The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-13
NlaYerH NJ IL II.

patton party at the late election, and who are
doing all in their power to perpetuate indefi-
nitely the institution of negro slavery, have ever
devoted an hours serious attention to the con-
sideration Of "slsvery as it is." even in the
mild form of Its existence in Kentucky.
There is, as appears to us, such wide diff
ference between freedom and slavery, that If the
one is right, the other must be wrong; If the
one is necessary for the promotion of our spirit
ua health and our temporal ell-being, the 9TH
err must necessarily be productive of deep igno-
rance, degradation and suffering.
This proposition would seem to be so plain
as to render argument superfuous; and yet
Christian men, with the Bible in their hands,
and words of patriotism and pety on their lips,
can openly defend human slavery, and treat
those who would remove it with ridicule and
abuse.
As an illustration Of one of the phases In
which negro slavery presents itself to profess
sing Christian people, we would ask attention to
few statements Of facts, as taken from one of
our daily papers.
In the Louisville Democrat of 25th De-
csmber last, We find this paragraph. under the
head of Police reports
A negro was arraigned on the charge Of steal
ing clothes from the store Of BIB. Anderson &
Co.
The Judge asked where were the articles
stolen7
The Marshal said the gentlemen had retain
ed them, and did not come into court TO prose-
cute.
His Honor directed the Police officers to bring
into court all articles found in the possession
OF theves-as IL was the only means by which
they could be induced TO come forward and
prosecute. In the present case he ordered the
negro to be discharged-remarking to the Off
GERS, that wnen they found a negro pilfering
to take him out and give him just as many as he
could tceH bear, and not bring him before the
court.
Now, II this direction Of the Hon. Judge to
the Police officers of this city is the Idp Of ala
usry, land we have no reason to suppose that II
is nos) what security has the negro against IN
Just vlolencel The police officers are the az
cusers, witnesses, Judge and executioners, with
no limit to the punishment they may see fit to
;nict, except the eapability Of the negro 70 bear
IL. Nay, more: suppose the officer under the
influence of those passions to which We are all
liable, should "gipe the negro rather more than
he could yell bear" and death should follow as
the consequence, by what law could you pun
ish the oficer7 The crime (if it be a crime I'M
der the instructions of the Hon. Police Judge
cnuld only be denominated ga mistake as to the
capability of the negro 10 bear a whipping"
| Now, we do not say that this state of things
is unnecessary and wrong, If slavery be right;
for long-continued slavery may have made the
negro SO ignorant, degraded and british as to
render il necessary that he should be summa-
rily punished without form Of trial. The ne
gro, we suppose, furnishes no exception to the
old adage, "treat a man like dog and he will
become dog" but We beg leave to suggest to
those of our fellow-citizens, who regard these
unfortunate creatures as endowed with the feel
ings and failings Of our common humanity,
whether IL becomes us, as an honorable, high
minded, and CAristi0n people, to punish them
for the legitimate consequences of our own con.
duct. Surely, 1t were the wiser policy to labor
diligently and earnestly for the removal of an
evil which creates a necessity for such manifest
injustice.
AS further illustration of the nature Of
Slavery, as tmust necessarily exist, il it exist
at all, We give another statement Of fact taken
from one Of our daily papers. In the Courier
Of October 5th, we find this statement:
NEeRo MAN SHor.-A negro man belonging
to Howard Christy, Esq, was shot about 8 or 9
o'clock on Wednesday night, on Pearl street,
a nm NV
wood saw the man steal a saddle, from horse |
opposite his house and on attempting TO arrest |
him he resisted, and while endeavoring TO es- |
cape, Mr.. +. shot and wounded him. On the |
matter being represented to Judge Joyes, of the |
Police Court, he refused to take cognizance Of
the case. We were told last night that the ball |
passed entirely through the body of the negro
man, AND that he was not expected to live.
And on the succeeding day the following ap-
pears in the same paper:
The negro man who was shot by Young Mr..
Forwood, on "Wednesday night last died yester.
day morning.
Mr.. Forwood ia well known as one of our
most respectable citizens, and is an active, and
Intelligent member Of the Baptist church. We
suppose he acted In this matter In conformity
with what he considered to be his duty, as he
came into court the next morning,
and submitted himself to the examination OF the
lawful authorities.
The Judge it would seem refused to take cog.
nizance Of the case, and here, SO far as any.
thing has been made public, the matter is at an
end.
Now, we seriously submit the question 10
hose of our allow citiysns ubo raoncn;.o Al |
negro az ahuman being, subject to all the frailties
Ind sins OF our common humanity; redeemed
BY the blood Of a common Savior, accountable
% common Father, and to be judged at the
anne solemn judgment seat, whether this state
VI things is right, and whether II IL the proper
'ocaton Of Christian Ministers, to labor heart
md hand for the perpetuation of a system that
enders 1t necessary for negroes to be thus treat
ID.
Is there not something sngularly absurd in
he species of christianity which processes to
ecognize tbs negro as a brother, and yet in
many respects treats him like horse ora dog7
md can there possibly be sincerity in the prayer ,
which is so often offered by slavery-defending {
christians In the presence Of whites and blacks, 8
commencing with those words Of touching sim |
licity and fearful sublimity, "OUR FATHER @
WHICH ART IN HEAVEN" &c.
I'VE might add much on this aspect Of hu- i
nan slavery, as exhibited in the extracts
ere quoted, but we prefer to submit the facts
D the consideration Of all sensible men, Just as
hey are, being sensible that they plead more
o~srfully for the cause of an oppressed and :,
eeply wronged race Of people, than any CON-
tents we can offer.