The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-05-12

There is no subject which now agitates
this nation, that strikes SO directly at its
peace, happiness and union, as that of the
immediate abolition Of all SlGreS." 1t
involves the right Of property, guaranteed
10 the citizens of our republic at the adop-
ton of our constitution. The right OF
holding slaves was adhered to by the South,
at that time, with such tenacily, that neither
the fear of a final separation, or of being sub
iugated by foreign power, could induce
them to relinquish it. For the South re-
fused all propositions from the North, for
union,upon any other terms than guarantee
Of this right TO them and, in consequence,
the North pledged not only their own hon
or, but virtually that Of THEN posterity, that
they should forever remain in its undistuTb
possession. Shall this pledge be now brok-
en- in the days of our prosperity or is it to
be expected that the South will give up in
their strength what they would not grant
in their aCedkHesSl No---there is too much
honor in the North for the one, and too
much chivalry and independence Of spirit
in the South for the other, even # there
were no other considerations involved. Yet
we have among US men, who appear to be
not only willing TO break that pledge, thus
solemnly given, to insure our existence as
nation, but TO throw us into state Of an
erchy, civil war and blood shed, merely be-
cause they are in favor of measure, that
every one would gladly see brought about,
could means be devised By which it could
be effected, that would not subject us to a
greater evil than slavery ITSELF Many Of
the southern Shareholders are as decided adj
vocates of emancipation as the most strenu-
Gus abolition lecturer can possibly be. All
the difference is, that the one, from person
al experience, knows that it cannot be effect
ed Immediately, but that it must be the work
of time; while the other, without any regard
to the consequences, advocates immediate
abolition.
That there may be, and undoubtedly
there are some, who take part with the abb
olitonists, from pure disinteresed motives
through mistaken zeal to aid in ameior.
ating the condition of the slaves, and from
the fact of their not being thoroughly ac.
quaihted with the subject, but the leaders o.
the party, have no such excuse. They
know the consequences, and yet pursue
their reckless course with zeal worthy O
a more honorable cause. 1t is certainly
creditable TO the citizens of the non-slave
holding states that, notwithstanding thei
feelings are strongly in favor of emancipa
,, ton, and would do every thing they coulc
to effect it consistent with their duty to the
country, they have generally discountenan
ced these fanatics i'll their base attempt t.
create spirit of hatred and animosity be
tween the north and the south. They
have rebuked them in such manner, tha
any set of men, who had not sinister de
signs in view, would consider as a sufiicien
admonition to refrain from any attempt II
enforce their principles upon the public
All who value the union and desire the wei
fare ofihs slaves of the south, should op
pose the dissemination Of the disorganisini
principles of the abolittionis's; for be as
sured, that their acts tend to bind still close
the chains of slavery, and it may be assert
ed without fear of contradiction, that if ev
er the Union is dissolved, one of the mali
causes will be the agitation of the slav
question.
~ d., D.