Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-09-23

Ill dH diuCle Oh week or TWO since, we
expressed the opinion that the abohtonisfs
were comprehending their true mission,
and were arraying themselves in favor Of
free trade, and expressed our qualification,
because we considered free trade the most
important aud essential step towards unver-
sal emancipation. In reply 10 this the
American Freeman, says the abolitionists
still consider all questions as unimportant
compared with he abolition ofnegro slavery;
and however they may view other questions,
will never turn 10 the right Or left in pur-
suit of this great end. we were mistaken
IN supposinr the abolilions,s had found one
step Of practical ground on which TO work
we regret it, but it was certainly natural
mistake, when we look at the resolutions
passed by the late Liberty Convention of
this coun'y. and consider the tone Of nine
out Of ten Of the abolition journals of the
country. The great importance of this
abolition question compared with other
questions, it appears, results from the fact
that that is question involving human
rights, and all others are mere questions Of
dollars and cents. 1t is passing strange 10
US, that men possessing excellent judgments
in other respects should be so blind on
this question. The question Of free trade
is quite as much a question involving hu.
man rights as the abolition of slavery can
importance, as the extent of population i'm.
mediatcly affected by il is greater. There
is now scarcely such thing as freedom; we
talk much about it and hurrah about It III
Buncombe speeches and fourth of July ora
tions, but what between banks, tariffs, and
the thousand tricks of the vicious and cum
ning TO swindle the labor of the country,
the great mass have no freedom. They
are the creatures Of the circumstance, orig
mated by these vicious institutions, and
they stand up not free men nor women, but
the dwarfed, perverted, and miserable crea-
lures they are made. 1t is folly to talk of
their having the right to Go this and that
laborer sweating his ten and fourteen hours
a day for the necessarles of life; ask him
why his form is bowed by toll, why he has
not lofty, noble, and exalted mind, and
let him tell you of The extent Of his time
and consequently his inclination, to cultl-
waite and purify that soul which God has
given him. He is absolutely compelled, not
by the lash of the slave holder on his back,
but by the keener lash of the giant necessity
upon his heart, to deny himself all of the
Injuries and enjoyments CT life, and con-
fac himself day by day, until the grave
closes over him in mercy, TO physical toll,
with its attendant, mental debasemeut -
And Is not free trade then which seeks 10
give all men their rights. the result OF!
which is TO distribute with fairness the pro-
ducts Of mans toll, and by so doing to ele-
Vate men above this physical and mental
degradation in which they now exist, more
than a question of mere dollars aud cents.
No question more intimately involves hu-
man rights-and not only does ii involve
them. but it stands in measure al the very
door of reform, measure which must be
accompl shed before the great wok of hu.
man reimbursement can be fairly entered
upon. But this position we arc told, the
abolition question holds, and we are pointed
To England as u example, that there il was
first abolished and now other odjous meas
uIes ale cfumblng to decay. We like
England for an example in these matters.
Ii furnishes 10 us the very best support for
tho position which we have always taken.
The abolition of slavery in England was
p,ocisclv such an abolition as is sought
tn be accomplished here. 1t amounted to
nothing Whatever. 1t is true tho word
slavery was stricken form her statute books,
md her priests and sleek fed mobiles lifted
up their hands in pious gratitude that u
slave no longer existed on her soil, but was
the scene OF humn misery one iota lessened!
D,d the prlest aud noble hesitate one mo-