The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-10-29

complete subsection to. the blacks! A
contest would inevitably ensure between
the two races, civil war, carnage, pillagc,
conilagration, devastation and the ultimate
determination or expulsion Of the blacks
n othlng is more certain. And are not
these evils far greater than the mild and
continually improving state of slavery
which exists in this country? say con-
Ilnually improving; for if this gratifying
| progress in the amclioralon of the con-
| diton of The slaves has been checked in
some of the States, the responsibility
must attach to the unfortunate agitation
Of the subject OF abolition. In consel
quence OF 1t, increased rigor in the police
and further restraints have been imposed:
and do believe that gradual emancipation
Che only meth cd OF Liberation that has
ever been thought safe or wise by any OF
the slave States has been postponed half
Il century.
Without any knowledge of the relation
in which ! stand to my slaves. or their
individual condition, you, Mr.. Menden-
hall, and your associates who have been
active III getting up this petition, call upon
me forthwith to liberate the whole Of them.
Now let me tell YOU that some half Il
dozen of them, from age, decrepitude or
lnfrmity, are wholly unable to gain IA
livelihood for themselves, and are hea-
Wy charge upon me. DO you think !
should conform to the dictates of human
It,yh N dit Of ,l,. Il
sending them forth into the world, with
the boon Of liberty, To end wrelched en-
lslcncc in staryallon? Another class is
composed Of helpless infants, with or
without improvident mothers. DO you
believe as IA christian that should perform
my duty towards them, by abandoning
them to their fate? Then, there Is an
other class who would not accept their
freedom If would give it TO them. Ifave
for many years owned slave that wish
ed would leave me, but he will not. What
shall do with that class2
! What my treatment Of my slaves is,
you may learn from Charles who accom-
panles me on this journey, and who has
travelled with me over the greater part of
the United States and in both the Canada<.
and has had ii thousand opportunities, if
he had chosen to embrace them. to leave
me. Excuse me, Mr.. Mendcnhall, for
saying that my slaves are as well fed and
clad, look as sleak and hearty, and are
quite as civil and respectful in their de-
meanor, and as little disposed to wound
| tIn Of,
Great and continued laughter and APP
plause.
Let me recommend you, sir, to initiate
the benevolent example of the society of
Friends in the midst of which you reside.
Meek, gentle, embued with the genuine
spirit Of our benign religion, whilst in
principle they are firmly opposed to sla-
very, they do not seek to accomplish its
extinction by foul epithcts, coarse and
vulgar abuse and gross caIumny. Their
ways do not lead through blood, revolu-
ton and disunion. Their broad aud COM
prehensive philanthropy embraces, as they
believe, the good and the happiness of the
white as well as the black race; giving to
the one their commlseratlCn. TO the other
their kindest sympathy. Their instru-
ments are not those of detraction and of
war, but of peace, persuasion, and earnest
appeals TO the charities of the human
heart. UnambItous, they have no poll
teal objects or purposes to subserve. My
intercourse with them throughout life has
been considerable, interesting and agree
~ | !
have induced them as a society, whatever
"A few individuals might have been temp
ted to do, to seize the occasion of my
casual passage through this State, to Of
Ter me personal indignitv.
This part of Mr.. CIay's speech was
listened to with deep and absorbing al
ten'ion, and was followed by loud bursts
of applause.
respect the motives of rational aholi-
tionists, who are actuaed by a sentiment
of devotion to human liberty, although |
deplore and deprecate the consequences
of the agitation of the question have
even many friends among them. But
| they are not monomanacs who surrender
| iHS u'eH'"Si'eo w ''''Sie Nca' iooh al
together to the black side Of human life.
They do not believe that the sum total OF
all our efforts and all cur solicitude should
be abolition. They believe that there
are duties to perform towards the white
man as well as the black. They want
good government, good administration
and the general prosperity of their coun-
try.
shall, Mr.. Mendenhall, take your G.
tition into respectful and deliberate con-
sheraton; but before ! come to final
decision, should like to know what you
and your associates are willing to do for
the slaves in my possession, if should
think proper to liberale them. ! own
about fifty, who are probably worth fl-