The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-08-12

the banner of free soil and free labor,
is easy to perceive that this is your
object. Can you not see in the signs
Of the times the gradual but certain ex.
tine ton OF iha, social evil, slightly i'm
peded of.late, it is true, by the misdo-
ings Of some "whose zeal is not accord
ing 10 knowledge sfl .aIsl 81
II is about two centuries since the
first Of the African race were brought
to our shores. They were then what
they still are in their native country
miserable, puny, ef1eminate creatures;
scarcely better, than brutes, and almost
without mind or intellect. Now, even
those in bondage are robust, athletic,
and many Of them intelligent and intel
lectual human beings; and the last cen.
sus exhibited the fact that near a nail.
lion Of them were free, and as far on
the advance towards intelligence and
civilization as circumstances will admit
Of. And is it unreasonable, while they
are thus progressing from the ignorance
and barbarity Of their native condition,
to the state of freedom and civilization
TO which they are ultimately destined, !,
that they should for time be fastened
TO, that soil that clothes, comforts, and
supports them, and gives them an i'm.
petus to that destined state Of intelli-
gence and civilization? ma
There is in our State, and have no
doubt in yours, class Of men who vol
unfairly left their native country, and
for, time became bondsmen, in order
that they might ultimately enjoy the ad.
vaniages Of our free and equal institu.
tions; and many Of this class Of men are
now useful and worthy citizens. And
it is not unreasonable that the African
should undergoa more protracted bond
age; for, being little more than a beast
when he arrives here; longer time is
occupied in his transmuiation to that
condition that enables him properly 10
estimate and appreciate the advantages
Of civil liberty. tse;
nj Africa, with ITS Carthage, its Thebes,
and its Alexandria, once the seat of
art, science, and Of learning, is now in
the deep darkness Of ignorance and
superstition; and, with the wanderings
Of my imagiration, have often con-
templated the day when her sons shall
return 10 her., heavily laden with the
fruits oi the knowledge gathered from
those who held them in bondage; and
in the mighty workings Of that all.wise
Providence whose lifetime is eternity,
shall roll back upon their native land a
mighty food Of intellect, intelligence,
and civilization. rc 5saI
~ And you should remember, too, that
slavery is social more than a political
evil; and it is very improper 10 use, or
10 desire to use, the democratic party
for the eradication Of every social evil
that may exist. The doctrine o! the
National Conventions Of
l84O-'44-'48, to which Mr.. Van Buren,
subscribed in 1910, is, that slavery is a
natter entirely under the control Of the
States wherein Il exists, and is a matter
in which The people OF the non.slave-
,oIding States have no right to inter-
ERE. a""1 H.e~
In Pennsylvania slavery is forbidden
,y an act Of assembly, and may exist
gain whenever our legislature see fit
o repeal that act; and | suppose the
ame state Of things exists in the State
'fNew York. Then what folly tits to
:lamor for the passage Of an idle provi-
10 that slavery shall no. exist in any
erritory Of the United States south Of
! certain line Of latitude, while any |
State which may be admitted into the |
Union out Of the same territory may
slavery by repeating or en- |
citing an act Of assembly. For it is
veil established that Congress has no |
'ower or control over the fundamental |
nws ofa State, they being entirely and |
xclusivelyin the people who compose !
he State. = % t''0 II a3' q
You have both social and political
wills in the State Of New York. There
J, for instance, the great political evil
{ paper money-banking. | call it
olitical evil, because it is built up SOLE
! by the statute laws Of your State.
" force and virtue Of these laws, a
unning few are enabled 10 manufac.
ire rags and iamp-black into money,
II the especial use and benefit Of those
tho labor. - f''is VS. 'fsa''9*f
You have what is called the .Safety
'und'' system Of banking, Of which
our great chief, Mr.. Van Buren, was
,e author and founder; one Of which
ias the Canal Bank Of Albany, which
lied a day or two since, having some
lree hundred thousand dollars Of its
leo ororoienc IN rircrlnfior ~ g {&it' 4