhorting mas
tiers to he kind to their servants-and e%nioin-
ing II On servants to be faithful and onedlent
TO their masters. Shall we, sir, affect a mo-
ralify more pure and exalted than that OF the
pfimative Christians, or even the blessed au
Or OF our faith? Slavery prevails over all
the world,-from the Ganges TO the Nile
from Indus TO the Pole. The principles ex
ISIS every where, and is virtually felt even a.
mong those who are called free. Where is
the community in which there are not lndi
viduais who. 10 dragging out a toilsome and
wretched existence, exposed to 'tlle rich
mans scorn-the proud mans contunlely,"
do not see ahd ieel that this world was made
for Others? Add who can say thai sais par
tlal evil, IS not conducive to the universal
good, or, IA some manner, snbservlent to the
~oenehcieht purposes OF an all WISE providence?
Nations are stricken down under the rod Of
aiiliction and bowed low, for centuries, at
The icotstool of oppression. but let it 'jastify
The ways OF God to man. that IN the endless
vicissltudes of human affairs, the balance
may, at last, be redTessed, and retributive
justice done to all. We, ourselves, are the
slaves OF circumstances, and il, in submitting
to this universal order OF social being, we do
stu, let as repose with humble confluence in
the hope, that, when arfaigned at the bar of
p~osieiity-so much dreaded by the gentle
fnau from Hanover-or al be throne oil hea-
ven, the palilation we can plead -aided by
that merciful intercession that will not be de-
ME US, may secure our pardon and forgive
ness.
lAdr. BrO,en's Speech TO be continued