The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-05


he assembly, every one YEAS impressed with thu
humber Of men, whose white locks indicated d
near approach to the confines Of the spirit-land,
and whose csllm presence seemed to throw an
air Of sacrecness sround. II was gratifying
Thing to all the friends 81 eraancipation to see
these aged men enlisted in the good cause, but
it was more gratifying TO see with what earnest
ness and hopefulness they engaged In the work. |
None brought TO the Convention more san |
guineness o. hope or discrimination Of purpose
than they.
or the Talents and moral worth Of the men,
bers of the convention, one needs no other
proof than would be afforded by the simple
enunciation Of the names Of Breckinridge,
Nicholas, Clay, Robinson, Young, and many
others too numerous to mention. Such proof,
however, is unnecessary, for it is admitted by
the opponents as well as by the friends Of
emancipation, that an assembly embodying more
intelligence and moral worth never was con-
vensd in kentucky.
3. The dsliberstions Of the convention were
in accordance with its object and with the
character Of lis members. The discussions
were serious, solemn even, as became subject of
such vast importance, yet earnest and exciting.
Never have we listened TO addresses of more
thrilling eloquencs, Of more transcendant pow
er, than the two pronounced by Rev. Robt. J.
Breckenridge. At times, while he spoke, the
silence Of the house was like the stiffness Of the
grave. At other times his words reused and
agitsted his hearers almost beyond their power
of self-control. Some Of the pictures drawn
by him in illustration Of slavery were appalling
Northumberland it "as the most atrocIous Of all
human institutions" AS a system (which de-
MES TO a whole class of human beings the
sacrednes9 of marriage and of home, compelling
them to live in a state of concubinage, for, in
the eye Of the law, no colored slave man is the
husband Of any wife in particular, ner any
slave woman the wife Of any husband in par
ticular; no slave man Is the father of any chill
dren in particular, and no slave child is the
child of any parent IN particular" When
abiding to the argument of pro-slavsry men
that the people have no right to interfere with
the relation between master and slave, because
the master has Il vested right, right of property
in his slave, Mr.. Breckinridge asked, with a
solemnity of tone and an earnestness of spirit
which thrilled and awsd every listener, "does il
never occur 20 these gentlemen that the highest,
the hSlissf Of all rights Is a mans right TO him
self"
These few expressions will give our readers
some idea of the lesding sentiment, the per-
vading spirit of Mr.. Breckinridge's addresses
but the addresses themselves, in his own ex.
quisite language, accompanied by his earnest
} manner, alone could enable one TO have con.
cePtiOn of their power and Of the effect pro.
J duced by their delivery.
Other speeches Of great ability were made
IN which We have no time 10 dwell. Suffice il
10 say that the discussions were Of a high order
such as became the greatness and solemnity o.
the subject.
: We have thus endeavOred 10 exhibit 70 oul
! readers some features Of the convention of In,
: 10Th. The friends Of emancipation throughou
kentucky have long looked forward with dee,
! interest TO the assembling OF this convention
Ihey hsSe nos looked In vain. IL was a cOnven
Ton Of which they may well be proud. Their,
Day be differences Of opinion in regard to Tn,
: course of action recommended, but there car
be no difference of opinion in regard TO tn,
< character Of the convention or the inaportan
: influence which It will Axarf II has conclu
sivsly proved that the feeling in behalf o
emancipation in this State prevails to degre,
which surprises alike friend and foe II exist
j aaIiong all classes, shareholders and non-slaye
holders Some of the largest Shareholders o
Kentucky were members OF the convention
> and among the most earnest and sanguine ad
. vOcates Of emancipation.
Thaeonveniion has disclosed another interest
ing and encouraging fact, viz: that the opposi
ton TO slavery Is by no means wholly bsses
uPonits imPolicy and unprO6tablsness, but. also
and greatly, upon its esse initial injustice anC
wrong. Nowords met a heartier response thar
those which exposed the fearful nature of In,
the institution, or those which indicated in tn,
heart Of the speaker regard for the welfare O.
the blacks as well as of the whites. Men, FOL
instance, Rev. w. L. BreekinrIdee, declared
with Characteristic openness and manliness
"Aas' IN eoVocaung The emancipation cause h,
was im2elled by an interest in the we'll being
OF the colered man as well as Of the white man
and when Mr.. Thornton, Of Bourbon, made AZ
earnest appeal in behalf of the "poor slave,
mere ~s1 universal and instantaneous re.
.P0nse' an irrePrsssibIe bathurst of applause
speaks well for the humanity of our State
mat such sentiments are SO widely prevalsn
and 50 deeP-seated. They make the fnal sue.
cess Of the emancipation movement absolutel,
certain, ana they afford guarantee that eman.
ielpstiOn, whenever it may be effected, will b.
effected in just and wise and kind way, in /
way that will promote the happiness and p rOs.
Perity Of all concerned.
Crisssaden Ceussy.
friend writing from Marion, Crittender
fanf.r l.