The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-07
iAcu1ti0.

We promised two weeks ago, that We would
rrii asrsv-frUsaIng vUrr->POn denr why At wss that
he looked only TO a certain kind of opposition to
slavery. Our language was-"we understand
our friend, and will show him that We do We
proceed accordingly.
There Is no subject about which there is more
dread than slavery. We shrink from it as some
thing which ought not TO be discussed. The mo-
ment ii is introduced in paror, Office, or store,
the voice drops to low whisper, az if treason
were lurking Sear; and when me ntioned in the
street, men 60 apart, and see that they cannot be
overheard, lest they may draw upon their head-
horrible infection.
What il Is We dread, we cannot define Ii is
before US. Palpable the sun; yet no one can
clutch il. 1t is an airy phantom, seen by all
felt sensibly by ALL yet not man of us can fix
1t. or tell how it walks, or how it goes, or on
what il feeds.
who SO gross,
That cannot see this pslpable devicei
Yet who so bold but says-he sees il not"
We talk ever and always round about the sub
ject and qualify talk; and qualify still more,
if there be opposition, until the majority of US
stand SPELL bound, unwilling to express our own
convictions, or afraid to hear the utterance of
another's thoughts. We fear, yet know not
what We fear
Why all this should be, we can understand in
part. Let US examine it,
The period between the conception and fulfill
ment of any great deed, is ever time of anxiety
and alarm. No matter what it is,-whether fair
or ul,-it dsturbs the bravest spirit, and makes
It trembe. The poet says:
Between the doing Of dreadful thing
And the first motion, all the interim 10
Like phantasma, or hideous dream
The genius, and the mortal instluments,
Are then in council; and the s36l of man,
Exc TO little kingdom suffers then
The nature Of an instruction"
Granted. But why the exception. This feel
ing lie not confined to dreadful things; to DO
good, sometimes is accounted do.soro-. folly
and the attempt, then, to enforce IL, will awaken
an anxiety though of different kind, as intense,
and fear appalling. This very subject of
slavery proves what we say.
Independent Of this, however there are intriu-
sic difficulties in the way. Emancipation pro-
poses great change. Men that are well of, fear
injury, they that are doing poorly, dread worse
evils-from its action. None know what is to be
the result to them; and, although they may see
how the change will benefit city or State
they tremble lest they should be sufferers BY Il.
And as 10 long established habits and usages-
those in which we are set, to which we are at
tached, and which are part end parcel of us
not 20 much our second nature, as our very ma
ture itself,-why, they must all 60, and new
habits and usages spring up under new circum-
stances. Can conform TO them' Can We
be happy with them, or under them7 1t lie an
untried state, and, whatever Others experience
may be, we dread to test it. II involves future
Of unknown experiment, and we cling to pres
emit known good and evil, rather than plunge i'm.
10 1t.
Besides, Emancipation, when proposed, starts
the blood into hundreds Of cheeks from other
causes. There are children of tender age, wild.
ows. young and old, grey-headed fathers, who
have their all locked up in negro property.
Their hire, schools, clothes, feeds, shelters them
Strip them Of it, and they are helplessy poor.
How can they sustain a measure, when such III
may befaII them How help dreading change,
when these, or more fearful consequences NAV
happen. And they, and all who sympathize
with them. or experience kindred fears, say, we
care nothing for your increase of population and
Powsr-your promised greater prospsrity-your
railways, and universal education-your wide !