The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-01
Awake. Awake.

For the world is rousing up Not alone here
or there, not in the dark despotism of Austria,
not in the grinding tyranny Of Naples. but eve
tan. Awake, then, and answer the worlds
swelling chorus of freedom, wisely, nobly.
And what has started-what, as all will admit,
has helped to swell this commotion-to make
the Alps ring, and the lowlands Of the Mediter-
ranean echo back the cry for constitutional lib
erty in all Europe, To annihilate Royalty in
France. and lift above it glorious ideal Of Re-
Publicanism7 Our example. The example OF
Republican America! Perfect that, then-lei
not slave, nor master be known here, give to
and to all the goodIy opportunity Of doing
and thrving-and, in fifty years this example OF
ours, will secure equality of rights and eppor-
tunities in every civilized land upon the earth |:
Can We refusel
The Beg Of THnis, barbarian though he be
has abolished slavery. In his solemn proclsms-
ton, he denounces il as disgrace TO Africa,
and the Mahometan religion. Hear you that,
freemen Of the SOUTH Honest, Christian
shareholders, know you this barbarian's act
You not deaf. None of you, freemen or
shareholders, are deaf to such glorious deed.
Be the foremost then, in kindred acts. What
though political PerPetualists, madmen, almost,
on the subject Of slavery, run riot; what though
fswning and cringing suPpliants of the free
States bend the supple knee TO them-do you.
brave Southrons, who know the evil and the
wrong, and feel the injustice Of slavery, do you,
rise in your might, and act yourselves, IN your
orn rifh, put forth your resolve, by lofty deed
make clear your lofty PurpOse-that all shall be
free
For yourselves, slave holders, do this!
The old King Of Sardinia, wise in his way
knowing what will be, anticipates the peoples
demand, by giving them a Constitution. Hear
you not their shout Of applause. Hear you not
how all Europe rings with his praise. Not
thus, not because you cannot help yourselves,
but because il is right, declare in behalf Of eman
cipation, and there IL not land. far or near not
q nation, civilized or barbarian, where the peo-
pie would not rise up and bless you. With one
voice, the generous slave holders of Kentucky,
would be hailed a. masters Of themselves, and
true men Of msrk-as true men who love lib
erty, and would perPetuate il the world over.
II is charged against you now, that "you
breed men aud maidens, for sale in the market,
as the grszier oxen and swine"
We have lifted our voice TO defend the major
ity Of you from this charge. We have brought
upon ourselves severe rebuke for SO doing. Yet
let ms do justice! The flag of the Union floats
in sight Of shambles where the traffic in human
flesh is tolersted-within stones throw Of the
Capitol Of the nation, the internal commerce Is
carried on before men, and High Heaven, as II
il were just. Here, too, in our own beautiful
city, where public opinion revolts Of IT, this ira
ding in human beings exists, and men and wo-
men in coffies, ironed and guarded. are shipped
as if they were dumb brutes, 10 the far South.
For this you suffer. For this the cause Of hu-
manity suffers. Unite then, phiIanthropic
shareholders, and declare, come what may to
You, whether honor or disgrace, wealth or pow
erty, that these wrongs shall not be, that you
will have nor lot, nor part, in a system which
breeds a curse so insupPortsble, and that among
the best and brsvest, you will be first in demand
ing universal emancipation. This will dissipats
all such charges, and bring you, not Disgrace,
not poverty, but honor, wealth, and above all,
and better than all, your own self-approvsl,
mans love, Gods richest blessing, now and
hereafter!