The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-27
THE EXTENSION or SLAVERY.


One of the objections against the annexation
of Texas, addressed to the consciences OF 1.-The
People Of the free States" is, that II would ex-
tend and perpe,uate the institution Of slavery.
We do moi see how this objection can be made
out unless upon the hypothesis that Texas, II
not annexed 10 The United States, will become
free State, and will consent, in order to further
the views Of Great Britain against this country.
TO abolish slavery within its territories. But
this hypothesis would be an admission to The
fullest extent, of the sinister designs ascribed to
the British Government, Of the probable accom-
pshment Of those designs, and Of the absolute
necessity on the part Of the Southern people OF
insisting on the annexation Of Texas. IL would
also be equivalent to an admission and approval
of the unconstitutional designs Of the Abolition
lists in this country
II Texas remains rs it is, slavery will be as
much extended as il it were annexed to the
United States. The annexation OF it would add
nothing to the aggregate number Of slaves in
both countries. Unless some change takes place
in the legislation of Texas, the slave population
will cnr,i-.,n 80 10 80. ---;-i, - hot dirpc-
ton, as rapidly as if the two countries were
united. And we can conceive of no rational
objection founded merely on the direction in
which the slave population spreads itself On
the contrary, we should suppose that the People
OF the free States would desire to see it as far
removed from them as practicable.
But in what manner is it proposed 10 benefit
the slave population by combining it within the
present limits Of the Union We take il for
granted that some definite and practical good to
be secured to the slave population, or evil to be
averted from II, is the motive of all honest and
intelligent opponents Of slavery yet we cannot
Imagine, and have nowhere seen stated, the
precise mode in which the condition of the
slave population would be bettered, immediate
ly, at least, by restricting it within certain geo
graphical bounds. But we can readily under
stand how its condition might be rendered wor,,
by such restriction, in impairing its value a.
property. As general rule, the treatmen
which the slave experiences depends upon hi,
value TO his owner. If his services are pro6la
bic, he is well provided for and attended 10. even
from motives Of interest; if otherwise. he is il
provided for, perhaps necessarily So If he be
comes actual burden TO his owner, the burden
must b. got rid Of at any hazard.
Emancipation, from the force of neces,itv
must therefore, precede any benefit likely 10 ac
crue to the slave population from confining i
within geographical limits, in order indrectv :,
destroy its value. In the mean time. an in6n;,,
degree Of distress must be experienced both h,
the slave and his owner. The one must he in,
poversbed, and the other reduced 10 The ver,,
Of starvation, and the feelings Of both apains
each other exasperated by mutual suffering
Nothing, indeed, short OF general and extrem,
impovershment and distress from which III,
slaves would suffer most, would induce n,
shareholders, as body, 10 try The experiment
Of general emancipation of their slaves. Ane
admitting that they would, at length, be coercee
into that measure, there would be still host nj
difficulties and troubles TO encounter and over
come before the blacks could even begin &c
enjoy the fruits Of freedom so dearly pur
chased by lhelr own sufierings The relative
civil rights Of the two classes of ponul,to,
would have to be adjusted and if email
lied, the utmost degree Of human visdoo,
would be requisite to construct even f., n
safeguards against the collisions hkelv %
spring from the indelible and everlasting m,. +
OF distinction which the Almighty himself has
impressed upon the two races. During the pro-
cess OF adjustment, civil war would probably
arise, the blacks be defeated and again enslayed
and 1t would be necessary TO Commence the
work de noro--perhaps again and again.
To the phrenzied mind all this seems e,sa,
possible. To the depraved mind, lis very dan.
gers and difficulties, and probable horrors con.
sfitu'e charm and attraction. We end IN e,.
President oil the United States, tot,enos on N,
brink Of the grave, but with oil bis in,ellee,n,l
faculties still entire, absolutely goa,iug over III.