Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-03-09
By REQUEST.
From the n. y ObSe,rer.
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

week to the address of the Southern conven-
! ton on the slavery question. This subject
has now become deeply interesting. and in the
view of some, threatens the stability of our
/ happy Union. 1t is time, therefore, that all
who love their country should reflect serious
ly and prayerfully upon it, and speak and act
| as becomes Christian patriots. Our own views
on the general subject have been frequently
given; but we regard this as proper moment
/ for referring again to those considerations
which should induce the North to avoid all
action and language in reftrAnce to slavery,
which will unnecessarily irrtate the South.
Among these are the following
| 1st, Or Southern brethren are noiresDonsi-
! BILE for the origin Of the erii.
Slavery was forced upon the American peo-
pie by Britain, to CRAFTY her vile lust of gold
in opposition to the entreaties and remonstran-
ces of the wise and good in every part of the
land, and III every period of its colonial his
tory.
Cd, II is not easy noao to get rad Of tie evH
suddenly.
Slavery is the fundamental law upon which
all the political institutions of the South have
been based from the beginning. That law
was established by Britain at the very COM
mencement of the political existence of those
communities. 1t gave to the white man des-
potic power over the negro 1t constituted
the whites privileged class-the aristocracy
of the land. The abolition of slavery in the
| South would be, In other words, voluntary
surrender by this aristocracy of the power and
privileges which they hold under the ancient
| law Of their country. Ought we to be surpri-
sed if the surrender should not be made sud
denly, even though demanded by public senti-
ment IN the North, and in every other civil
lied country the globe! Where, in histo-
ry, IS there an example of the surrender by
an arlstocracy of their ancient powers and
privileges, however earnest the damand for
their surrender, when that demand was not
backed by competent physical force! No
one wishes to see slavery abolished in the
South by physical force, and without physic-
al force, il would bea moral miracle if it were
abolished suddenly. We must not be to i'm
patient.
Sd, Our SoutAsrn brethren, hare done more
TO get rid gf tie eUil than could hare been reg
s0za055 been G1tici9Gted
When we reflect upon the demoralizinq
character Of slavery, and the distractions Il
opposes to improvement, physical, intellect
ual, and moral, we are prone to think at the
North that there can be nothing good in
community where such an institution exists.
Tie census ofI840, however, shows that there
are, as the result Of voluntary emancipation. |
IN little Delaware, II ,O00 free blacks, or more
than five-siXths Of the whole negro popula- |
ton OF that state; in Maryland, 90 600 free |
blacks, or nearly one-half of the negro popu-
latlon Of that state; Virginia, so, 000 free ne
groes; IN louisiana, 25 200; and in all the |
slave holding States, 2I5,000 free blacks. |
whose value as slaves, at the moderate esti- 1
mate Of $500 each, would be more than $780, /
100000 more that the boosted ego ,OOO,-
600 which Britain paid for the emanc. patton !
OF her West India negroes !--more than the aq-
gregate OF the state debts of the whole slave /
holding section of the Union. This vast sum /
OF money is the voluntary sacrifice made |
by Southern shareholders on the altar of anti
slavery feelings and principles In maxine
lt,thouSands OF noble minded men have redu-
ced themselves from afluence to poverty
One would think that such men could he safe
ly trusted with the management of the anti
slavery cause in their own states.
4th, Christ and has apostles did not denouuee
or fyritafe the sEagehohler
They lived and preached in countries where
the law gave man despotic power over his fell
lows, but they did not denounce the law or
the men who held power under it. They did
not require the despot TO abdicate or the slave
holder to emancipate his slaves, without re-
gard to consequences. Paul did not aid and
abet Oneslmus in his escape from his master.
nor did he threaten to cut his connection with
the master, II he continued to employ the Ia
Dor OF the slave. He used no harsh enitbe+s
lie called philemon, STAKEHOLDER as he was
his '.dearly beloved fellow lahorer'' in the
gosple, and thanked God for his s.loye and
taith,' and all his noble Christian graces-
lie sent back the peniless slave to his master
with courteous, conciliatory, and aaact;on-
ate letter, calculated to soften the FEELINGS IA
render all the future intercourse of the 1art;a.
pleasant and profitable. '''''
otn, ne re- 6t5|s method Of dealing Nth the
Al Bible Is tho cOu-oo -
al liberty we enjoy. When ever its princi-
pies are heartily embraced, slavery, or al least
the evil OF slavery, is sure to die. But how
does 1t effect this : BY denouncinp the law
and stlgmatslng all who hold power under
IT. No. kdoes not seek to change the Law,
as the hrst great thing. 1t seeks firstto cbanre
the heart OF the master. 1t goes to him. and
In the accents of Christian love and kindness
tells him THAT his slave is his brother nd
In the image of God his father; an obiac+ e
ms oayior.s most tender love; endowed lilo
hitlseH with an immortal soul /; possessed of
powers which will expand forever: canahla
OF Deing htted here, In the momentary life ~
ENJOY inefdbie glory with God in Heayen
thfough endless ages; and that such ha;ra,
SHOULD be treated with all the considarat;nss
due TO his near relationship, his vast csnacl
tues, and his lofty destir, T.