The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-10-31
a EInl.E ANru-s,AvErY CArEcmusM
question. What is slavery?

Involuntary OOnuS.
Q. What is the institution of A.
merican Slavery?
H. American slavery is a political
institution. By provisions of the
constitution it is national; but is
provided for directly, by the consti-
tuition of each slaveholding state.
Q. How can it be abolished?
ii. Only by Shareholders, or by
threefourths of all the states in their
respective legislatures; or else in
conventions, if so provided.
q. Is slavery in accordance with
the spirit and language of the dec
laration Of independence?
H 1t is equally at variance with
that declaration, and with the spirit,
and general maXims Of scripture !;
but the constitution, when framed, in
after years provided for slavery. as
the onl y condition on which the I'M
ion could be formed.
z. Is the constitution in this res
pect null and void as some pretend !?
ii. Nothing has been done to in
validate It's provisions for slavery ::
but 1t has been carried out by subse-
quent Legislation of congress, as 9TH
er provisions of the constitution.
z. Could it ever have been valid
In this respect since it wars with the
declaration of independence?
III. The declaration of indcpcn-
dence is not the constitution the
departure of the constitution from
that declaration only shows a change
OF position, to effect a compromise.
z. But is it not invalid in regard
to slavery, since neither slavery.
slave, nor negro is mentioned in the
constitution?
II. The constitution was DESIGN
cd to be sufficiently explicit to salts
ty slaveholding states; it did satisfy
them; and every nation in christen
dom knows its intentions. An eff
fort at this late period to evade its
phraseology is an unmanly bubble
upon words.
O. Is the institution of slavery
sinful?
Il. 1t is. The sin of the institu-
ton is the sin of the body polite.
Q. When does the holding of
slaves become sinful in an individ-
ual?
H. When the spirit of slavholding
prevents his setting them at liberty /;
and also when he might cma9 ipate
them, and, in doing SO, benefit and
elevate them. But the ever abiding
sin OF slavery lies in the body polite,
and may not in all circumstances
cleave to the individual; though in
majority of cases, Shareholders may
have fearful account to render at
arighteous tribunal. 1.-THE correct
ness Of this position is questioned
then we ask,
q, Why did the inspired apostles
give instruction for the proper treat
ment of slaves, if in all cases the
holding of them is sinful?
H. Nobody can tell; for plainly
IN that case, any instruction must
have been inadmissiblc, except an
imperative injunction to set them
free.
Q. Why is all teaching at vari-
ance with the above answers atten-
ded with so much envy, strife, and
evil surmising?
H. On this point the following
words of the apostle are conclusive.
-"Let as many servants as are I'M
der the yoke, count their own mas
tiers worthy of all honor, that the
name Of God and his doctrine be not
blasphemcd. And they that have
believing masters, let them not des-
plse them because they are breth-
rem; but rather do them service be-
cause they are faithful and beloved
partakers of the benefit. These
things teach and cxhort. If any man
teach otherwise, and consent not tc
wholesome words, even the words
OF our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to god.
Illness, he is proud, knowing moth.
ing; but doting about questions
and Strlies of words, whereof com.
eth every strife, ratings, evil surmi
sings, perversc disputings of men o
corrupt minds and destitute of tn,
truth, supposing that gain is godli
ness: from such withdraw thysclr.'
Il Tim. vi. /, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Q. Why do not the church with
draw from anti-slavery men VIII
"tcach otherwise" than the apostle
though they claim, as might be ex
pectcd of the proud, a large share
OF the religion in the church?
III. We cannot certainly infer tina
the church are to apply disciplm
IN the case. The passage seems t
furnish the rule for each individual
in reference to such teachers as ar
here specified; and IL Mt lenst nro