The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-02-26
COMMUNICATIONS.


GrxrlExEx:-I have the honor to &C
,.,,,Iaige the reception, by this day S mail
~ y r"ar communication dated 10th Dec.
I.,; but post-marked, 18th inst, in which,
Won request me to give you my views as TO
4. .Jr,ntages as well as disadvantages, OF
sl.rsry in lis effects, morally, politically,
and socially, and some plan by which We
may be- relieved from its unhappy influence,
without detrment to master or slave.
ahbough am generally averse TO obtru-
Eno my name or opinions upon the public,
-, do not feel myself authorised to with
iold an opinion upon any subject, when
rssDec,fully asked for it, by any gentleman.
A much stronger obligation rests upon me,
now from the fact, thar the names Of more
than sixty of nv fellow-citizens of neigh
borng county. are attached to your commu-
nicaton. But in complying with your re-
ousSL as other engagements limi. my time,
isball be constrained to make a brief res
ponse: tina, is. brief when compared with
The magnitude of the subject. | will not
sn.er INTO a detailed account of the intro
ductlOn of slavery into our country, It's sub
saquent history, present condition, and con-
sequences. Ii is sufficient TO say, that by
the action Of the British Authorities, slavery
was introduced into, and fastened upon the
Colonies. now the United Stales,) at a very
early period. against the strong Temonstran-
ces Of many Of the best citizens. Since
ina. time. il has continued to grow with
our growth, and strengthen with our strength,
until it has assumed power for evil, which
Is appalling. Although born in Virginia, |
claim 10 be entirely keniuckian, having
been removed from the Old Dominion in
nv infancy. Kentucky, therefore, has all
nv strongest and best affections, and would
do anything in my power to advance the in
leres, Of the people, or increase the fame OF
our noble Commonwealth. Taking into
consideration, soil, climate, and all the ge-
graphical advantages, We possess, there is
no Safe in the Union, capable Of support
ing in comfort larger population, and none
afoTdIng more ample opportunity Of haPPi-
ly enjoying the gifts Of bountiful Provi-
dence. And yet with all these, We are
greatly behind some OF our sister States, in
population and wealth, il not in other vital
ly important interests. For this marked
and UNREASONABLE difference, some cause,
necessarily exists. It is not to be found, in
soil Or climate, Tor by properly cultvating
our broad and fertile lands, We can at any
time sock the market with the product OF
our la50Ts. Nor is II because We suffer any
material inconvenience in the want Of means
to send these productions to market. The
noble Ohio, majestic Mississippi, and our
own beautiful rivers, Kentucky, Green, Bar.
Ten, and other streams, together with our
o,ler highways, afford reasonable facilities
10 the planter and trader for exporting to
market our surplus. Nor can the cause be
traced TO our Constitution and general laws,
or TO the manner Of their administration !;
because, however imperfect or defective
these may De, they are 10 say the very least
Of tnem) al least equal to any other in the
Cnlon. | am thoroughly convinced, that
the great cause Of our inreriority in the psr-
uculars alluded to, can only be Justly attrib-
u'ed to the institution Of slavery.
Ii IS, however, not an unmitigated evil, for
IN this and other slave holding States, there
certainly exists more Of the spirit of true
courage, less regard to self, more OF high
toned chlvalry and genuine hospitality, than
are 70 be found in many other portions OF
our Union. On the other hand il has an
unhappy influence upon the morals Of the
community. The slaves themselves present
any thing but picture 10 be desired. Ii is
believed that chastity is virtue almost un.
known to slaves. Nor have they, the pa.
lernal, maternal, iliaI or fraternal affections
n as high degree as the whites. 1t is we'll,
mat they have not, for these ties are often
severed IN manner. which if done to the
whites, would cause either mental derange.
ment, or open rebellion. have, however,
already SAID more on this subject than it was
my Intention to say. Nor is it necessary &c
say much. The evils Of slavery are well
known, and, in Kentucky, almost univer.
sally acknowledged. Whilst a few. cling
I" he institution with all the unyielding per.
unaeI'y, with which miser hugs his gold
q very large majority Of the people of this
Gate, would, if am not greatly mistaken
gisoiy rid themselves Of the political incu
ous, IL some mode can be adopted which
VIII not nilct upon them, evils, equal tc
Tue one OF which they desire to rid them
selves. verify believe that such mode !.
practicable. have often painfully renec
led on this subject, and have deliberatel,
formed . opinions which now proceed to
'a'e' | am wholly opposed to immedat,
EN-. anclpdtlon, by law, and to permiltin,
slave,' when ultimately freed. 10 remain
among US, If it can be avoided. | beliey,
that eitht Z would operate iniuriously to bod
The white I'd colored races. Nv most anx
ioas desire, h,9vever, is to benefit the whites
have none OF that feeling which regarc
d q Ihe sckly sympathy Of The Abolitionists
lsken as a whole, slaves are by no mean
miserable or unhappy, but on the contrary
are generally Gt may be from ignorance) a
T ~ as their owners. With the Abo
nuOhl' the questions Of 81, ,yery, and eman
u,Pduon, are almost mere distractions
WIN us-'hey are realities. We knoao tn
goo II any, and the evils of 10th. IL i
sI le Common observation of all, III at the ba'
m. e' makes invariably more corr upt free
ms;; ;,' ano mat faithful, obedient slaves, in
,aIy OF instances, after being emantipa
c ~u land remaining in our midsD become
occ1 e " themselves, and TO others. They
S.cIPy an anomalous condition, being Meth
Of ass aSss nor iTeemen, and are usually objects
la IslIke and suspicion to both classes
INDEPENDENT however. of tbase cons;da,.