The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-06-03

The discussion between Mr.. Woodward, or
South Carolina, and MI. Bsyly, Of Virginia, in
the House OF Representatives was an occasion
Of much interest Those Southern gentlemen,
who assume to be the guardians Of Southern
rights, have generally got along with admirable
unanimity. But on the occasion TO which We
refer, the harmony was interrupted, and some dis
cOnd, quite refreshing to mere lookers-on was
manifested A controversy between Southern
champions in relation to slavery is a novel iea-
tuTe IN Congressional proceedings. We have
elsewhere given extracts from this discussion
from which our readers VIII see that on certain
very important points, The speakers are as WIDE
asunder as the poles.
But few year have passed since Southern rep
resentatiyeS scomed TO discuss the subject Of
slavery an Congress They said il was q subject
with which Congress had nothing to do, and they
therefore viewed all discussion of il as imperti-
nent Gradually, however, change has conc
over theiI feelings, and, during the present ses-
siOE, they have exhibited much sOlieitnde 10 de
fine their positions on this question, and 10 pa
Tade What they seem 10 consider the merits OF
slavery. Indeed, they have had more to say in
vindieatiOn OF the ''institutioA,' ''lact," OF
whatever other term II may suit their fasiidiOas-
ness TO employ in speaking Of slavery, than has
been said against il. We rejoice they admit that
slavery l. 8 legitimate subjcctfoT debate. If the
system be genial 10 humanity as they assume
II is lheir duty TO enlghten world that is very
much in the dark as 10 It's ments. The tendency
Of the times is most decidedly adverse TO slavery
The tide Of public sentiment throughout the civi |
lIzed world, Is setting with tremendous force
against all old systems of bondage, and if AIN
can slavery Is the only one worthy of a longer
lease OF existence, its friends should certainly
eBdesvOT 10 rescue It from the fate that threatens
At. before II Is too late And LET them make ca
ger haste 10 do 1t, foT there Is nothing more GER
tain than that Afncsn slavery must fall before
the hostile agencies now making inToads on it,
uniess ITS advocates very speedily throw up some
clTcumv valuation Of reason and religion Of suff-
Gent force defy the assaults OF its resolute OBJ
ponenis.
Although we were born and nurtured under
the shadow Of African slayery-our irss breath
having been mingled with that Of slaves-ac-
customed. ~ we have been, to hearing the dis
cnssiOn Of slavery denounced Is incendiari.n-
ism by our nsighbOrs and friends, we have never
yet been able 10 appreciate the force Of that
logic which has silenced 90 many tongaes- ri
IL be dangerous TO discu IS the system, that fact
certainly furnishes most conclusive reason
why il should be discussed thoroughly. earnest
~, and Immediately. Our safety would then i'm
peratively demand il. He Is not wise man who,
when surrounded with PeriIs, folds his arms and
refuses 60 escaPe-who, while in the midst oil
danger that Is increasing with each successive
day, takes steps 70 lessen it--who looks fear
fully al the black cloud that i rising in the hes
Esns, and sees il rapidly expanding and becOm- q
ng more wrathfaI, and yet N persist in refu- q
ing to take shelter. while he may, from the APP
,rosahias iesssssioas AZ slavery mas become sol {
aIl Of danger to aPpaI stout hearts and para q
USE eloquent tongues, why should we act 50 in q
.nely TO foster IL, instead Of eecting our re-
rsat from III Why not 60 10 work and remove y
{ while we may7
But the truth is, opposition to the discussion
n slavery does not spring from fear Of any dis
abstraction which discussion may produce
lmong the slaves. II arises from keen sense
Il the total indefensibility Of the system. They
who wish to perpetuAte il, feel sure that II viii
rot bear the light Of day. Its defOrmity needs I
he concealment Of darkness. and to pour on i'll
he meridian influence Of reason is the sure way
o excite the most bOundless hostility to IL. Ger
sinly the most monstrous assumption ever ur-
ed by a mind capable Of connecting ideas, is
hat the discussion Of slavery ID inadmizsible-
This Is not precisely an age in which tile en-
lsvemeni Of mind, heart, and tongue can be
aid TO be fashionable. Men will talk and talk c
oddly too Of whatever deeply interests them. "
The doctrine that teaches the common brother &c
lOod Of humanity, Is becoming SC persuasive, p'
hat but few can resist it, eIoqaence. All who u
acknowledge this doctrine, dedues from Il GER
ain duties which will not permit them to re- Gu
main inactive in the presence Of evils and af- 10
Lotions, Of monstrous expressions and outrage,
md they must and will LIN up their voices NJ
gsInst every system Of injustice and inhuman-I
ty.
Those defenders Of slavery who declsre that
he masses Of the people in slaseholding State. IA
re satisfied with their institutions, greatly tu
wrong the people. That African slavery is la
evil, is very generally admitted. and A
hat admission carries with 1t denunciaton Of la
he system The conviction that something ca