The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-07-28

which are creating his fortunei"
saeredness Of the Marriage Tie.
One very striking view Of the subject Of
slavery we have often presented; and We won
der it does not produce its effect upon the mind
of every conscientious Ksntuck;an. The chris
tian religion ascribes sacred character to the
marriage relation; but our system Of slavery
does not recognise this relation among slaves.
Tbs master has the power Of sundering the
dearest ties-the most sacred obligations. He
may say 10 the slave: "Goi has joined you to
another in marriage; but tho law gives rue an
authority superior to that Of God. God has
commanded that no man shall break the mar
riage bond; but the law tells me | may break
1t whenever please. do what the law gives
me authority to do, regardless Of the commands
of God. His authority may be good In Heaven;
but our law does not recognise it, and / will
not" This is what the master says in effect
when he exercises the power given him by the
law Some masters co all that they can to
make the connection between slaves something
more than the law considers It; but thousand
circumstances may put an end to his control
over the matter. The law, which has been
watching for an opportunity, immediately rush
Is in and snaps the bond. II seems to delight
In the opportunity Of showing its defiance Of
| Heaven.
Slaves must be considered either human be.
ings or beasts. The law, 80 far rs regards mar
ri.ge, treats them as beasts. II any man class
Is them among hogs and dogs, there is no in-
consistency in his supporting the law. But
whoever ranks them above the tenants cf the
sty aud the kennel must see that the Law is in
direct opposition to Almighty God. 1t uses NO
circumlocutions to soften its language; but says
distinctly and decidedly that it dsregards the
commands Of the Ruler Of the Universe. How
can any one who processes TO believe in chris
tianty dare TO take his stand by such law in its
warfare against Heaven1
When any one attacks the sacredness of the
marriage obligation among the whites, shud-
Ger is felt throughout the land. The author Of
| the attack is denounced the enemy Of God
and society. Not only prOfessed Christians,
bet all who profess any regard for the well-be-
ing Of their fellow-men rise up against him.
Wherever a spark Of moral feeling exists, it
Is kindIsd into indignation. II Legislative
body were to pass a law imPairing the marriage
obligation, the members would be Kissed from
society and loaded with the sxecrations Of every
friend Of man. The same thing is done with
regard to the slaves, and ministers Of the Cos
pei, who profess to consider them human be-
ings, support the law. On socialists, conmu-
nisis and others who are accused Of want Of
regard for the sacredness Of the marriage state,
they pour out the walls of their indignation. II
the French Chamber of Deputies should estab-
lish Fourierism in France; the pupits Of our
country would thunder with denunciations of
the alleged heresies Of Fourier with regard to
marriage. But laws may be made In our own
country tranipling under foot the marriage OBJ
legation, and not whisper Of disapprobation is
heard from those who support the system Of
slavery.
This is very important matter; and yet it is
completely ignored by the reverend supporters
Of our slave-system. We have no controversy
with them on the subject Of slavery in the alb
and paper in conducting such useless discus
sions. Those who are defending eur system
should certainly strive to make il "slavery in
the abstract" But no. They take it as it h.,
with its acknowledging provisions staring them
In the face, and support the whole! Suppose
that an attempt were made to establish among
us the Spartan custom Of reducing the slaves
to the state Of beasts by intoxication in order
that the children Of the masters might be de-
TERED from drnnkenness-would not a univer-
sal cutlery he heard7 But beasty as Is drunk
enness, Is not half 50 degrading as system Of
fornication and adultery. 1t is strange how the
moral feelings Of a community may be blunted.
The poet Is right when he tells us that vice
may be seen 80 oft that "we first endure, then
pity, then embrace Men who shrink from
vice when ii presents itself in any other form,
look upon ID. with conplAcency when it comes
in this shape. The DEVILS ugly tail is easily
transformed into gentlemaniy cue.
We wish the people ofKentucky would give
this matter some attention. How can any one
who has p article Of moral feeling pass it by7
The moral View of the subject is lar above all
Pecuniary Considerations. The jingling Of dol.
lars and cents and the idle chatter Of sta tistics
cannot be heard here. EInsncipstioniss are
sometimes sneered at when they lake any but
an ecoRouSiea al view of slavery. But who will
deny that this feature Of ths system 10 morally
wro.gf If it is right, let II be proved 10 be 30.
We cali upon every upholder of siavery. and
upsn ey cry one who considers the subject q
very rfifing affair, 10 tell us why this i, not a
very important view Of the matter. Prove IL,
PROVE IL. Say something about IL. Speak two
or three words at least 10 show why IL In not
wo' 9TH regarding. Do not close yeur mouths.
HI we you a consciencs' What does Il say1
II axe pity upon your fellow citizens, sne diOpsl
aeir error, il they are in error This dsad si-
renee on the subject is the worst feature In the
case. Speak, IL it is only to rebuks ms.
Some men with very high opinion Of their
own wisdom sneer at everything like . moral
view Of this point. II any one brings forward
anything Of the kind. they look down upon him
with assli'ssfieient smil| Of confsspt, and tell
him that taia is taking moral view Of the sub
ject. and intimate that thsy are far above such
iowvisws % such men Ipp.pd 70 say that hey