True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-03-08
such power be assumed or usurped

lnent, but to operate upon the States them
selves in which the institution of domestic
slavery exists. If that be their object VIII,
are these abolition societies and move
ments all confined to the flee Statesl VIII,
are the slave States wantonly and cruelty
assallcd! Why do the abolition presses
teen with publications tending tn excite
hatred and a,imosity on the part of the in.
l'abltanls of the free States against those
of the Slave States! Why is Congress pc
titioned! The free States have no more
power or right to interfere with institute
ons III the slave States, confded to the ex-
elusive jurisdiction of those States, than
they would have to interfere with institu-
lions existing in any foreign country.
What W 'uld be thought of the formation
OF societies in Great Britain, the issue of
numerous inhammatory publications, and
the sending out of lecturers throughout the
kingdom, dcnouncing and aiming at the
destruction of any of the institutions of
France! Would they be regarded as pro.
ceedings warranted by good neighbour
hood! Or what would be thought of the
formation of societies in the slave States.
the issue of violent and inlammatorv
tracts, AMI the deputaton of missionaries,
pouring out imprisoned denuncia,ions a.
galnst institutions under the exclusive
control OF the free States! Is their pur-
pose to appeal to our understandings. and
to actua,e our humanity? And do they
expect t" accomplish that purpose by hold
ing US up to the scorn, and contempt, and
detestat'"n OF the people ofthe free States
and the whole civilized world! The sla-
very which exists amongst Us is our affair,
not theirs; and they have no more lust
concern with it than they have with slavery
as 1t exists throug bout the world. WHY
not leave it to us, as the common Constitu-
zion of our country has left it, to be dealt
with, under the guidance of Providence,
as best we may or can!
The next obstacle in the way of abolti-
on arises out of the fact ofthe presence in
the slave States ofthree millions of slaves
They are there, dispersed throughout the
land, part and parcel of our population.
They were brought into the country origi-
nally under the authority of the parent
Government whilst we were colonies. and
their importation was continued in spite
OF all the remonstrances of our ancestors,
1t the question were all original question,
whether, there being no slaves within the
country, we should introduce them, and
incorporate them into our society, that
would be totally different question. Few,
IT any, of the citizens of the United States
would be found to favour their introduc.
ton. No man in it would oppose, upon
that supposition, with more determined re-
solution and conscientious rcpugnance than
| should. But that is not the question
! he slaves are here; no practical scheme
tor their removal or separation from us
has yet been devised or proposed; and the
true inquiry is; what is best to be done
with them. In human affairs we are often
constrained, by the force of circumstances
and the actual state of things, to do what
we would not do if that state of tbinps
did not exist. The slaves are here, and
here must remain, in some condition: and
repeat, how are they to be best govern
ed! What is best to be done for their
happiness and our own? In the slave
states the alternative is, that the white man
must govern the black, or the black gov
.rn the white. In several of those States
he number of the slaves is greater than
hat OF the white population. An imme-
late abolition of slavery III Them, as these
propose, would be fol- |
owed by, a desperate struggle for imme-
late ascendancy ofthc black race over the
White race, o: rather it would be followed
~ instantaneous collisions between the
Wo races, which would break out into a
Evil war that would end in the extcrmi-
nation or suhjueation of the one race or
he other. In such an alternative, who ,
,an hesitate? Is itnot better for both par.
les that the existing state of things should
De preserved, instead Of exposing them to
lie horrible strifes and contests which
would inevitably attend an immediate abo-
ltlon! This is our true ground of defence
or the continued existence of slavery in
our country 1t is that which our Revolu- |
lonary ancestors assumed. 1t is that
which, in my opinion, forms our iustifca-
ION IN the eyes of all ChristendOm.
A third impeachment to immediate aboli-
ion is to be found in the immense amount
II capital which is invested in slave proper
y The total number of slaves in the Uni
ed States, according TO the last cnumcra.
ION OF the population, was little upwards
ottwo millions. Assuming their increase
1t ratio, which it probably is, of five per
cent. per annum, their present number
would be three millions. The average val
lie of slaves at this time, is stated by per
sons well informed, to be as high as five
hundred dollars each. To be certainly
within the mark, let us suppose that it is on
y four hundred dollars. The total value.
men, ny that estimate, of the slave property
n the United States is twelve hundred mil.
ions of dollars. This property is diffused
throughout all classes and conditions of So
'lcty. 1t is owned by widows and orphans.
~ the aged and infirm, as well as the sound
md vigorous. 1t is the subject of mo,tea-
5es' deeds of trust, and family settlements.
It has been made the basis of numerous
tebts contracted upon its faith, and is the
sole reliance, in many instances, of creditors
within and without the slave States, for the
tebts due to them. And now it is rashly
proposed by single fiat of legislation, to an
initiate this immense amount of propertvl
TO annlhilate it without indemnity and
without compensation to its owners! Does
my considerate man believe it to be posi-
Die to effect such an object without convul-
'lon, revolution and bloodshed
know that there is a visionary dooma
which holds that negro slaves cannot be the
subject OF property. | shall not dwell long.
With this speculative abstraction. That *
property which the law declares In he oron.
NsT,is I14t