The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-16

a
fal impression. 1t cannot fail 10 produce deep
impression wherever read.
Tho Rxamins--The Progress. OF Anti-sIs,ery
sentiment in kenmck y-The Prospect Before
Cs.
With the present number, we commence
another volume Of the Examiner.
When we established this paper two years
ago, It was with many doubts and mlsgivings.
The prospect before us was gloomy, but we had
faith TO believe that 50 noble people as Ken
tuckisns could not but listen to arguments in
favor Of a cause so good, Just, so patriotic,
ss Emancipation. We have not been oisappoint-
ed. Two years ago, the anti-slavery sentiment
IN the State was almost voeeless. Here and
there few active EmsncipstiOnists insisted on
the wrong Of slavery, and the many advantages
which would result from Emancipation, but
they were utterly without organisation and had
no means Of aPpreciating the depth, force, and
extent Of the opposition TO slavery in the State
Now, however, great change is seen when we
compare the present with the past condition Of
our great cause. Two years ago, men talked
in whispers and in solitary places. When
crowds were eongregated and the welfare of the
Commonwealth was the subject of anxious in
quIry, even then and there not word was said
Of slavery as a curse, nor il referred TO as a
source Of continual evil. All other subjects
were publicly and freely discussed, but on that
Of slavery silence msintsined. And vet
all this time, no one eonversant with the opin.
ions Of Kentuckians could doubt that a very
large proportion Of the best and wisest and most
patriotic minds In the State viewed slavery as |
system Of wrong, outrage and inhumanity, and |
fervently wished for the coming rou nd of the |
day when every shsckle should be broken and
the clanking Of no chain should be heard with
N our borders.
Now, It IL not discreditable 10 announce one
self an EmancipstIonist In any county in Ken
lucky. In every section of the State the friends
Of freedom are TO be met with, earnestly deien-
ding the right and dsnOuneing the wrong. In
those portions Of the State In which the system
has been most thoroughly tried, and Its bit
ter fruits most thoroughly experienced; the
opposition 10 II Is most lnappeasable. In
those counties in which the proportion Of slaves
10 laTgest-for instance, in jefferson, Faye.te,
and Observation-Disclosures the supposed
large pecunisry interest Of the people in slaves,
The hostility 10 slavery Is most efficient. The
mass Of voters in these three very prominent
and POPulous counties, it is supposed, are very /
nearly equally divided in opinion as 10 the pro-
priety Of carrying Emancipation at this tnl =
IL is very certain that large majority Of the
men In these counties are anti-slavery In feel
ing. and II the question were whether slavery
should be made perpetual, the Pro-slsvery men
would be in q very small minority indeed. Let +
4 be al ways borne in mind, that thousands Of G
those who oppose Emancipation are opposed to I
The movement at the present time only, and n ]
lend TO favor it at some future period. II there
were any means whereby the Perpetualists, and b
hose who are in favor Of Emancipation now a
Or at some future period. would be required to :
sh ow their hands, the former would be fou nd to
compose a very inconsidersbe proportion Of 4
our population. The heart of Kentucky is not "
with the pro-slsvery men Of the south. This 8
state Of public opinion has been made so mani
lest within the past few months, that no intei- Of
gent man now doubts il. All persons CONVEX Of
ant with the people Of Kentucky know that U
here is much more anti-slsvery opinion among ~
hem than Is made 10 appear. A majority Of
he candidates for Office are, u IA true, opposed ii
% the present Increment in favor Of Emancips- Z
ion, but II Is also true that many Of those who -
or various reasons oppose Emancipation now, M
10 not hesitate 10 declare that some future pc CT
iod when the subject can be disconnected FROM y
IL othersubjects they will Then give their eoun. .,
ensnce to movement which shall conLem- of
late the gradual extinction Of slavery. How.
yer sound at heart such men may be, their 81
inguage at least proves that there is a very II,
'rmidsble body OF anti-slsvery men in the or
tate whom 1T lie extremely desirable tina, sspi- W
ants shall proPItiste. "
The progress OF Emancipation ia Kentucky he
nung the two years of the existence of the IN
xsminer has been rapid indeed. The first "a "a
eat numph Of freedom was achieved when IN,
ee discussion was legitimsted in every section ma
I'd IN almost every newspaper in the State. IN,
ave the inends Of Emancipation an opportuni. III,
TO address the people through their mind. and ON
'nsciences, and we ask no farther favor tat
ach Ia the force OF truth, that with free Discus go
IN the system Of slavery must be shaken from ma
rotten basis andfaIi in a few years. no
When we reflect on the great advances in gr'
ble opinion toward the great consummstiou u uo'
which we pray most fervently, our heart. on
" with Joy deep and unspesksble wehaye =
ready solved the intensely interesting and i'm.
nsnt problem as to the prscticsbility of car.
ING Emancipation in the State. We may not ,
TINS year, but it can be accomplished with. 'uii
new yesn, If the friends of our gloriou, are
nse WI press resolutely forward. An that IA
wants hes1, vigorous determination. dsunt.
= and unqusiiins resolution never 3. ce..e na s