The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-26

clau sage ENDORSED Oy an hpOstieS- wv
munications good morals corrupt" And II |
matters not where they are promulgated nor by |
whom expressed. ! am aware, indeed. that |
many Christian parents endeayor TO eounteract
these sinister influences, both by precePt anu
example, but their efforts are occasional and
sporadic, while the opposing and contamlnaliig
influence is constant and epidemical,
But 1t WILL doubtless, be alleged that hired
servants and nurses are not, in the aggregate,
much preferable. This with me, at one time,
passed for an apology but il ceased 10 be salf;-
factory. Hired servants are more easily ehsSged,
and then their Influence, where evil, is but oc-
casonal; whereas slaves are always present and
their influence constant and familiar Besides,
however inexplcable the mystery the fact is IN
controvertible, that children are generally more
attached to black than to white tants, more
unreservedy under their influence, and more
initiative of their FccuiaTitieB--than Of those
of white persons. Still, parents having choice
In the employment Of white servants, can Sc
lect and dismiss at pleasure, aud as Christians
they are bound to reprobate those Of contami
mating influence, and prefer those Of moral and
Christian character.
But If contamination must be the conse-
quenee under any foreign influence, whether
in the form of hired servants or Of slaves, the
Christian parent can neither justify himself nor
be justified in exposing his infant offspring
knowingly and willingly 10 such influences
lnay imperil their moral character and their
eternal destiny. SO that the question before us
is not a choice Of evils, but reputation OF all
evil influences in this most delicate and absorb
ing Of all interests on earth.
But We must press this point IA little farther.
The intercourse between master and a slave,
however Kind aud generous the former, and
however plant and Obedient the latter, is, on
the one side, essentially dogmstcal, absolute,
and lordly, on the other side, cringng, servile
and abject. Master and servant, it is true, are
cOrrelate terms but not more so than tyrani
and slave. We may, indeed, have severe mas
tiers and mild tyrants, surly servants aud agree
able slaves. But there is a lawless absolutism
on the part OF slave master, and an unre-
stricted submission on the part of his slave that
constitute the essential and differeniial attri-
butes of the relation while there is but lin
tied authority on the part of an ordinary mas
ter, and reserved rights the part Of a hired
servant, that compared with the former, rem
ders the litter relation safe, virtuous and hon
orable.
Moreover, the intercourse of the parties in
The latter relation, is always maintained under
the possibility, and frequently under the pToba-
bility Of exchange OF circumstances either in
the parties themselves in their immediate
descendants, which greatly modiiies aud moder
ates the feelings and conduct OF the parties
which can never enter into the Constituency oil
consideration Of legalised master and slave.
| Cruel masters are few compared with the hu-
name, yet the tendency Of the relation is TO de
grade rather than 10 elevate the servant, and &c
render naughty and tyIannical the master
There is a certain point, above which the ser
want dare not be elevated, and certain pOin
below which, the master must not descend
These exhibitions are uniavorable TO the prope
"'"rai education and development Of children
The inieriOrily and Comparative ua,,Iies re- =
the negro race, owing both 10 nature aud TO cir
cumsiances, is most Unfortunate as respects ia,
moral culture of the young masters and mis-
tresses-the children Of Christian shareholders
Their stupidity or comparative dulIness call
forth corresponding dogmatc austeriiy an,
Pleonastic authoIitaiiveness on the part Of mas
tiers aud mistresses in issuing their instruction
aud mandates, greatly unfortunate to their ov
children. They cannot distinguish how muel
Of this manneTism grows out of the dullness o
the servant or out Of the attitude Of the master
Before il can make this Discrimination its tast
is vitiated and its habits are formed. Som
Christian masters Of real discrimination and O
good taste, will not, on this account, on an,
occasion, issue an ill-tempered, unfoeling o
lordly mandate in the presence of his child wei
knowing that it would acquire the habit befor
IL COulu comprehend the most lustluable Iedspl
which he could PROFOUND.
But il would be the work Of a volume ratbe
than Of sheet 10 develope the moral tende ncie
Of this unfortunate institution, in the midst O
u republican and Christian people. Ii seems Il
be equally opposed in it's spirit nd te ndescy. a
ordained and established on our statute books
TO both. True, indeed, as We have bsfor
abundanily proved the relation Of master an,
STARE, or, many prefer 10 express il, n,asts
and serUaHi, is recognized in the Law and IN,
Gospel of God. But the evangelical use q
this relation is that which few seem 10 comprs
hend.-Theaa Christian master rendering 10 mi
servant that which is "jHsi and eoggP' o,
Christian principles, seems vet a mystery I,
myriads of nominal Christians. Were tina
Christian Preeept interpreted aud applied Ac
coTding 10 the genius and spirit Of Christianity
the servant would be more an object of enV,
thar his master. But existing laws and instj
tutions in Virginia aud Kentucky are greatI,
adverse TO the rights Of man and The rights o
Christians III these particulars, and constiiu
tional reforms are necessary and unavoidable
The genius OF the age II against Slavery. A
King in Virginia or Kentucky would not be /,
the eye Of Europe and the civilized world, NOR,
anomalous aud discordant than Slavery viii
the genius Of our political institutions and IN,
boosted liberty and progress Of our country.
A time has come in Kentucky when IN,
Christian population Of that noble and rapid,
advancing State will speak and vote like Chris
tians al the polls, and demonstrate its love O
liberty and right, by extending them 10 ever,
thing In the form of man that breathes ia .i
or treads its soil. 1t will be her greatest honor
rs am sure it will be her greatest interest. 1,
be first in this great work.
Ii is no utopian scheme that has been ofTare,
by her greatest statesman. Its only fault /,
that its inclined plane is too long. On that nc.
count il will be the more practicable, the NOR,
popular, and the of effect But II will
move more rapidly than many seem 10 think
IL will msasurably free kentucky of this incu.
bus in half the time contemplated, and thai
without the sacrifice OF any real interest rs
being first in this great cause, she will lose less
and gain more than any Slave State in A America
But II is her State honor, her moral character
her Christian excellence, her social happiness
that desire TO see advanced and consummated
| Proerastinationin this case would be folly, con.
sunmate folly. 1t can be easier ard more safe
" done now than at any future period. The
obstacles will always increase. Ii there Is one
good reason this year, there will be two ne II
year, and so on, in constant progression. II Is
emancipation now, or Slavery forever:
With this view and in these feelings I mako
these suggestions. Though hastily sketched. in
the midst OF many interruptions and withou,
| revision, they are dictated by an attachment,
which is not ieigned and an admiration which
Is not protested for people dear 10 me from,
many associations, and ia whose political moral
and religious elevation | cannot but take the
greatest interest. | believe have as MANY
tue, personal and cherished friends in that
great Commonwealth as any one in Virginia
could have, and II is in this belief and under