The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-18

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Some eight OF ten years ago, as many Of our
readers recollect, a long and able discussion
arose 10 the Kentucky Legislature, or an attempt
(sincc annually repeatedly to repeal the "Negro
Law of 1888. The debate took wide range,
and was characterized by great ability and elo-
quence-the subject was thoroughly sifted, and
slavery handled without gloves by many who
stood and yet stand high among our Statesmen.
On this occasion Hon. Thomas F. Marshall (heu!
quanto mutatus nrnc alb illoN published his
pamphlet against the repeal of the law--one of
the most eloquent productions in our language,
of which the first name in America might be
proud. And our distinguished aud influential
neighboB Of the Journal mingled in the contest
in manner which those interested, we have no
doubt. remember tothis day. In the excitement
Of what DR.. johnson would call tine mental di.
gladiation, men spoke out their sentiments freely
with point and boldness which might well
make the.nOrthern Junkins hang their heads with
shame.
As these debates were not generally Tepub-
lished, we presume very few Of our readers have
seen them--and having lately obtained pretty
full selection from them, made at the time by
the able editor of the National Era, we think we
shall be doing seasonable service ar this juno
ture, by reprinting them in the Examiner
We begin, however, with couple of edito-
rails from the Lexington Observer, which con-
tain the essence Of the auti-emancipation feel
ing and avow sentiments alike abhorent to
common sense, morality and religion 1t is
worth careful perusal
ave do not know precisely how TO speak up
on this subject. Ii We were to give vent to the
feelings which we have, we should be set down
STAKEHOLDER toa sense of the danger that impends
upon him, but in terms suited to the extreme
delicaey of the subject. That there are men in
our commonwealth, earnestly at work to pre-
pare the public mind for the great step of eman-
/ cipation, no man of common sense or common
sagacity can doubt. Yet the Shareholder rests
in apathy. We never heard solitary argument
against the repeal of the act of 1888, which did
not go TO prove that slavery itself was so vast a
moral and political evil, that II ought to be abol-
ished."
"The act of '33 and the discussions incident
to il, at every session Of the Legislature, tend
most powerfully TO produce an unquiet state Of
mind with our slave population. There is moth
ing more abhorrent, in our judgment, than the
predatory steps which some sickly sentimental
lists think il proper to take prior TO emancipa-
ton. Hence it Is that the slave must be taught
to read, and all the means Iesorted to, for the
purpose of ameiorating their condition, and ell
evating them in the scale of men. Now, il is
infinitely better TO set them free, at once, than
to adopt this halfway policy.
"The act Of '33, we have always looked upon
as springing from this false philanthropy. 1t
was the work Of men who desired the emanci-
patton Of slaves, but were not willing TO incur
the hazard Of going right TO work about it
They, therefore, appeased their consciences by
the act, whilst they avoided the responsibility
Of setting the slaves free. But common sense
would seem to say, that if It be right to let no
more slaves come into the State. il Is equally
right 10 get rid Of those here. But no-gentle-
| men are not willing to take that step-they
must wait until the public mind is prepared
This is most emphatically true. Whilst the
STAKEHOLDER reposes in calm security, uncon-
scious of what is at work, the elements are ST.
lently engendering, which will ere long burst,
with terrific fury, upon him aud his property.
Ii would be much better TO encounter this spirit
i'm open and manly war, than to be forced to
meet it, from disguised battery. Let the PEG
pie look TO 1t In time, 10 guard against its insid
ions approaches"
The following remarks are by. Hon. b. NJ
Crsnshaw Of Barren county, now, we believe, q
member Of the Senate. Mr.. Crenshaw, il viii
DO seen, treats with snail respect the "Scriptu-
raj arguments" Of which many are so fond, ant
which have been urged of late so keeniy in thi,
city. His sentiments or free discussion do him
honor-they were no, so general in Kentucky
then.
"a pro-slayery member had said, that slavery
had its origin by divine authority, to which Mr..
Crenshaw OF Barren. feplid-
"Slavery had its origin by divine authority
Now, sir, il il not my purpose to investigate the
origin Of slavery, (for we are talking about what
slavery is now.) but as our authority over the
black man is claimed by divine sanction allow
me for a moment to advert to that branch Of the
gentleman's argument. / have only to saw, we
ars authorised to believe from the old scriptures
that slavery existed ia some form among the
ancient Jews by divine appreciation; and that
for purposes only known by the great Maker
and Governor of the universe. They were the
favored and peculiar people Ct God, and were
emphatically under a TheOcracy. They lived in
an age preparatory to, and dark compared with
ths age in which we live. "l3etter things were
in store for u.s." that age has passed away; the
sun Of Righteousness has arisen with "healing
in his WINGS" and has ushered in the glorious
day which has brought "good tidings of great
Joy which was to be to all people, The king.
dom of the Jews was heshly; the kingdom of the
Redeemer is spiritual. That was a kingdom
which recognised Jew and Gentle. bond and
free; this is a kingdom in which "there is neith-
or Greek MOI Jew, bond nor Free but all are one
in Christ Jesus" As the bright luminary of
day scatters the mists Of the morning, so did the
Son of man dispel the darkness which enveoped
the world. The Gospel precepts are sublirnated
purities. II contains the injunctions-"Love
your neighbor as yourself''-"Do unto others.
az you would they should do unto YOU" 1t is
then unit and improper to refer the institution
ct slavery, ms il has existed since the glorious
light of the Gospel burst upon the world, TO the
decree of high Heaven"
"The gentleman from Breckenridge has in
formed us that he wishes no discussion with the
abolitionists; that he would not have an argu-
ment with them. This, sir, is the very course
which has given wings TO their horrid doctrines.
We should treat them with due respect, and.
but for the mistaken policy Of the South in re-
gard to their petitions, abolition would long
since have been on the wane. To attempt 10
stifle or gag men, however visionary their
schemes, is to add vigor and strength to their
cause. The sympathies Of the community are
ever extended to the prescribed. Then let us
hear them. To hear them is but TO confute
them. DO we dread to meet them7 Sir, what
is their doctrine, that we need fear to meet il
full In the facet"
The following feeling and eloquent remarks Of
Mr.. Crenshaw are exactly to the point. They
can neither be met nor evaded, for every mans
conscience must testify to their truth II is this