The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-07-07
h the Centinasnes Of Slavery I'm Kentucky
Necessary 60 the Contiuance ofthe Uuione


Is the Centinasnes Of Slavery In Kestucky
Necessary 60 the Continuance ofthe Uniens
One Of the arguments which the Kentucky
pro-slsvery men rely on very confidently In
their efforts against Emancipation is that IT ia
wealth az q means Of perpetusting the Union.
The logic BY which this apparently very strange
conclusion is reached is as follows:-As long as
the institution Of slavery is maintained in Ken
tucky, she will side with the South in resisting
the aggressions of the North. Abolish slavery
a,d she will unite with the North, and the
South, becoming desperate under repeated at
tsoks, W ill dissolve the Union.
Nov, this is put forth as sufficient reason
why Emancipation in Kentucky ought not 10
be attempted at present. Slavery must be pei
petusted In this Commonwealth to protect the
Union. 1t may be well perhaps to examine
this argument and expose its absurdty. And,
first, let Us see what il the extent of the az
erosion under which the South is TO break up
our political bands.
The North makes aggressions on the South
by contending that the territories Of New Mex.
leo and California should not be invaded by the
institution Of slavery. In thus contending,
does the North make more aggression on the
South than the South makes on the North by
eontending that slavery shall be extended into
the territories acquired from Merico7 Further
the North is making aggressions on the
South by insisting on the abolition Of slavery
in the District Of Columbia. We believe 10
intelligent man expects any other aggressions
on the South than these. 1t is true that some
argue that the North viii go further and insist
On the abolition Of slavery in the States. This
position however is not sustained by much au-
fho<ity Very fam nf .en.e hAliaua the,
the MASSES Of the Northern people can ever be
induced to take step in violation Of the con-
stitution, and all men know that Congress has
no power over the question Of slavery in the
States. The only aggressiOns that are appre-
hended by men Of sense consist in efforts in
Congress TO exclude slavery from territories in
which it has no present existence, and to sbol-
ish 1t in the District Of Columbia. The people
Of Kentucky are gravely told that il they de-
cree transcription, these sggressions will be-
come 90 aggravated that the South will submit
no longer 10 a compact under which il is liabl.
70 continual insult.
So far a. the question of slavery in the terri
tones goes, We are glad to be able to say that a
vast majority Of the people of the territories
are utterly opposed to the introduction Of the
system among them. Slavery can be intro
duced only by their willing it, of which there is
not the remotest probability, or by act of Con-
grsss lsgalising IT in the territories, which no
Intelligent man believes possible. There is
therefore no reason why any one should feel
much anxiety in relation TO the extension of
slavery beyond its present very wide limits. |
The people Of California are on the eve ofform- |
ing q State Government which will be submit |
ted to the next Congress. Beyond all doubt,
this constitution will exclude slavery, and II |
must Of necessity pass Congress. This will set
tie the question Of slavery and the sggressions
of the North 50 far as California 10 concerned.
New Mexico has already protested against the
introduction Of negro slavery there, and as the
system meets with no advocates in that terrific.
~, il is not at all likely that it can be extended
ovsrIt The institution Is already most effect
uslly black in both of the Mexican ter
ritories, and the question with reference to them
10 virtually settled by the concurrent will Of the
people
Slavery being excluded from New Mexico
and Cslifsrnis by the vii Of the people of those
territories, all Northern aggression on the
South in relation TO the institutions Of those
territories VIII necessarily cease. The only
remaining opportunity left to the North to
trsmple on the rights Of the South will be in
Connection with the District Of Columbis.
In that District, slavery will remain Just az
long a. the people wish II to remain and no
longer. We hold 1t impossible to get majority
in both houses Of Congress to vote in favor Of ,
lbslishing tbs fraction Of the great system Of |
American slavery which exists in the District, !
unta pretty large majority of the people Of !
he District petition for the passage Of law to
,slieve them Of the burthens and evils of the a
Institution. When the people Of the District 8
hall thus petition Congress, due respect TO
heir will a. well % to their welfare will require
Congress 10 pass m act Of abolition. Whether b
'ach majority Of ths people can be induced 20 b
ign such petition at the present time, we ?
ave no means Of knowing. II is very well h
Inown however, that the anti-slavery men
n the District are both numerous and Efficient. b
md, % the progress Of truth is onward, their :,
,unsber and efficiency are every day advancing q
We hope that not many years will pass before Il
he mind and heart Of the District will demand 5
transcription. and, when that is the case, no G 9
ne can donbt that l. will be proper in Congress ;,
J grant the prayer Of the people. W
We have TINS seen that she asgsessions Of ~
10 North on ths South are NOT likely TO he 90 m
'rric hsEesfisras the frightened fancy Of tome III
Z sur presiavsry men picture, and we cannot to
NJ think. wish this New OF the case bsfors ~ ~
I'm, nat the friends Of he psrpetuasion oil ID
avery in Kentucky cannot bat feel the utter m
bssrdity Of ths argument they resort %, to 81
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