Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-23
n u NJ & f. r Z.

an original question, whether. there being
slaves within the country, should INTRODUCES
them aud incorporate them into our society, that
would be totally different question. Few, If
any, OF the citizens Of the t. S would be found
70 favor their introduction. No mar in il would
oppose. upon that suppositon. their admission
with more determined resolution and conscien-
tious repugnance than should. But that is not
the question The slaves are here; practical
scheme for their removal or separa from has
been yet devised or proposed, and the true en-
curry Is. what Is best to be done with them. In
human affairs We often constrained, bv the
force OF circumstances and The actual state of
things to do what would not do If that state of
things did not exist. The slaves are here, and
here must remain, IN some co;idition, and, / re-
peat. how are they best to be governedi What
is best to be done for their happiness and our ownr
In the slave states, the alternative is that the
white man must govern the black, or the black
govern the white. In several of those states tho
number of the slaves is greater than that of the
white population. An immediate abolition of
slavery IN them, these utra-a bolitionists pro-
| pose, would be followed by desperate struggle
for immediate ascendency oc the black race over
the white race, rather il would be followed
by instantaneous collisions between the two
races, which would break out into a civil war
that would end in the determination or subiuga-
ton of tho ono race or the other. In such an al
Tentative, who can hesitatte9 Is il not better
for both parties that the existing state Of things
should be preserved, insiead Of exposing them 10
the horrible strltes and contests which would iue-
vitality attend INN ediato abolitiona This is
our true ground of defence for the continued ex-
lsteuce of slavery in our country. 1t is that
which Our Revolutionary ancestors assumed IL
is that which, in my opinion. forms justifica-
ton In the eyes of all Chrstendom.
A third impeachment immediate abolition is 10
be found IN the immense amount of capital which
10 invested in slave property. The total number
OF slaves in the U. s., according to the las. emu
merat,on OF the population, was n little upwards
Of two millions. Assuming their increase ut n
ratio, which 1t probably is. of FIVE per cent per
annum, their present number would be three mil
lions The average value Of slaves at this time
Is stated by persons we'll informed to be- as high
as five hundred dollars each. To be certainly
within the mark, let US suppose that it only
: tour hundred dollars The total value, then, by
that estimate Of the slave property, in tho IT, 8.
IS twelve hundred millions of dollars. This prop
erty is d'tiused throughout all classes and condi-
tons OF society. II is owned by widows and OF
phans, by the aged and infrm, well as the
. sound and vigorous. II is the subject of mort
cages, deeds Of trust and family settlements. Ii
has been made the basis of numerous debts
contracted upon its faith and is the sole reliance in
slave states Tor the payrnc,,, no',s ,s-..'-
l. them. And now it is rashy proposed, by q sin
e gle fiat of legislation, to annihate this i'm
q mense amount Of property! To annhato it
!" without idemnity and without compensation to its
- owners! Does any considerable believe
81 it TO be possible to effect such object without
AZ
know that is visionary dogma which holds
10 that negro slaves cannot DO the subject Of proper
al ty. shall no, dwell long with this speculative
il abstraction. That is property which the law de
ID claIes be property. Two hundred years Of leg
Id islation have sanctioned and sanctfed negro
er slaves as property Under all the forms Of COVE
is ment which have existed upon this continent du
IS ring that long space Of time-under the British
a Gov ernment--under the Colonial Government
n under all State Constitutions and Governments
IT. FL .s.olc
SO have been deliberately and solemnly recognised
al as tho legitimate subjects Of property. To tn
ut wild speculations Of theorists and innov ator
m stands opposed the fact, that in uninterrupte
period Of two hundred years. duration under
to form Of human legislation, and by oil the depart
re- men,. of human government, African negro slave
have been held and respected have descended an
been transferred,a lawful and indisputable proE
he erty in the very British example which is triun
ip- phantly appealed to worthy of imitation
w Although the West India planters had voic
on in the united parliament OF the British Isles
a irresistible Of Justice extoried from th'
as Legislature the grant of twenty millions
pounds sterling TO compensate the colonists &
oli- their loss Of property.
The II therefore, these ra-aboltioni,,s are q
Pc rousiy determined to pursue their scheme of II
m mediate abolition, they should set abo,
be raising a fund Of twelve hundred millions Of dc
les lars idemnify the owners Of slave property
= And the taxes to raise that enormous amount ca
ny only be justly assessed upon themselves or ups
18th the free States, if, they persuade them TO a
mi sent to such assessment; for it would be
rec mockery Of all justice aud outrage against
my equity 20 levy any portion Of the tax upon Il
no slave states to pay for their own unquestion
ons property.
be If the considerations to which have area
eat adverted not sufficient 10 dissuade ths abo
Dry ,ons,s from further perseverance, in thei, desip
us- the interest of the very which they profe
I'M to e.pouse ought to check their Inste
ons of advancing, by their efforts, that cause, III
,ed- have thrown back fo. half century the proapt
hat any species of emancipation Of the African
IN gradual immediate IN any of the states. Th
am have done more; they have increased the r
ies ors OF Legislation against slaves in most, If not
I IN Of the slave states. Forty years ago the gu
Tree ton agitated in the state Of Kentucky o
der gradual emancipation Of tho slaves within its Ii
;. DO its By gradual emancipation, l mean II
ing slow but safe and cautious liberation Of sa,
o OF which was first adopted in Pennsylvania at
ized instance of DR.. Franklin, in the year l7S0,
Is according to which, the generation in being W
just to remain in slavery, but all their offspring b