Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-08-26
For the Sentinel.
KelleyiSm.-NO. 3.

DIsUNIoN MEASURE OF REFORM.
Among the widest and most extravagan1
notions of reform now seriously put forth
this project of disunion is most prominent
Its advocates, with more than prophetic as
surance, declare it the only remedy which
can avail against Slavery and its evils
They gravely tell us that, to divide the
north from the south is to annihilate Slave.
ry. This is certainly strange position
and shouldbe supported by the most indu'
bitable proof. Not only should positive
proof be exhibited, but the mode of opera.
tons should be delivered so that we may
form our judgments correctly upon the
subject. We have not yet. been SO fortunate
as to meet with any satisfactory proof of
this position. The usual argument is that
emancipation will take place as measure
OF necessity. That the south enfeebled by
division will be compelled to abolish Slave
ry. This argument drawn from necessity
is both plausible and convenient. 1t is
plausible because it fatters the north with
the idea of its own greatness and strength,
and degrades the south. 1t is convenient
because at the same time it proves that the
entire responsibility Of sustaining slavery
rests upon the north.
This argument we propose to examine
somewhat in detail. We assert that the
south without the aid or influence Of the
north can maintain Slavery. First they
can do SO because they have, admitting the
races in other respects equal, the physical
power to do SO. The white population ol
the thirteen slave States at the last census
was 4,l56,OOO. The slave population was
2,457,2l3 little more than one half the
number of whites
Now if numerical strength alone were
to determine the question, the disparity be.
tween the masters and slave is too great tc
allow the slave the least prospect ofsuccess
in such struggle. The superiority Of
the whites in point Of numbers is not as
great as in mental capacity and acquire
ments. The whites of the south have all
the knowledge, oil the training, all the per.
sonal activity, moral courage, enterprise
and perseverance as well as all the means
necessary to carry forward offensive or de.
fensive war. For battle they are equal to
Iany men on earth. The slaves on the
other hand, besides great inferiority in point
OF numbers, are naturally sluggish and in
tdolent, have no ability to combine or con.
cert measures for achieving their liberty.
They are destitute Of means and moral
courage, have no spirit of enterprise, no
activity, no discipline. How then can the
slaves, while in this condition, compel eman.
lcipation? The thing is utterly impossible.
1t is the vainest and weakest of all tue vain
and weak chimeras Of the most morbid i'm.
agination. Again; the pages ofhistory fur
nish not single example Of the success Of
the slave against his master. The ancien,
lsraelites were without doubt best qualified
Of any people for this task, but they fled
from their masters with great fear under
the most favorable circumstances for de-
49, IL 81
fence and abandoned all thoughts Of re-
sistance when pursued. Nothing but the
intervention Of Divine Providence saved
them from re-subjection.
ln what age or in what naaion have we
an example Of successful rebellion among
Siares The blncks Of Hayti would never
have achieved their independence Ind they