The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-30
For the Examiner.
Encanrnaina.


have been a deeply interested reader Of the
Examiner for sometime, though not subscri-
Der, and have thought il would not be unaccept
able TO you TO learn something more of public
sentiment in this quarter in relation 10 slave
ry-I give it to You as my opinion formed from
the most thorough examination Of individual
opinion upon the subject, that three fourths of
the people hereabouts are ready and willing that
initiagor steps may be taken as soon ms conye-
nient for gradual emancipation. This is
broad assertion and may not seem credible even
10 YOU whose "hopes are with your will" much
less 10 those who have been in the habit Of re-
garding the institution Of slavery as fixed and
immutable.
Our is an age Of progress in all the depart
ment Of human thought and action. and the
last few years have wrought this wonderful
charge in the minds Of men in relation TO
slavery. A few years since this was not so; the
lat oriDg masses were thougAtlessly in favor Of
sIa very, and would not lie reasoned with as TO
its eYils-now your ''abolitiOn" paper, as some
d. Ince has called it, is read with patience and
dven interest by owning slaves. Once
they would have sent mob after you, now they
C onducted with the prudence of yours might
De published in any town in the State with the
most perfect security from popular displeasure.
Interests, individual and national, are the great
levers that move us singly or in bOdes-and in
order that we shall pursue given course 1t is
-.
interest to do so. This is an it should bet is
| in conformity to truth. Public virtue liz never
violated by the means necessary TO acquire n
| real and permanent good. In this case we have
! the comfort TO know, that in looking alone to
our temporal welfare in abe abolition Of slavery
We 90 nevertheless conform to the requirements
Of Justice, morality and reBgon-the foundation
principles of all real prosperity and Happiness.
The eyes of the mechanic are opened to the
injury that he sustains by slavery lie sees
that nearly all the trades are taken from the
white man, or If not taken from him, he has
at least strong competitor in the slave. This
discovery having been made you may set the
mechanic down as in favor Of gradual emanci-
patton The thousands of town property own
ers, who have been waiting imPatiently for their
towns 10 grow into cities, as towns in the free
States have, enhancing an hundred fold such
property, will vote the same wsy-knOwing rs
they do that slavery is in the way Of manufac-
lures, the growth of towns, &c.
The Farmers around these kenucky towns
who have been waiting thirty or forty years for
city market at their doors, and are vet disap-
pointed, and are likely to be TO the eud of their
time, are already saying, "away with the OBJ
stacle that stands in the way Of hou,e market,
the growth Of every town. the increase or es-
Enlistment Of manufac lures and Of State pros
perity."
The large land owner, too, is against slavery
for it keeps down the price Of his lands by
keeping away the free labOrer and manufaetu
Of the north. Many other classes Of the com
munit yare opposed from interest TO slavery aud
one class from religious scruPles, which pIoha'
bly, is small in reality, though many affect TO feel
the force Of such an objection. This feeling
is at least often manifested by the slave Owner
on his dying bed, frequently see him will
ing his negroes free, although he might hav,
| been in the habit of trafiickiug in them wher
we'll There are times In every mans life
when he feels that slavery is religiously wrong
but many excuse themselves upon the grounc
that they are not responsible for Il. Still Their
are times when this view Of the matter will NO
satisfy the conscience, even of apparently wick
ed men-mankin ind are at heart opposed Ia slave
nv in every form and this feeling or sentiment
will ultimately work out the freedom Of th'
negro though unAided by any other power
| These, sir, are some of the views and argG
nents that hear adduced against slavery from
day to day by almost all classes of men. This he
ing the. state Of the public mind, who can doab
the ultimate success Of the friends Of universe
1 freedom. say to you 90 on, be of good cheer
never mind those who taunt you with being
abolitionists or call You by any other har'
L names All win come right Truth is ON
nipotent and public justice certain"
Yours, NERIrAs.
The American Review.