The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-27
THE EXTENSION OF SLAVERY.

One Of the objections against the annexation
Of Texas, addressed to the consciences of "the
People of the free States" is, that it would ex-
tend and perpe,uate the institution Of slavery.
We do no, see how this objection can be made
out, unless upon the hypothesis that Texas, if
not annexed to 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 ascrbed TO
plishment of those designs, and of the absolute
necessity on the part Of the Southern people of
insisting on the annexation Of Texas. II would
also be equivalent to an admission and approval
of the unconstitutional designs of the abolition
lists in this country.
If Texas remains as it is, slavery will be as
much extended as if 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 continue 10 be sent, carried, in that drec-
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 il as far
removed from them as practicable.
But in what manner Is IL proposed 10 benefit
the slave population by combining it within The
present limits Of the Union 2 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 betered, immediate
ly, at least, by restricting it within certain geo
graphical bounds. But we can readily under
stand how lis condition might be rendered wor,e
by such restriction, IN impairing its value as
property. As general rule, the treatment
which the slave experiences depends upon his
value TO his owner. If his services are profta-
Bile, he is well provided for and attended 10. even
from motives of interest; if otherwise. he is III
provided for, perhaps nee ssariy so. If he be
comes an actual burden TO bis owner, the burden
must b. got rid of a, any hazard.
Emancipation, from the force of necessity
must, therefore, precede any benefit likely 10 ar
crue to the slave population from con6ning II
within geographical limits, in order, indirecuv 70
destroy It's value. In The mean time AN io6,i,o
degree OF distress must be experienced both b.,
III. slave and bis owner. The one must he i'm
Povershed, and the other reduced TO the verge
OF starvation, and the feelings OF both aoaios.
each other exaspersted by mutual sufT.ri,a
Nothing, indeed, short of general and sx,ro..
impoverlshment and distress from which H.
slaves would suffer most, would induce ill.,
shareholders, as body, TO try The experiment,
Of general emaDci patton of their slaves And
admitting that they would, at length. be coerrsd
INTO that measure, there would be still host Of
difficulties and troubles to encounter and orc,
come before the blacks could even hec;n :.
enjoy the fruits of freedom so de.,Iv 49,.
chased by her own sufferings. The relative
civil rights of the two classes or nor,I....
would have to be adjusted; and r. $50,
lied, the utmost degree of human
would be requisite to constuc, .v -
safeguards against the collisions llsl, ;.
spring from the indelible and everlasting -
OF distinction which the Almighty himself no.
Impressed upon the two races. During the ~
cess OF adjustment, civil war would probahl,
arse, the blacks be defeated and again enslaveJ
and IT would be necessary 10 comm.o,, :,
work dc nouo-perhaps again and again.
To the phrenzled mind all this seems s.si..
possible. To the deprsved mind, il, verv d,n
&c" and difficulties, and probable horror, cor
sttute charm and attraction. We find
President Of the United States, to,,erior q, H..
brink of the grave, but with all bis ip,e,Ie,,,aJ
faculties still entire, absolutely gos,ins over ,h