The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-11

The Rev. b. L. KlyAsAEH generOas
hearted and true man. e6ssxsssaissn years
of absence. or as he expresses it, "Of
in the States of Illinois, WincOnsin,
and Indiana" visited Kentucky. The result of
that visit he thus states:
Kentncky and Emancipation.
Having been so long associated with the
busy scenes OF a new county, where eUtTy
man is constantly employed N opening up
his lands for cultivation, erecting houses for
the comfort and convenience Of his family
and business, and where our towns and villa.
ges, mills and churches. are all coming for
ward by the untiring hand Of industry and
enterprise--now to return to Kentucky, as
we have occasionally done, and see the
dilapidated houses, worn out lands, decayed
fences, old mills and farm-houses brsaken,
one farm so extended as to include two or
three Of former times, portions Of the coun-
try measurably depopula,ed by emigration,
and, above all, to see the spirit Of incidence
and inactivity that pervades the greater por-
ton Of the people, large companies collect
ing in every village and town about tie
country tavems, spending hours and days
in idle conversation or amusement, and, in
some instances, worse employrnent;-lo
witness the great contrast, we say, strikes
US most strangely and aTouses in ou breast
mingled emotions Of the most sad and medi.
tative character. There are few counties
around Lexington which present a body of
land unsurpassed for beauty, health and fer
tility, by any in America. ALI lands Of the
first class are in Oh state Of cultivation,
but in the hands OF a FEW wealthy farmers.
The great body of the State, however, is
made up Of second and third rate lands.
On these the great masses OF the popula-
ton are found, and it is in reference to these
our first remarks are made. Ii is all, how
ever, kentucky, and in regard to the State
as a whole, we have few remarks to offer
in connexion with its present condition and
future prospects on the subject Of the re-
moval Of slavery, which is Justly looked
upon as the cause Of its want of energy and
spirit.
Ii has net been without effect that Ken
lucky, the oldest Of the new States, has
witnessed the unequal march between her
self and other western States, which have
pursued a different policy in regard 10
slavery. She has seen Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois, each bordering upon her limits,
emerging from a wilderness state and enter.
ing upon a high career of prosperity, and
either surprising her in wealth, numbers
and Improvements, or SO near her in these
respects already as to insure their speedy
triumph. The Legislature Of last winter
provided by law for referring the question
of convention for a new constitution, Il
the people. At the general election in Au
gust last, the people decided in favor Of {
convention by majority Of about 10000
votes. The same question is to be kept be
fore them, in one form or other, for three
years. This gives ample time TO ge
the question Of gradual emancipation fully
and fairly into popular discussion.
As it regards the chance for success, il
this all important movement, We have taker
considerable pains 10 form an opinion
founded upon facts and circumstances favor
ing the scheme, in our late visit. We fnC
on the one hand, that in Lexington and thu
counties adjoining, wher, the great weigh
of the slave-holding and pro-slavery pOpu
lation is found, there is strong opposition
to the policy, and but few who entertain tn
idea that it will succeed They hold tina
the great majority in favor Of the conven
ton is no proof Of public feeling in lavo
of emancipation; that considerations who'll
of different nature have influenced tn
people to vote Tor the convention. This, 3
a considerable extent, is true.
But, on the other hand, we find. in tn
, first place, that the counties most in fave
Of perpetuating the old policy are few il
number and those but thinly populated, 6
least so far as potes are concerned. Will
f the counties bordering on the Ohio rive
are both numerous and populouS. an
strongly inclined TO change OF policy
Added 10 these, there are all the counties j
the north and east bordering upon and ruI
ming into the mountains, settled by moi
slave-holding population, VINO will strong
favor the free labor system. Besides thes
three divisions Of the State, it has alway
been the desire Of the southern or Gree
River section, 10 favor tn, non-slaveholdin
3 interest, and it will DOUBTLESS do so nov
r The several sections here named, whe
3 united, can carry any measure they pleas
3 allowing for the loss of an occasional men
e Der from their ranks.
\ While we make these statements for an
n against the success OF the great cause
|. freedom, in our neighboring State, yet tru
and candor require US further to remark tn
q there are other interests and agencies u
e volved in the question, which WELD col
trolling influence over it. The whole cor
!. munity are exceedingly sensitive on the su
j. lect Of foreign interference in regard to the
: domestic affairs. The least mis-step on Il
# part Of her friends in other States, or {
v out break OF violence by northern Abolitio
lists towards them, would so arouse an
: slavery men there, that they would act WI
!. the pro-slavery party, rather than be drive
. into measures, as has been the case heret
;. fore. In other words, it is impossible
II conquer a peace" or by any violent
!. harsh measures promote the object; The
Il tempt to do so will ensure defeat.
|. Again, nine-tenths, if not nineteen-twe
n tieths, Of the people are in favor ofenlan
% patton, where the question is abstractly Pl
n scented; but when the matter comes up
" action, the question is urged, what is TO
done with the blacks, when freed II no p