Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-01-19

sis, as we have il, from the editor of the Ad-
vocate.n
Petition. reason and remonstrance, are the
moral powers which we oogh, 10 exert. By the
Influence OF these, with The favor Of Divine Pro-
violence, il a,ay be hoped that slavery will be
pc ceiuy abolished
Third. THAT repor. had reached the meeting
that one member at ieas. had erred, by improp-
erIy giving shelter 10 a slave" What IS meant
by shelter as here used l, must be, conceal
meni, projections, defence. This is the !egiii-
mate Specification Of the term. II may very
properly exclude giving food to The hungry
clothing 10 the naked, and pouring oil and VINE
into the wounds, and 10 fine, treating him not on
ly like a man but fellow man. The case aila-
ded TO in the minute is about this slave 10
The country has a bad master {; doubt he was
a corrupt and vile man, and abused the slave
The slave was also said 10 be corrupt and
treacherous fellow and had probably by his bad
disposition, excited the i'll usage Of his master
This he did like to bear, and, for reiIef, ran a
way. Desiring shelter he called upon poor,
weak, rfirm old man, member among Friends,
who like all other Friends WITS much opposed 10
slavery, and whose sympathes he could easily
arouse, by a melancholy tale, true or untrue, OF
the abuses he had suffered. The old man took
him in and sheltered him. Now, would remark,
if the old man, instead of shelering him. had
given him loaf of bread, piece OF meat, and
pair Of shoes and stockings, Of such were nee6'
ing) and desired him TO pass on. it would have
been better for the slave could not get his
freedom by absconding, nor the old man give 1T
IN hy aH', sheIter. hut the COnGltIOD OF
both persons mus, by such procedure be made
much worse.
The shelter afforded failed in the end. The
slave hunted out and recapured, as might
have been anticipated, and ne afterwards betray
ed bis friend by exposing what had been done
for him, telling moro than was true, not only 10
regard TO The old man, but several other worthy
men, who had given no jus, cause of offence
The master was enraged, emblsiered and re-
vengeful, and the old man, well as many val
liable Friends in that country, were subjected 10
much anxiety, distress and suffering. The qnes
ton arises uhat uds the good done by the Oh
mans act? What benefi, TO the masters mind
towards inducing him 10 set his slave free?-
What benefi, TO the slave in relation 10 his pres
en-, or future usage? or to the slaves 10 general?
to the society or the country? None; but on the
contrary all was made worse. Then why should
ncautious and weak men, like this old man, be
permitted, with the appreciation Of his friends so
to act, as 10 involve, not only himself, but his
,chole society in so much trouble? and not only
that but by such acts, efectuaIly TO close the way
against "pettlon, reason and remonstrance.
Friends thought such things should not be done,
and therefore SO expressed themselves in this
minute.
Some persons may feel anxious 10 construe
these remarks into a defence Of slavery. That
however canno, be done either fairly or justly,
furi, will be plain that no such thing IS intend
ed and it is altogether vain for the editor of the
Advocate to pretend that he does not wish TO in
jurs the character Of the society Of Friends by
his remarks; for such is too evidently the case
Even supposing the minute under consider "a ton
does not state tho case TO the best advantage
(Which may be admsted) or that the principle
involved in the intention is not entirely sound
still we know iha, the vast contrast, between the
practices Of friends and aveholders, in that state
stands out boldly conspicuous; and it strikes US
with admiration and thankfuness that a small
body like Friends there. have the fortiIude,
of pupuIar sentimen, is agans, them, where they
are continually liable TO suffer for their primer
Piles n person and in property, 10 proclaim not
only IN their daily practice, but by The public
press, that their testimony against slavery re-
mains undated. Instead of being the public
faul, finder of such people, s. endavoriog TO sow
the seeds Of jealousy, and suspicion against them,
no one who is not disposed 10 injure their charac-
ter, would make such remarks Nay, though
true friend nigh, grieve observe what he mig ht
conceive 10 be a mistake, blunder, error;
vet, in the character Of friend, and not an enc.
my, his charity would cover a multitude Of their
faults, and he would desire to make The bes, OF
them if others should expose them. Il would do
more honor to the editor 10 say at once, with
out pretending, sword 10 hand, TO be their friend.