The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-22
"ANTI-SLAvERY FEELING"

on the subject oil the annexation oil Iexas.-
The writer is slrenuously opposed TO the pro
ject of annexation, but is candid enough TO re
view both sides OF the question. He says
"There are not wanting considerations TO Undue,
assent to the project There is something at once
grand and pleasing in the onward sweep Of the Ang
Saxon race carrying with it the elements Of christi
anty and civilization and pressing barbarism and IL
, norance towards their final determination in the Pa
cihc.
" There is something gratifying in the sight OF th'
rapid extension of the Republicans aggrandizemen
of the Empire-the increase of power-thc augmen
tation of the only government which acknowledge
the rights and sovereignty of man.
'On the other hand, what is to be the position o
the new republic, if not incorporated with ours p
Are we prepared for jealous and active rival OF
our Southern frontier' Can be Indifferent to tn
authority which European governments must inevi
tably possess in her councils'
GAS regards slavery itself, the annexation is no
without its favorable aspects. new territory j.
opened more congcnial to the black races The At
lantic slave States will be drained of their African
population the evil will be removed to more con.
venient situation--Texas will be the sewer Of this
loathsome nuisance.
"Such are the prominent reasons which address.
themselves to Northern minds in favor of the pro-
posed measure. They are not without weight
They may be urged with ingenuity. They may find
here and there satisfied and convinced listeners But
they shrink into air when looked ut with the stern
Dyes offreedon."
Ii appears to US that there is a striking incon-
sistency between some Of the admissions con-
tanned, or implied, in the foregoing extract, and
the concluding sentence. If the annexation OF
Texas would have the effect, directly or ind-
rectly of spreading, or helping TO spread, =" the
elements Of Christianity and civilization" and
extending the sway of "the only Government
which acknowledges the rights of man." why
should freedom look at the project with "sern
eyes7" And if, in addition to these happy con-
sequences, springing from g the onward sweep
of the AngoSaxon race" the condition of the
slaves, also, will be ameliorated by their removal
10 more ''congenal' climate, why should phi
lanthropy or humanity object to it?
uThs.Yrlisy, does not attempt to explain this
exists in the North on the subject of slavery,
takes it for granted that this feeling, as it re-
spects slavery in the South, is rational and well
founded, and urges it as the chief objection 10
the annexation Of Texas. This propensity to
appeal TO feelings instead Of reason, to deal in
generalities without descending to particulars,
and TO assume theory without attempting to
demonstrate ii, is the common fault of all
DISCLAIMERS against the slavery of the South.
We are glad, however, to have this writer's
testimony as 10 the extent of this anti-sayery
feeling at the North,n as il corroborates an ar
gument which we used day or two He
says
The growth Of the antslavery feeling at the
Nor,n, within the last few years has been most per-
ceptible
Claiming is silent, and Legge,, slumbers with the
dead
Their thrilling voice shall plead no more
For Truth. for Freedom, and Mankind.
The lesson Of their life is o'er.n
But the which ha, been reused into action bv
them, and by men like them, presses rih rssistles
ruge.
Il IS not yet two lustres since the abolitionsts were
mobbcd in all the principal cities of the North The
State Of New York, one of the slowest to move on
this subject within two years has abolished the sta
tutory provision once given to the South to brr
the slaves here, aud that but for a few months
by the anti slavery feeling of western New York
These and thousand similar indications of the
state OF public feeling not to be mistaken except
by those who love 10 be deceived The ultra fanati-
clsm Of the abolitionsts has almost disappeared -
but has gpen place 10 feeling tentod more dangerous
TO the eristenee Of siarsry-a feeling of deep moral
dIsapprobation Of the institution, and fixed resolve
TO give 1t aid countenance beyond what the CON
sttutonal oath imposes.
Now, if the People of the North understand
AMI intend to perform their constitutional obi
cations, we should be glad TO know why the
Channings and the Leggets, and men like Them
should be aboring so sirenuously and inces-
sanity to rouse the mass "info actionn on the
subject Of slavery There is no slavery in the
North. Is it the slavery Of our Southern States
which is TO be acted upon7 or is il the slavery
in Cuba or Brazil
We are daily witnessing some of the results
OF this anii-slavery feeling which so much
pains is taken to excite. But a few weeks
ago, the Legislature of Vermont. upon the
recommendation Of the Governor of that
State, passed bill, by a large majority, for the
purpose Of evading constitutional obligations.
This was auti-slavery feeling, "roused into nc
ton" but the mass presses on with a resist.
less SURGE" and where does it intend to stop 2 |
How is it TO be checked
We repeal, that the South cannot undertake
10 counteract this aggressive feeling, by endeav-
bring to excite what would be called .pro-
slavery" feeling. IL is reduced by the nature of
things to passive defence, and must tamely
await the coming of "the resistess surge,n or
ores'all 1t by secession from the Union unless
ome other expedient presents itself.
II seems that the nomination Of Mr.. CLAY in $
1896 twas defeated by the snti-slavery feeling G
4 Western New York" Y
Nom. Il ILnl, th,i. 49,. LII 4