The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-18
LOUISVILLE KY: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER

upon the mutability OF legislation; but
should he brought into the very constitution
OF our government and be made essential
TO it.
The deviSing ways and means to accom-.
plish this end, 80 as shall best consist with
the public interest, will be the duty of ouI
future Legislature.
This evil is a tree that has been long
planted, it has been growing many years,
IL has taken deep root, its trunk is large, and
its branches extended wide; should it be
cut down suddenly, it mi ht crush all that
grew near it; should it be violently eradi.
Gated, it might tear up the ground in which
1t grows, and produce fatal effects. 1t is
tue, the slaves have a Just claim to be
freed instantly but by our bad conduct,
We have rendered them incapable of en-
joying, and properly using this their birth
tight; and therefore "a gradual emancipa-
ton only can be advisable. The limbs OF
this tree must be Topped off by little and
little, the trunk gradually hewn down, and
the stumps and roots left to rot in the
ground.
The legislature, if they Judged it expe-
dent, would prevent the Importation Of
any more slaves they would enact that all
both born after such date should be born
free; be qualified by proper education to
make useful citizens and be actually freed
at proper age.
1t is no small recommendation of this
plan, that it so nearly comedies with the
Mosaic law, in this case provided to which,
even suppose it is human institution, great
respect is due for its antiquity, its justice
and humanity.
1t would, think, avoid in great measure,
all the evils mentioned in the objection
All that was the masters own, at the time
fixed upon in the act, would still be his
own: All that would descend from them
would be his own until he was paid for
their education. All he would loose would
be the prospect Of his ohildren's being en-
riched at the expense Of these who are I'M
born. Would any man murmur at having
this prospect, which was given him by an
ni1uitous law, and cannot be enjoyed
without guilt, cut off by righteous law,
that frees from oppression future genera
tons
Is there amy such man TO be found -
Let MS stop a moment to hear his COM
plant. 81 have long lived happy by OPP
preston. | wanted 10 leave this privilege
as an inheritance to my children. | had
delightsome prospect Of their living also
in ease and splendor at the expense Of others );
this iniquity was once sanctifed by a law,
of which ! hoped my children's children,
would have enjoyed the sweets; but now
this hard-hearted, this cruel convention has
cut off this pleasing prospect.
They will not suffer my children to live
in ease and luxury, at the expense Of poor
Africans. They have resolved, and alas !!
the resolution must stand forever, that black
men in the next generation shall enjoy the
fruit of their own labor, as well as white
men; and be happy according 10 the mer-
it Of their own conduct. If justice is done
to the offspring Of negroes. mine are eter-
nally ruined. " uay children cannot, as
have done, live in injustice air, vruoi,y,
they are injured, they are robbed, they are
undone. What,-must young master sad
die his own horse Must pretty miss
sweep the house and wash the dishes and
these black devils be free NO heart can
bear it Such is the difference between us
and them, that it is greater injury to us to
be deprived of their labor, than it is to them
to be deprived Of their liberty and every
thing else This wicked convention will
have to answer another day, for the greater
injury they have done us, in doing justice
TO them.
Emancipation on some such plan as
above hinted would probably, in many in
stances, be real advantage to children in
point Of wealth. Parents would educate
them in such manner, and place them in
such circumstances, as would be more tc
their interest, than possessing such unpro
ductive estates as slaves are found TO be.
The children would imbibe noble in
dependent spirit, learn habit of managing
: business, and helping themselves. The!
: would learn to scorn the mean and beggar
ly way of living, at the expense Of others
living in splendor ON plumber Of the limo
cent. Where estates were wisely managed
, children would not find their fortunes di
r minished. They would not be mocke'
with nominal, but possess real wealth
3 wealth that would not merely feed their van
ity, but fill their Golfers.
2 The children Of the slaves, instead OF be
Q ing ruined for want Of education, would b
d so brought up as to become useful citizens
= The country would improve by their indus
: try manufactures would flourish; and, i
$ time Of war, they would not be the terror
e but the strength and defence of the state
n Ii NAV be farther objected thar to attemp
y even in this gradual way, the annlhilstio
It Of slavery in this country, where so man
,. are deeply interested, might so sensib
d touch the interest Of some unreasOnab
a men, as probably to stir up great confusion
e and endanger the tranquility of our infal
G. state.
4 Though doubt not but some men
re narrow minds, under the influence of pref
D. dice or covetousness, might be made unea
he and disposed to clamor; yet apprehel
Mt but little danger Of any i'll effects. II
OF measure would be so agreeable to the hone
es dictates of conscience, the growing sen
ID ments of the country, and Of many even
Ill the shareholders themselves, that any OPP
in sition they might make would not be 81
ported; and they would be too wise
nd hazard the Fastening an event they 80 mu
10 dread.
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