The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-14
Discussion.

In the Georgetown, (Ky.) Herald Of the
4th inst we find the beginning of discus
sion Of emancipation. The editor himself takes
no active part in the matter, but invites commu-
nicatiOns from both parties. The editor says,
The following communication, as We have
heretofore remarked, is from the pen of promi-
nent and influential citizen Of our county; in
which he discusses a subject Of no little impor-
lance TO the citizens Of this proud Common
wealth; one which is already enlistng advocates
on either side, from amongst our most distin-
guished citizens, throughout the length and
breadth Of the State"
The communication published in the Herald
the editor says is "frOm a gentleman who has
mingled in the councils Of the State, and who
possesses the very necessary qualifications, in
such discussion, Of age, varied experience and
rare financial skill; man Of good attainments
ana unquestiOned integrity, who would not, for
any consideration, knowingly occupy false
position
We are glad to the friends Of slavery in
our State come out and present the arguments
in favor Of their views. If slavery is an insti-
tution calculated to confer benefits on all con-
necied with il, let all be be convinced Of this
aud then let US take measures TO riyit the sys-
TEN upon ourselves and our POsterity Let the
white citizen Of the slave State feel that he is
blessed and let the slave be taught that he is no
longer to indulge any vain aspirations for free
dom. Let us cease giving each other hard
names, and enter into the discussion with
solemn sense Of our responsibility to God and
our country.
The writer in the Herald, who takes the sig
nature Of A. b. C., seems to be fully satisfied
that slavery il essential to the we'll being Of our
country. He reasons with the warmth Of one
who wishes TO convince, but does not descend
to low abuse; he shows that he is a gentleman
A. b. c. begins by quoting the communca-
ton from Frankfort, which appeared in the
Louisville Morning Courier few weeks since,
and the editorial remarks which accompanied
"From the foregoing extracts, I" says he, "and
from other Indications which have come under
my observation, IL is apparent to my mind, that
some scheme Of gradual emancipation is TO be
powerfully urged by certain editors and other
influential men, upon the consideration of the
Convention which IS shortly TO be convened for
the purpose Of remoding our present Constitu-
ton. This, too, i'm the face OF the frequent
declarations Of the Convention leaders, re-echoed
by the Convention press, and endorsed by the
Convention party, that Conventionists had no
design 10 NEEDLE with the Institution Of slave
~; that they did not aim to disturb the existing
relations between master and slave. The viola
ton Of this sacred pledge by those who now
propose TO sgita,e the question of gradual eman-
cipatiOn, needs no comment from me; the hon
est yeOmanry of the State will contemn and
condemn the movement and its instigators; they
will strive in vain 10 incorporate in the Consti-
tuition, any clause, by which the rights Of slave
holders can be invaded, merely for the purpose
Of testing their Utopian theories; theories.
which, IL put in operation, would shake our
common country from centre TO circumfer-
ence"
We think the writer does injustice to those
who proclaimed at Frankfort that they had no
design 10 NEEDLE with the institution Of slave
ry. We believe that they sincerely wished TO
prevent any discussion Of this subject But
they could speak only for themselves. The
friends Of emancipation never authorised any
one to say that they would keep back views
which they considered essential to the dearest
interests Of their beloved State. We could sun.
pose it possible for one 10 promise his friend
who is standing al the edge Of the mighty deem,
thai the vast wave which is seen rushing to the
shore shall not wet his fooi-bst we are not
inclined to believe that the wave would stop
Men often do more than they intend TO do. The
frsi laborers in the American revolution thought
that they were merely opposing tax upon tea;
they were achieving the indepence Of a nation.
A. B. c. contends that slavery Is beneficial to
shs mechanic and Iaboring man by increasing
the price of their labor, and relieving them from
the meniai o16ces which are performed by
slaves.