Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1844-07-27

ate not these cyls far creator than The
mill md continually improving state Of
slavery which exists IN this counlfyl |
say continually improving, for II this
gratifying progress in the amoliomlon
nl tho condition of tho slaves has boon
checked in some Of tho Stptcs, tho rcspon.
sihiity must attach to the unfortunate
agitation OF the subject Of abolition In
consequence of II, increased rIpor in the
police and further restraints have been
imposed; and do believe that gradual
emancipation (he only method Of liberia.
ton that has ever been thought safe or
wise by any body in any Of tho slave
Sates) has been postponed halt century.
Without any knowledge Of tho rea ton
in which stand to my slaves, or their in
dividual condition, you, Mr.. Menden.
hall, and your associates, who have been
active in getting up this petition, call up.
on me forthwith to liberate tho who lie of
them. Now let me tell you that some
half a dozen Of them, from age, decrepti-
me, or indrmity, are wholly unable 10
IA n livelihood for themselves, and are
#heavy charge upon me. Do you think
ffat | should conform to he dictates of
humanity by Kidding myself Of that
cha ge, and sending them forth into the
world, with the boon Of liberty, to eni a
wretched existence in starvation? An.
other class is composed Of helpless infants,
with or without improvident mothers.
Do you believe, as Christian, that [
should perform my duty towards them by
abandoning them to their fate? Then
there is an other class who would not ac-
cept their freedom if | would give it to
them. have for many years owned a
slave that | wished would leave me, but
he will not. What shall do with that
class2
What my treatment 10 my slaves is you
may learn from Charles, who accompanies
me on this journey, AMI who has travel.
led with me over the greater part of the
United States, and in both the Canadas
and has had thousand opportunities, if
he had chosen to embrace them, to leave
me. Excuse me, Mr.. Mendenhall, for
saying that my slaves are as well fed and
clad. look as sleek and hearty. and are
quite as civil and respectful in their de-
meanor, and as little disposed to wound
the feelings of any one, as you are.
Let me recommend you, sir, TO initiate
the benevolent example Of the Society OF
Friends, in the midst of hich you reside.
Meek, gentle, imbued with the genuine
spirit Of our benign religion, while in
principle they are firmly opposed 10 sla.
very, they do not seek to accomplish its
extinction by foul epithets, coarse and
vulgar abuse, and gross calumny. Their
ways do not lead through blood, revolu-
ton and disunion. Their broad and 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 commits Grafton, TO the 9TH
er their kindest sympathy. Their instru.
ments are not those of detraction and of
war, but Of peace, persuasion and earnest
appeals to the charities to the human
hear. Unambitious, they have no poiti-
cal o5je cts or purposes to subserve. My
intercourse with them throughout life has
been considera bic, interesting, and agree.
bible; and | venture 10 say nothing could
have induced them as a society, whatev-
er a few individuals might have been
tempted TO do, to seize the occasion of my
casual passage through this State TO offer
me personal indignlty,
respect the motives Of rational abol-
tionists, who are actuated by a sentiment
Of devotion to human liberty, although
deplore and deprecate the consequences
of the agitation Of the question. have
even made friends among them. But they
are not monomaniacs, whp surrenderiug
themselves TO single idea, look alto
gether to the black side of human life.
They do not believe that the sum total of
all our efforts and all our soIicitude
should be abolition. They believe that
there are duties TO perform towards the
white man as we'll as the black. They
want good government, good admnistra-
ton, and the general prosperity oil their
country.
| shall, Mr.. Mendenhall, take your pc
ton into respectful AMI deliberate consid.
Grafton; but before | come TO final decis.
ion, | should like to know what you and
your associates are willing to do for the
slaves in my possession; if | should think
proper to lberate them. | own about Fl
ty, who are probably worth fifteen :hou-
sand dollars. To turn them loose upon
society without any means Of subsistence
or support would be an act of cruelty
Are you willing to raise and secure the
payment of fifteen thousand dollars for
their benefit, if should be induced 10
free them? The security of the pay
ment OF that sum would materially les
sen the obstacle in the way Of their eman-
cipation.
And now Mr.. Mendsnhsll, | must take