New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-05-02
Il II f. TRIBUN F..
rom the Buffalo Commercial Advrrtl,rr.
The slavery Question,

race IN the United States, and upon the various
scheme. that have been proposed for their eleva-
ton. design TO notice these briefly.
The deep interest excited in ny own mind by
the alarming manifestations of spirit of discord
and of national Reorganization, growing out Of the
relations Of Slavery, il my apology for thu. address
ins the public. 1t has also led me to suggest
T0mPcHs1tt0n 10 tie master, a. what appears to
me 10 be the only practical basis OF Abolition of
Slavery. s. WILKESON.
At an early period in the settlement Of this coun-
try, Sii'ery was introduced into the Southern
States. The African slave trade was carried on
by other nation. for more than Il century before
the Americans engaged in it. The trade being
deemed profitable, aud encouraged by the British
government, eastern capitalists entered into it, and
participated in the profits of supplying the demand
for slaves IN the colonies. Some Of the Southern
colonies, early foreseeing the evils which slavery
would entail on the costry. attempted by remor-
STRANGE and legislation to arres, the farther intro
duction OF slaves, but their get. were revoked by
tie British government, and be policy Of encour-
aging the slave trade, and the largest increase Of
slaves in the American colonies wa. openly ayowed
Thus encouraged, the purchase and sale of slaves
became general in every American colony East a
II,
almost wholly carried on by the Eastern colonies.
and for many years it was the most profitable
banch OF their commerce. |, gave employment
to the capital and enterprise of particular sections
Of country, as does the whale trade Of TIL. dav,
and was considered generally honorable and fair
business
The capital and industry of the southern colo
MES being entirely devoted 10 agriculture for which
both soil and climate were much more favorable
than IN the east large plantations were opened up
on which slave labor could be proissly employed.
particularly IN raising tobacco, which was, even
long before tine Revolution the great staple Of the
south. As this article commanded a high price
and ready market IN Europe, strong inducement
was furnished to the planter TO increase tho num-
ber OF his slaves, and extend bis plantation, which
generally embraced large tract Of land. The
slaves on each plantation, thus separated from all
Intercourse with other plantations, were easily sub
Icced to such rule. of government as secured the
regular performance of thoir tasks. Zach p.snta-
ton was separate cOony-each family OF slave.
occupied separate cabin Slaves became from
necessity the mechanics, wagoHcrs, house servants,
cooks and nurses. Slavery in fact assumed pa
trisrchal character
In the eastern colonies farms being generally |
small required but little labor in their cultivation,
and the negro being unable in that climate to en-
durc the fatigue required in the fisheries AT sea,
was noi as in the south, valued much for his la
hor as for an article at barter, and was bought and
sold as any other claitel. Indeed the slave trade
may be said 10 have been the business of Rhode |
Island Members Of the church imported slaves |
from Africa a. they would molasses from the West |
Indies
About the year 1850, an evangelical minister of |
Newport, becoming interested in some very intel
lgcnt slaves who had been converted under his |
preaching, aud who gave him the history OF their
captivity and sulerings, turned his attention to
Ne evils OF the slave trade. Yielding to his con- !
,ic,ion of da,y he boldly denounced it from the
pulpit. An extraordinary excitement wa. pro-
duced discussions ensued. and the friends of the
slave prevailed. The slave trade was net only de
cacd sinful but infamous, and slavery itself an
evil These sentiments soon tosnd advocates in |
other colonies Members of churches, and men
who placed high value upon the esteem OF the
religious public, Withdrew from the trade. Men |
were however found who contisued to prosecute II |
WIN ugor, until interrupted 10y the breaking out |
Of the Revolutionary war. This was favorable TO
tc slave, especially in the Eastern colonies, where
he was more generally member Of his masters
family, shared their common ,ympatmes and en-
dared their common suiicring'.
The confederation entered into, and the Constr
tuition subsequently, adopted, after solemn deilJ-
erGiiog 10y ul the Staes, although recognising the |
existence of slavery, gave Congress no power 10 |
cgi.latc on the subject but left to the several
States the exercise of this power in their sovereign
capacity. In the exercise OF fbcse reserrtd state |
nights. all the States east of Virginia passed laws |
Tor the emancipation OF their slaves; and there |
never could have been time selected more pro- |
pltious for an appeal To the justice and sympahes
ct the people in behalf of the elevation and social
as web a. political equality OF our colorcd poPu-
lation. The cosnlry hnd Just been delivered from
apower that had oppressed, and threatened to en-
slave her.
The whole nation had recognised the doctrine,
TIA, Al nan are created free and equal, and
acting upon this principle tie slave had been set
free. But this was not enough; IN order to open
the way Tor his elevation all OBSTACLES TO his I'M
pgoyement must be removed, he must be placed
precisely on the same footing with the white man,
politically. ciyiy and socially While either VI
these privileges was withheld liberty was but ali
empty name.
The friends Of the slave who had successfully
urged his emancipation. hoped to see him, when
restored 10 freedom, improving his condition and
becoming "A useful ncmber OF society These
hopes, arising from the purcst charity, were never
realized Ii, IN few instances. the Negro piled
his labor with energy, aud 10y pcrscyerins industry
acquired property. and the respect of the commu-
nifty among whom he lived these were exceptions
to the general rule. The condition of the great
mass WAS "a much to be commserated as when
they were slaves. Instead of iadustrous acqulr-
ing properly and purchasing small farms, like the
poor white mau) and yearly gaining additional com
iort' for their families, educating their children
and teaching them honesty and industry, they gem
orally engaged themselves servants. preierrlng
me most mcnisl labor under master, 10 engaging
IN some appropriate work where they could ENJOY
The fruits of independent industry. Freedom iu-
sprcd m them no desire for manly independence.
Although they had been brought up as domestics