The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-02

time. that he may enjoy ampler opportu-
mites OF emplying means for their amend
ment and elevation-if he regards them as
a hust committed to him byh:s Master and
theirs, for their mutual benefit, and no long
er as property Of which he has the uncon-
trolled disposal, for his own selfish ends
il he acts and feels thus, he is no. only free
from guilt, but he is ''bringing forth fruits
meet for repentance" he il doing work
of righteousness and humanity. If it be
pretended that such a man is SHINING, it
must be on ore or the otha Of these
grounds-eilher he is doing harp to his own
servant by his course, or he islnjuring 9TH
ers by countenancing the oppressive and
cruel system Of slavery. But neither Of
these allegations would be correct. Will
any sober man, acquainted wild the ordina,
ny character of slaves, assert hai il would
be doing them an INJURY 10 asey them, for a
time, The exercise OF unlimdtd seffcontloil
Will he assert, that the authority Of con-
scientious and kind benefactor extending
over them, for time, to assist them in the
attainment Of correct sentiments, useful
knowledge, and virtuous habils, restraining
them from vice, shielding then from temp
tation, and moulding them to rectitude-'
will he assert that such authority is doing
harm! Why is il that wisdom and benev-
olence have fixed upon tweny-one as the
age at which our children are to become
their own masters! Why se they not
freed from parental control at seventeen or
eighteen! Simply, because, IS general
rule, they are not fit for selfPvernment al
eighteen. They are, therefore, kept under
authority for three years longs; and not only
no harm, but even kindness is done to
them. The almost unanimous voice Of man
kind pronounces that this IS right. Now IL
is well known that the great mass OF slaves
re mere children in understanding and
knowledge. The white youth at eighteen
usually far surpasses the great mass of oui
slaves, in intelligence and capacity of man
aging successfully, his own affairs. II, then,
we grant it to be right to retain the one fol
a few years. to qualify him for his future
condition, why is it not right to do the sam:
in the case of the other? We love ouI
children, and do for them that which we
think will benefit them; why should We
not confer the same benefit on the slayel---
Is a course which is kindness to child
injustice and oppression to a slave!--
The voice Of enthusiasm may declare
against us; bu, the voice OF sober reason
will pronounce in our favor.
Neither is it true, that the gradual emal
cipator sins by his countenancing Others il
holding slaves. His example cannot be APP
pealed TO by shareholders, as justihcatiol
of their course. His system is as diiieren
from theirs as benevolence is from injustice
Let them do as he does, and slavery at one
ceases. He has, by his deed Of emancipa
ton, recorded his detsstation OF their sys
tenn, and shown that he will sacrifice hi
gains to his adherence OF it. But il j
asked, what difference is there, in the prir
ciple, between his holding them for sorl
years, and their holding them for life! TIL
difference in principle is the same that &,
lists between guardianship and slavery, or b'
tween ordinary apprenticeship and slavery
If it were sinful to do anything which ma
be misinterpreted into an encouragement
slavery, il would then be wrong to use III
products Of slave proprieIoTs, and TO do
thousand other acts, which may be said
be countenancing Of this unjust system.
| II is also a matter worthy of the serlo'
consideration Of benevolent mind, whst
er, by hasty emancipation, he may not |
riveting more firmly the chains OF 9th
slaves. The strongest and most freque'
argument in the mouth of the advocate
slavery is, the worthlessness OF the trs
blacks. This argument is, il is true, soph
teal; but is force is accumulated by eve
case of emancipation; when the subsequel
conduct of the black is at war with his CIV
interest, and the welfare Of the communi'
| II, then, We do not use q reasonable pr
denee, and secure, as far as may be pos
bio, the future good conduct Of tho
whom we make free, we may be fou
among the number of those whose VIE
meant but misguided zeal retards the wo
q they aim TO advance.
IL We have thus sketched general QUILL
Of the plan which we propose for 70
adoption; and have endeavored to sho
that the principles on which il is based
/ the principles Of truth and righteousness.
We have no hesitation in saying, thar
: plan, in its general features, should
r adopted and acted on by all. In canyi
, it out into its m mute details, many cases
doubt and difficulty will arise, both as to
n precise period for emanciPating parti;u
slaves, and as to the .means TO be u
: for their adequate preparation. But ev
. one who chcrislrs Christian benevolen
y and strives to keep an honest conscien
y will be able, by applyingthe principles
II down, to ascertain the specific course ySh
is duty, in his own individual case. I'll
,r cases OF difficulty can, however, only &C
4 in respect to the slaves who are already
- vanced in years, and whose habits are TX
"A in relation to the young. our course is Pl
: and unembarrassed. In view, then, oil Ii
:. circumstances, we leave many thing
i private Judgment, and conhne ourselves
= few specifications, as exhibiting what is
he clear and unquestionable duty OF all.
Ill /. We would recommend that all sl'
w. now under twenty years Of age, and
Il those yet to be born in our possession
be emancipated as they severa'.y reach
De- twenty-fiith year.
rae 9. We recommend that deeds OF ena
&C. patton be now drawn up, and recorie'
fit our respective county courts specifying
to slaves we are about to emancipate, and