Democratic banner., 1849-07-16
s CHI
e SPEECH
.gt OF THE
HON. JAMES s. GREEN.
DELIVERED At PALMYRA, Mo-, SATURDAY, JUNE
; 9th, l849.
OF TIL

FELLOW StIlLENSs-Au COuplldhCC WIN
the request of many citizens of this place,
shall briefly address you on some of the
important questions now pending, growing
out of the institution Of slavery, as it exists,
and is found in the United States. And,
although l do not belong to this Congress
sional District, and my public appearance
here may be liable to misconstruction ; new
ertheless, l shall make nc further apology,
than to remark, that the exciting subjects
now agitating the public mind, demand of
all to contribute to their amicable adjust
ment, on honorable, just, and constitutional
grounds, and thereby restore the fraternal
bonds which unite us together in tranquility
and peace.
We are all, I am happy to believe, warm
" attached to our conf.derated Union ; and
that attachment can be best evinced BY
maintaing all the compromises of the con-
stitution, and by securing to each State,
every right, privilege, and immunity recog-
Missed or guaranteed by that sacred instru-
ment. There is no necessity for talking a.
bout the separation of the Union. That
subject is not now before us, and, hope and
trust, there may never be an occasion for
considering it. But we have questions of
greatmagnitude and vitalimportance forced
upon us, and these claim our earnest atten-
ton without any regard to the false issues
~now.sought to be raised.
That the people of Missouri SHOULD feel
peculiarly sensitive on the subject of slave.
~, is perfectly natural. That they should
feel deeply interested in every movement
calculated to give them peace and protec-
ton in the enjoyment of their constitution
al rights, is equally natural. Ours is a
border State. Placed in a position in prox.
unity to abolitionists, we have sorely expe.
rienced the effects of their madness and
folly. Our slaves have been stolen. Many
have been persuaded to abandon and then.
obstacles have been interposed to prevent
their recapture. Every imaginable expe'
dent has been resorted to in order to dimin.
ish the value of slave property. Laws oil
the State are violated-the constitution Of
the Union degraded-the rules of morality
unhseded-and the sacred principles of re-
ligion ~trampled under foot. Feeling ant
knowing this, the people very properly lOol
with anxiety to every measure affecting
their rights III that species of property.
Slavery, as an abstract question, is a mat
ter with which we have no immediate con-
Germ. 1t has doubtless existed in all age.
Of the world, and its good or evil effects
ought to be considered in relative point Of
view, when we undertake to examine it a.
practical economists. Its conformity, OF
non-conformity to the principles of christi
anity, is a subject which I need not take
time to discuss, but leave it to more com
petent persons, some of whom I see present
on this occasion. But with us, no ~tlleoreti,
cal views, or abstract opinions, possess any
real practical Importance. Slavery is here
The negroes Of Africa were brought to on
country, and the institution of slavery estab'
lished long before our day. Two distinc'
races, one vastly inferior 10 the other, being
thus thrown together in the same politica
community, subordination in a greater o.
less degree becomes inevitable in the very
nature Of things. And it becomes the duty
Of those who are properly invested with the
governing power of the country, to SO regu'
late the relations existing between the tw,
races as to produce the greatest mount Of
happiness to both, so far as they may possess
competent authority. We are not respon.
sible for the introduction of the negroes ir
the United States. That sin, if it be a sin
Is chargeable to others. But of one thing
am well satisfied, that whatever may have
been the effects of slavery upon the whites
Ithas resulted to the black in immense good
and incalculable benefit, both moral and
physical. And am equally as well salts.
he'd Of another fact, and that is, that it is ia,