Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-29

Let US cite more OF MT. SauuIhSs PhhoooF"J
and policy, as conveyed in the mastery speeches.
which we have mentioned. 1t will be deemed
pertinent aud perhaps subservent to those DIS
cussions of our day, in which the United States
take share aud have considerable stake. We
must never overlook, however, the essential u.s.
tipction that Great Britain legislates Tor her col
ouss upon the principle Of IS the transcendentai
power of Parliament over every dependency Of
the Crown" while our Congress claim no Juris'
diction, and Gisavo~ all right and intention OF IN
reference with the negro slavery OF the states.
Certain political agitators Of the South hold It
expedient to dwell on imaginary dangers ana
moot extreme and utterly improbable movements
of fapatica zeal Their allegations and wishes
to the contrary Notwithstanding, il is notorious
that opinion in the non-siave. holding States, we
might saw conviction, is as fully against any pre-.
tension or exercise Of power on the part OF the
general government. as it can be in the South.
To proceed to Mr.. Cannings doctrine. La
respect to the Importance and knottiness of the
question of Abolition, he averred that none OF a
more awful'' character had ever occupied or
could engage the attention Of Parliament.
-" The question is not,-it cannot be made
one Of right, of humanity, or morality alone
| 1t is a question which contemplates a change,
| great and difficult beyond example-almost be-
| yond the power of man to accomplish; change
| in the condition aud circumstances of an entire
class of our fellow.creatures; the recas'ing, as
it were, Of whole generation of mankind
|
| my colleagues and are not more anxious,
on the one hand, tn redeem the character OF the
country, SO far as it may have suffered by the
state Of slavery in the colonies, than We think
ourselves bound ON the other, to guard and pro
tect the Just interests Of those, ~ho by no FAULT
of their own,-by inheritance, BY accident, by
encourage e. ent Of repeated acts OF the legisla.
ture-fnd their property vested in concern en-
posed to innumerable hazards aud difficulties
which do not belong to property of another cha
racter; such as il they had their option, as their
ance stors had, they would doubtless have prefer
red"
(" The question to be decided is, how civil
rights, moral improvement, und general hapPi-
ness, are to be communicated to an overpOwerne
multitude Of slaves, with safety TO the lives and
security to the interests Of the white population
our feiiow-subjects and fellow. citizens. We have
TO consider not only what be right in theory, but
what may be wise in practice; not only how to dc
the greatest possible good, but how to do it with
the least possible mis- chief"
elf we are to do good, it is not to be done BY
sudden and violent measures-but by efforts OF a
patient and comparatively tame character; BY
measures which must be carried into effect not
by individuals Of rare talents and conspicuous
zeal, but by the great body of those whom the
advocates of the negro distrust and seem dspos'
ed to put aside. Yes, sir if the condition Of the
slave is to be improved. that improvement must
be introduced through the medium Of the master
The masters are the instruments through whom
and by whom you must act upon the slave popu.
lation; and if by any proceedings of ours we shall
unhappily place between the slave and his master
the barrier of insurmountable hostility, we shall
at once put an end to the best chance OF eman'
cipation or even amendment. Instead of dftus
ing gradually over those dark regions pure and
saIutary light, we may at once klndle fame on
| ly 10 be quenched in blood"