The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-20

or in the more direful event of dissolution {
the Union in consequence of the existence {
slavery, Kentucky would become the theatr
and bear the brunt CT the war. She woul
doubtless defend herself with her known valo
and gallantry but the superiority of the mum
bers BY which she would be opposed wou
lay waste and deyastate her fair fields. He
sister slave States would fly TO her succor but
Ieven if they should be successful in the une
quail conflict, she never could obtain any in
demnity for the inevitable Iavages of the wal
%. II may be urged that We ought not, b,
the gradual abolition of slavery, to separate
ourselves from the other slave States, but con
tinue to share with themtin all their future
fortunes. The power of zach slave State
within its limits, over the institution of slave
~, is absolute, supreme: and exclusive-ex
elusive of that of Congress or that of any 9th
er State. The government Of each slave State
is bound by the highest and most solemn obi
cations TO dispose of the question Of slavery
so as best to promote the peace, happiness and
prosperity OF the people of the State. Ken
lucky being essentially farming State, slave
labor is less profitable. If, in most OF the other
slave States, they find that labor more profta.
bic, in the culture of the staples of cotton and
sugar, they may perceive reason in that feel
ing of continuing slavery, which cannot be ex-
pected should control the judgment Of Ken
lucky, as to what may be fitting and proper for
her interests. If she should abolish slavery, IT
would be her duty, and trust that she would
be rs ready as she now is, TO defend the slave
States in the enjoyment of their lawful and
constitutional rights and her power, political
and physical, would be greatly increased for
the one hundred and ninety odd thousand
slaves and descendants would be gradually st-
perseded BY an equal number of white inhab-
itants, who would be estimated per capita, and
not BY the federal rule of three fifths prescrib-
cd for the colored race in the constitution Of
the United States.
%. have thus, without reserve, freely
expressed my opinion and presented my
views. The interesting subject of which
| have treated would have admitted of
much enlargement, but have desired TO
consult breyiiy. But The plan which l
have proposed will hardly be accused of
being too early in its commencement or
too rapid in IFS operation. 1t will be more
likely 10 meet with contrary reproaches if
adopted. 1t is to begin "a or 80 years
from the time Of its adoption, as the one
period or The other shall be selected for
its commencement How long a time il
will take to remove all the colored race
from the State by the annual Transports
ton Of each years natural increase, cam
not be exactly ascertained. After the
system had been in operation some years,
| think it probable, from The manifest
blessings that would flow from it, from the
diminished value OF slave labor, and from
he humanity and benevolcnce Of private
prompting Liberation of their
slaves and their transportation, general
disposition would exist to accelerate and |
the work of colonization.
"a. But that the system will be attend |
ID with some sacrifices on the part Of
shareholders, which are to be regretted,
need not be denied. What great and |
beneficial enterprise was ever accomplish
20 without risk and sacrifice? But these |
sacrifices are distant, contingent, and in
Assuming the year 1860 |
for the commencement of the system, all
slaves born prior 10 that time would res
main such during their lives. and the per-
sonal loss of the STAKEHOLDER would be on
ly the difference in value of female
slave whose offspring, if she had any,
born after the first day, of January, 1860,
should be free at the age Of twenty FIVE,
or should be slaves for life. In the mean
time, if the right to remove or sell the
slave out of the State should be exercis-
ed, that trifing loss would not be incur
red. The stakeholder, after the com,
mencement of the system, would lose the
difference in value between slaves for life
and slaves until the age Of twenty-five.
He might also incur some inconsiGcrable
expense in rearing, from their birth, the
issue of those who were to be fr a;
twenty until they were old enough TO
be apprenticed out but as it is probable
that they would be most generally bound
to him, he would receive some indemnity
for their services until they attained their
majority.
%. Most Of the evils, losses and mis-
fortunes Of human life have some COM
pensation or alienation The STAKEHOLDER
is generally landholder, and am per-
sudueu THAT ne WOulQ mo IN tHe augment
ed productiveness of his lands, some, If
not full indemnity for losses arising to him
from emancipation and colonization. He
would also literally share in the general
benefits accruing to The whole State from
the extinction of slavery. These have
been so often and so fully stated, that
will not, nor is 1t necessary to dwell upon
them extensively. They may be summed
up in few words. We shall remove
from among US the communicating infiu>
ence Of a servile and degraded race of a
different color We shall enjoy the
proud and conscious satisfaction of plac-
ing that race where they can enjoy the
great blessings of liberty. and civil, polit-
ical and social equality; we shall acquire
the advantage of the diligence, the hdei-
ity, and the constancy Of free labor, in
stead of the carelessness, the inhdelity,
and the unsteadiness of slave labor we
shall elevate the social condition Of the
IL