The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-14

rious to TIE State, aud aHnihiiate SEQ OOO, GOO Of
its VsalA; that being the estimated value of the
Slaves,
1. 1t is a sufhcien reply to this, that no plan
OF Emancipation lslikely tobe agreedu upon which
Will affect, except remotely, the value Of the
present generation Of slaves.
p 1t is only in an inferior sense that slaves
are wealth TO the State. They are less valuable
to commonwealth than horses OF mules, for il
one of themis capitalypunished the State has TO
pay for him; and since the adoption Of the pres
ent constitution, there has been paid out from
the public Treasury more than $50 900 foTslaves
thus punished. IL this sum was invested in
stocks, at six per cent it would be sufficient 10
pay annually for the education Of III children.
But it went into the Save holdens pocket TO ena-
bic him to buy another slave, though it was
wmng by the tax gatherer from the scanty cam
ings of the poor. Wealth TO the State indeed!
3. IL 4 slaVe is worth $500 TO the State, how
much is a freeman WORTH ann not skilled in
such matters but judgethat one freeman is for
all political purposes, equal TO five slaves Ac-
cOrding TO the Constitution OF the United States
three-ffths Of the slave population, in any given
distinct, are made.paTt Of the constituency Of a
member Of CongTes.. Should Kentucky adopt a
system of emancipation, she would gain aceoI-
ding to the present apPOrtionment one member
IN Congress. Is this nothngl Is power in the
National Councils nothing? Kentucky stands
up proudly as the great cOnservatOT of the Union
Her strength must be m proportion to her repre-
sentation in Congress. Again,--aIe free whites
of any value TO the State! How many Of these
have heen lost from il in consequence Of slavery.
Multitudes have fed from the presence of slave
~, who, but for it, would have remained pina- y
ofstrength to the State, Mulutudes are at this
moment standing with stats in their hands,
snXiously watching the heaving sea Of public
sentment-ready if this struggle for freedom
avails nothing, TO drop the tear OF regret upon
the graves Of ancestors and bid a sad long adiou
to the land Of their nativity. Does the Common
wealth suffer no loss when her brave, generous
and noble-minded sons turn away from hera
4. The objection is deliberate weighing Of
human liberty against dollars and cents and de-
Gliding that these are Of more value than that
What American heart is notpained by the shame
ful plea-Liberty is above all price," Giue me
liberty or gire ne DEATH
S. It is objected TO emancipation, that il will
rob SHAREHOLDERS of their property. To this it
may be replied
1. That slavery is in most cases, improbable
to the owners individuslly-as it is TO the State
,. That any healthy slave will pay for him.
self in ten years-and as tie master puts on
him no additional value he loses nothing when
he receives back the original cost and interest
3. The negrois a MAS Invested of his nights,
and equal and exact justice requires us to lOok to
his interest also.
4. II there is any force in the objection now,
lapse Of time cannot weaken it. The interest Of
the master VIII always be a barrier to emanci-
patton, come when II may.
s. II can be demonstrated that the gain to
Shareholders in other things would more than
counterbalance any loss sustained by emancipa-
ton.
G. Ii Is objected that tie discussion will pro
duce agitation and strife. This no one doubts
nor will refusal to act upon II prevent agita.
ton. The waters are tronbled 10 rest no more
until slavery Is extPated. Nor is he time.-
| The world is struggling for freedom; in Europe
old established forms Of oppression are decsyIne
men are putting on their stTength-and We re
iasoe IN the enlargement Of thair liberty. Italy
the land OF Genius and Song, for centunes cuIsed
with snirOn despOtism has hesysd off the bUrder
and tastes the sweets OF liberty. We look upor
these melting chains and then upon our slaves
Is not liberty as dear 10 the Afncan as 10 The
Italianl We call Ours the mOdel republic! The
worlds bescon-hght to freedom. Shall the ban
neT which waves to the breeze bear the impress
Of "the Uiiest system Of oppression the sun eUe
shoRe 0Hi' Slavery furnishes its glory-fade.
its stnpes-clouds its staB and stamps il witt
dlshonoT Let US wipe II out.
Other considerations might be urged, bu
enough has been offered TO satisfy the honest in
quirer that it is his duty TO begin now the gTea
loork Of re-investing the slave with his nights.
!. At future time I may resume the subject.
i CLEROS.
Under the Bridge, March 20, is49.