The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-28

Word % the Frsends 81 Frcedens.
The following brief article is from the Lex
ington Atlas, and we commend 1t to your con-
sideration: Il
GRADUAL EMANcIFArIoS.-Som of our con-
temporarics have commenced, prematurely, We
mink, to discuss the propriety oil making pro-
vision In our new Constitution, for the gradual
Emancipation Of the slaves in Kentucky Not
wishing TO be behind any In the expression Of
our opinions on subjects Of Importance to the
community, and letting II be known what side
We shall take upon all and any questions that
shall be brought up for discussion by the pa
pers, or by the people, we feel no hesitation in
giving 1t as our opinion, that provision should |
be made in our new constitution Iii we shall /
have one) for the immediate emancipation Of all
the slaves in the State, II their owners choose |
TO free them and send them out of the State
Further than that We are not, at present, pre- |
pared to 60.
This article is brief enough, but it possesses
significance and importance. The place Of its
publication gives It Importance. 1t is taken,
you perceive, from an influential paper pub
lished at Lexington, In the very heart Of that
section Of Kentucky, which, justly or upjustly,
is commonly regarded more welded to the
lpro-slavery interest than any other part Of the
State.
Yet even there, leading journal, indirectly
at least admits iAe evil Of slavery, for, surely
if the Editor did not regard slavery as an evil,
he could not desire Emancipation on any condi-
tons. We spesk Of the opinion Of the Editor
Of the Atlas upon this subject, as matter of
inference and Indirect admission, for this is ali
that the article before us authorises us to say;
but we should do injustice to our convictions of
the intelligence and fearless candor of the Edi-
tor, if We did not add that we believe him one
who decidedly regards slavery as an evil and
who stands ready at any time openly to avow
his opinion.
But IL is not because of Its tacit admission in
regard to the wrong of slavery, that we have
quoted this article from the Atlas, but for
another and more important consideration
The writer of this article expresses himself as
in favor Of the Immediate emancipation Of all
the slaves in the State, if their owners choose to
free them and send them out of the State.
"Send them on, of the State" this is the
point to which we could call attention. There
is no doubt that large majority Of the friends
of emancipation in Kentucky invariably con-
meet the idea Of the removal of the blacks from
!, the State with Emancipation, in fact, making
!, their removal a condition Of Emancipation.
e We do not stop now 10 ask whether they are
:, right or wrong We do not wish to argue this
matter at present 1t is one of vast importance,
!, iAvoving considerations appertaining to politi-
a cal economy well as humanity and justice, and
demanding the prooundest investigations of the
. wisest, most humane and Christian men.
The single poin, to which we would ask the
attention Of the friends Of freedom, especially
in the free States Is this supposing that eInan-
lcipation can be efected in Kentucky by the re-
moval Of the blacks CT portion of them from
the State, would you be willing to help on this
consummaton'
In what way, do you ask Many ways might
be suggested, but we WILL for illustration, speci-
fy two or three.
lst Are you Wiling to repeal all laws pro-
- hibisng the free blacks from settling In your
States, and are you willing also to invite them
!, to settle among you, by aPproprating to ahem
certain portions Of your respective States in
- comfortable LIVELIHOOD
y ID. Are you willing to contribute of your
" property to enable such blacks, as would desire
!" it, to 20 to Canada, and, there to be furnished
= with means Of subsistence until they should b.
S' able to support Themselves
L. Sd. Are you wiling to use your influence tc
induce Congress TO set apart certain portion o.
nc the territory recently acquired, or any othel
part of the national dsmain, for the residence o.
e the blacks, where they may live by themselve.
o. under the protection Of the general govern.
OF ment2
~ We might propose other modes Of action, but
IL these are sufficient for illustrations, and to cal
attention to the subject.
This is a matter which deeply interests us
I" We believe, we may confidently say We know
- that nothing would 20 much to encourage the
:" friends Of emancipation in our State, nothing
would so advance the cause, as the assurance Of
n the readiness of thu citizens Of the free States
!" to Cooperate with usin efforts for the welfsrs
!, Of the colorsd people II does no good for per.
:" sons at distance u denounce slavery, unlas,
:, they stand ready TO INSIST in Its removal Blu
let them come forward with their hearts In thcil
hands saying, "Brohers, this institution o.
slavery is evil and wrong; let Us help you to ee
'' rid of it. These unfortunate colored people or,
thrown upon us for guidance and aid; let u,
&c work together for tler improvement and hap
piness. Give then freedom and we will htl,
you cheerfully, gladly, to the very extent Of oul
!" means, in any right way, in providing for thei
u welfare" Let this ground be taken generally b,
the friends of freedom, ant the influence o
those friends would be inestmable. Then tn,
citizens Of the slave States would feel that th,
es anti-savery sentiment of tle free States is n,
IN selfish emotion, but genuine love of freedom
to a sincere desire for the Improvement Of th,
DC backs. At present the itea prevails very ex
Is tensively that the citizen Of the free States
n though ready to denoune slavery and slave.
u holders, have no very profound regard for tn,
n blacks. This opinion, whether Just or not, il
lg Its general application, certainly finds supper
s, in the conduct of mani citizens Of Ohio TO-
u wards John Randolph semancipated slaves, an.
in the laws and customs in some Of the fire.,
States which amountvirtually to an excusio,
Of the blacks from those States. Let this opin
ion be proved incorrect; let the friends of free
~ dom in the free States show their regard for tn
blacks by readiness TO receive them into thsi
y States and to provide for their well being eve,
at some sacrifice; tie effect would be incalcula
Ia