The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-03

prove that ''the tyranny of the Norman an
English slavery were both abolished with
out agitation, and without legal enactments
by moral causes acting silently and imper
ceptibly." To this | reply, first, that tn
English slavery here ndvered to was tn
system OF villanage which anciently pre-
vailed in England, under which ,chite per
sous were held in slavery. But the ques
lion now relates to negro slavery. Anc
the example Of England is unfortunate 10
your argument, since negro slavery wa
abolished in her colonies, not by mora
causes, but by act Of Parliament.
Again, what were the "moral causes
which removed slavery in England? Are
these causes applicable to Kentucky! Lei
us see. One Of the chief causes was
amalgamation-the gradual absorption
Of the inferior into the superior class
Both classes were Of the same color and Of
the same general family, and the process
was easy and natural. With US amalga-
nation is horrible impossibility. The
other moral cause Of the removal of Eng
lish slavery was the influence Of the Roman
Catholic clergy. 1t is thus stated by Ma
caulay himself, p. p, %;
"When the dying STAKEHOLDER asked for
the last sacraments, his spiritual attendants
regularly adured him, as he loved his soul,
TO emancipate his brethren. for whom Christ
died. So successfully had the church used
her formidable machinery that, before the
Reformation came, she had enfranchised
almos. all the bondmen in the kingdom
except her own, who, to do her justice,
seem to have been very tenderly treated. ="
| need hardly say that the clergy Of Ken
lucky are not likely to use the formidable
enginery Of ghostly intimidation at the
death-bed Of the STAKEHOLDER, nor would
you commend the introduction Of such
moral cause.
You cite the case of Delaware where
you say "slavery has worked out its own
under the operation of moral
causes" This is admitted. The number
Of slaves in that State in 1870 was S,S67,
and in 1910 the number had gone down to
2,605, But in Kentucky the number OF
slaves in 1870 was only 1880. In 1S4S
they had reached 192,470, being an in,
crease of about sixteen hundred per cent
This is not only slow way OF working
out salvation" from slavery, but it shows
that the moral causes which have been pow
erful in Delaware are not al work in Ken
lucky. We need therefore some stronger
measures.
Do not understand me as repudiating the
influence Of moral causes. | rely with
high hope upon them. | rely upon the
influence of discussion in debate and in
print upon the acknowledged evils OF
slavery; upon the social, economical, and
moral advantages of emancipation; upon a
Just pride in the glory Of the Common
wealth; upon a wise and philanthropic re-
gard for the welfare OF both races; upon
the free spirit pervading our literature; upon
the inner life OF freedom which animateS
our institutions; upon the progress OF public
sentiment in favor Of free principles and
most Of all upon the general influence Of
which looks, with undiverted
eye, to the triumph Of universal and rational
liberty. But | maintain that all these
moral influences will make themselves felt
through constitutional provisions and legis-
lative enactments. The law OF 1888, even
il introduced into the constitution. is not
sufficient. The number of slaves, instead
of diminishing under it, have multiplied by
at least Is, 900. We need, in addition to
some wise and sagacious scheme Of pros
pective gradual emancipation and removal,
a plan which shall, as far as possible, re-
spect existing rights Of property, secure the
best interests, first Of the whites, then OF the
blacks, and introduce the great revolution
Of our social system by cautious and gentle
If you should favor the discussion Of the
subject in your columns, | should be happy
to submit a plan Of emancipation to your
and TO explain its probable
Not unwilling to bear the re-
Of what | write, my name is at
your disposal; not wishing to appear osten-
tatious, / subscribe myself by the name of
INQUIRER.