The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-08
CondIlien OF eur Carse and Da,y Of Emas.
cipasIsui sts.

cSPattsufsts.
When the present movement in favor OF
emancipation in Kentucky was commenced
some two years since, We did not expect that in
the short space Of time that would probably in
tervsne between that period and the meeting Of
the Constitutional convention, such a change
could be effected in public sentiment as would
lead TO a satisfactory solution Of the slavery
question. We, in common with large msjor-
SIS of the friends Of emancipation, thought the
time too short for the accomplishment of an OBJ
iect go difficult and important. Wsknew some
thing Of the obstacles to be surmounted, and
we're fully prepared to expect . violent and lfor
she present) q successful opposition. Some Of
our friends were moro sanguine, and believed
that in this age of free thought and free speech,
when opposition. tyranny, and wrong appear to
be giving way in every quarter Of the Globe,
men who cal! themselves republicans and dem
Oerats could not and would not stand up and
boldly advocate the rERPEFUATIoS or BrnAN
SLAVERY.
The elections have shown that our more ar
dent and ssnguIne emancipation friends had not
duly estimated the strength and influence Of
the Pr0-s!0ssry slsVeAslders-minority though
they be-snd that irresponsible power, whatever
form ID may assume, 10 very much the same all
the world over.
Among the opposing causes that have con-
tributed to the defeat Of emancipation In Ken
lucky, PARTY SPIRIT may be named as the
most prominent Every candid man must ad-
init, that had there been no "Whig and Demo-
craft" known in the contest, and had the ques-
ton been narrowed down 10 gradual enancipa-
tion against perpetual slavery, the result would
have been very different. This difficulty must
be looked full in the face, If We ever expect to
succeed for while men continue to regard the
questions at issue between the national parties
as Of paramount importance to all others, and
before which all others must give way, sisDery
70 perfectly secure. Enc nsipatoTs must learn
wisdom from their opponents, II they expect to
carry their measures.
With prO-slavery men. the perpe,ustion and
extension Of slavery is paramount to ell other
interests. Politicians understand this, and can
ssisly calculate on their influence and votes
Hence large majority Of the political espiran,
Ct both parties in Kentucky are now pro-slavery
mea, bat how long they will remain so depends
eRtifely upon circumstances. In this state Of
the case, common sense dictates the true policy.
WkeHersr he EmaRsipationi.fs hold IA. baIanc,
Fl PoIOeT bs'=seR TIE troo political parties, lei
t5rH use IL tor IKE dGuaReement Of their Spl
ooass aud principles, at every election, and they
v.'i COmmaEd success.
Tie question Of slavery perpetusliOn is pure
iy oa- Of local charscter. With Us it is nei.
ther sOsthern or northern question, but ex-
eiasveiy Kentucky question. We are no
more bound 10 consult the wishes Of South
Carolina 10 its settlement, than We are the wish
Of Massachusetts, and the influence Of one Is
as Undesirable as the other. In no sense can
this with rs become national question, for by
common consent Il is excluded from the control
Of the general government We therefore con-
slider the attempts that have been made during
the canvass just passed, TO connect the question
OF emancipation with national politics, as be-
traying the demsgogus more than the states
man, and as presenting Hnmistakesble evidence
that chsttsi slavery is only less servie and
hateful than the SLAVERY OF PARTY. Before
the bightiBg curse Of negro slavery can be cx-
tirPated from the sen Of Kentucky, We must
ourselves be free.
With the tact and cunning which generally
attends conscious wrong, the perpetu slists du-
ring the progress Of the canvass have arrayed
sgsinE, the Emancipstionists tho most bitter
and, in many cases, unfounded prejudice
Through their public presses. and from The
stump, EmsnciPators have been charged a. be-
ing in collision with the Abolitionists Of the
North. The people have been told over and
over, that " emancipation vas only abolition In
Disguise" and that, practically, there was no
difference between them. In many portions Of
the State, therefore, where the question Of
emancipation was somewhat novel, the Emsn.
eipstioRisis had to bear the full weight Of the
odium that Throughout tbs south attaches to the
term " sboliaisnist." Tho p.rpst..issss L...
full well the power Of prejudice, and that votes
cast under its influence would answer their pur.
poses quite as well as when controlled by the
most enlightened intelligence they therefore
laid in large " stock in trade" Of cant phrases
and vulgar catch words with these their pro.
slavery papers and speeches were freely sprink.
led. "Free niggerism, - "abolitionism,'' "amal-
gsmation, !" "interference with the rights of pro.
perty,"" Ysnkee wooden. nutmeg interlopers,'
Northern fanatics, '"sgrsrisns and Jewelers."
are few of the choice phrases selected from the
vocabulary Of perpetualism.
This Is an old species of warfare, and has
been successfully practised ever since the devil
first Kissed his lying poison into the ears Of our
FIRST parents.
In olden times, II we recollset Alright. certain
men Of whom the world was not worthy, were
subjected TO similar kind Of abuse and "sekis-
MATTE" "blaspkeme," "Dsra," "babIer, !" ases-
tilsnt fsHOw"-were a portion Of the missiIs
which insOlence, dressed In authority, was wont
to hurl at its victims. Indeed, the Gospel IT,
self, was once heresy-a schism, a sedition,
and blasphemy, and would have been crushed
in the cradle If authority and hard words were
Arguments.
The tory minions Of George the third were
wont TO call The "Pafriots ef'76," "Santimoni-
Gus rognes," Puritan robbers" and "Yankee
rebels, but the spirit of Liberty could not be
crushed by the sstiric smartness of the hIrelinss
Of tyrsnny-snd we hope that those of our op-
poneats who, during the canvass, seemed TO for.
gst lat kmancipstionisls were In every re.n,c,
v1e,P' numbers) their equal. may yet discover
uns' Tie spirit Of the revolutionary Psthsrs st,l
hses IN the bosoms Of their saa.