The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-25

4
what they think about slavery. Ono Of the
foremost Kentuekians Of the State, referring TO
this correspondence, writes us:
"Nei,her the letter to the Judge, nor his an
swer are all would have had them, but they
show progress. think the Judge deserves the
warmest thanks for his manly and prompt reply,
although it is not exactly TO my wish. feel
increased respect for him-as We all do. We
are not discouraged-we expect to succeed. But
how can we, unless We labor for itI''
This is the right spirit Give us sixty-four
men like these Of Barren, in each county in the |
State having the courage TO take stand for
emancipation, and the magnanimity TO hail such
men as Judge GRAHAM, even when differing
from them in opinion, assam upright and noble
man-and in six months We should have the
question of slavery as openly discussed as any
other question now before the public.
This is the first point TO be gained. Every
where slavery is discussed, except ia public; it
is the topic Of discourse in halls, cabins, steam
boats, stages; but the press and pulpit silent,
and our public men literally dumb. How shall
they be electrified How made to speak, BY
citizens of every county pursuing the course the
men of Brrren have pursued; for how could
any public man refuse TO respond honestly to
band Of citizens so respectful in demeanor, so
earnest in purpose, so pure in lfe'
Many of our citizens dread the agitation of
the slavery question, "because," say they, "it
will convulse the State to its very centre"
There is some danger Of this. And the danger
increased because Of the excitable character of
our people. Old residents look back upon the
heated divisions Of the Old and New Court par
ties, with unming!ed dread, and would rather en-
counter. or bear any evil than such tornado Of
passion, and hate, and revenge. But there is q
guaranty in the cause of emancipation, and bet.
ter yet, in the character Of its advocates, which
, renders this dangerl less threatening-nay, which
makes it certain, almost, that We shall escap,
/, ALL excess in the fullest, freest discussion o
slavery. Who could quarrel with the men o
Barrenl Who find any ground for violence, O.
excess, in their spirit They are resolute an,
in earnest, but they would so act in behalf 0
freedom as to do no hurt TO master man
/. They are for justice, yet in exacting it, the,
: will labor to advance the greatest good Of al
And this is, and will be the temper of the advo
Gates of freedom in Kentucky.
But larger number of our citizens refuse {
!. express their opinions, or urge emancipation, i
any form, "becsuse," say they, 1--WE are uKabl
!, to accomplish anything" Does not the aetio
Of the brave men Of Barren refute all that ma
or can be said, in this mood Who are they
q Not titled, not wealthy nor proud, not distin
guished for station or great learning, but plair
, honest, true-heartei citizens. And did Judg
. GRAHAM hesitate to respond to their letter II
answered them promptly, and like man. An
>, yet suppose they had said, 1--WE can DO nothin,
we have no influence, tits useless for us to Inak
any effort"-why, the result would have heel
that they would have done nothing. The wa
!. to accomplish any work is to feel that we ca
do it. The poorest man who has an instinct
There can be, indeed, no such thing failu
to body Of men who work in this resolu
spirit, and faith.
A great man, referring to this doubling, da
!, lying, dO-nothing policy, rebukes its folly, an
exposes its absurdity, as follows:
i
'e a far country, TO learn the ways OF the wonde
re full Greeks, and perhaps to teach them the gre,
lore he treasured in his heart The wise me
A heard him; sought his company in the garoen
talked with him in private. Tie young me
D. loved him. He passed for a wonder with thu
b, wonder-loving people. Among those that 70
a ls~-d him, was ih. son of Sophroniscus, an i'll
a favored young man, mechanic OF huinb
~ rank. He was one Of the few who understoo
g the dark, Oriental doctrines of tho Sage. whe
,r he spoke of God, Man, Freedom, Goodness,
=. the Life that never dies. The young man sa'
these doctrines were pregnant with actions, an
would one day work Revolution in the affair
of men, disinherting many an ancient sin no'
. held legitimate.
$50 he said TO himself, when he saw ma
n rich famous-oh, that / also were rich, an
famous, | would move the world as soon. Her
= sins to be plucked up and truths TO be plant
e ed. Oh that could do il all, would mend tn
world right soon. Yet he did nothing but wa
for Wealth and Fame. One day the Sage hear
him complain with himself, and said, 'Youn
man, thou speakest as silly women. The Gosps
|, of God is writ for all Lsfhim roao ,oould NOR
n the porld, first more himself. He that would d
% good to men begins with what tools God give
II him, and gets more as the world gets on.
= asks neither Wealth nor Fame, to live nobl
life al the end Of thy lane in Athens. Make tn
: Light thy Life; thy Thought, Action; other
Q will come round. Thou askest place TO stan,
o on hereafter, and move the world. fooiisl
young man, take il where thou standest an
!, begin now. So the work shall 90 forward. Re
}, form thy little self, and thou hast begun TO re
E form the world. Fear not thy work shall die"
1.-The youth took the hint; reformed himsel
OF his coarseness, his sneers, of all meannes
that was In him. His Idea became his Life
and that blameless and lovely. His Truth pas
sed into the public mind as the sun into the cir
His influence passes like morning from cont
nent TO continent, and the rich anc the poor ar,
blessed by the light, and warmed by the life o
} Socrates, though they know not his name"
The men Of Barren understand this They
would move Kentucky, and they first moved
, themselves. ave are not discouraged" say
they; Eve expect to succeed. But how can we
unless we labor for itl" Aye, how can We
Begin now, begin with what experience you
have-stick TO it early and ate-fearing NO fail.
ure-fearing no coldness, nor frowns, but brav.
ing them all with Iightness of spirit, intrepidity
Of bearing, and joyous liberation and forbear.
ance, and THY WORK SHALL NOT DIE.
New Song.