The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-23
The Ex citemcnt on the Slavery Question
Danger to tho Union.

The whole country is getting crazy on the sub
ect Of slavery. In the North, in the South, in the
East in the West, among all parties and all fac
tons, this excitement to be increasing every
day, and spreading in every direction. Unprinci-
pied, ambitious men, of all parties, and in every
section, have seized on this question, and are
deavoring to make IT hobby, which to ride into
local power or local consequence. AL alike.
The great men of the great factions, such Clay
and Van Buren,, now present the spectacle of imi-
tating the conduct Of Garrison, Abby Folsom, and
the enthusiasts Of New-Engand, who have been
lauehsd at for the last quarter Of a century. Mr..
Calhoun aud portion Of the South, have come
out and are endeavoring to stem this terrible tor
rent; but what can a portion of the United States
do In the face of the rage of the day, the unprn-
crled ambition of politicians, the passions of the
human heart, and the natural growth of fanatacsn,
in an age that Graves for excitement Of any kind =
fItm hberang the blacks, to digging gold in Cali
fornia
What is to be the issue Of the present position
and tendency of all the parties and factions In this
Unionl Some fatal and deplorable collision must
take place; some terrible explosion is being engen
dered, that will entail disgrace on civilization, and
probably bring about the dissolution of this fair
csnfederacy.
The great cry Is the Liberation of the African
race from the state Of bondage in which they are
held in the South, the restriction of the sys-
tenn Of seryiude TO where IL IT, and the non-extcn-
sion Of il TO any of the territories towards the
West. What Is the condition of the African race
in this country, and why il that the whole white
population Of this republic running into terri
bic and formidable excitement In relation to this
isolated question concerning particular race liv
ing within their bordersl
The African race was first introduced Into thus
continent more than century ago, on its discovery
by Europe. The history of the slave trade, which
was carried on principally by the Eastern States is
we'll known 10 all who have investigated the matter.
Since that time, the African race and their social
and political position have diverged into four differ
cnt systems presenting diileren, characteristics and
having different results, both on their own cond-
ton and on that Of the white race by whom they
are surrounded
The fret OF original system or condition in which
we find the African race this continent, is that
Of slaves purchased on the coast Of Africa brought
to this country, applied to labor, and kept under a
Of military subsection, without regard to life or
comfort. This system still prevails in Cuba and
Brazil, and il may be truly called system Of mill
tary slavery or Of military tyranny, for they enjoy
but little comfort under its rigid sway. To supply
the deaths occasioned by this system Of slavery,
the slave trade stl exists, in clandestne manner
to be cure, although both Brazil and Spain agreed.
by treaty, to abolish that infamous traffic
The tecond system OF social serviude in which
we find the African race on this continent, is that
which we see in the Southern States Of this Union
II is true the race was planted IN the South by
purchase and importation from Africa-those inn
portations and purchases being made by the ances-
tors Of the very came people who, in the Eastern
and Northern States, arc now railing against sa-
very, and exciting the whole country on the ques-
ton but the revolution, and the separation OF the
United States from British ascendency, introduced
great change in the condition Of the colored race
in the South, and since that tim: they have in
creased and multiplied in a great degree, under
what may be called patriarchal system. in which
their comforts and advantages are identified with
the soil, as much as those OF the white race them
sclves, or the nominal proprietors. According to
the statements Of all unprejudiced persons who
have travelled extensively among the plantations
Of the South, il is admitted that more comfortable
or bsrpier race does not exist 10 any portion Of
the world, among laboring population Of that
color than will be found IN the Southern States.
There are, indeed, individual exceptions; but ct
ceptions will occur in the best orders Of society,
and among the best and most intelligent people.
The neat condition in which we find the colored
OF African race on this continent is that which we
see m the free states of this Union, or in the Bri-
tish West ladies', since the Emancipation act was