The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-07-21
From the Louisville Courier:


No. 4.
Gwinn Page, Esq.,, undertook on Thursday night
at the Union Market House, TO define his position
on the old Law '3s.
lie voted for IFS modification, and he did 90 for
the following reasons:
"The law, as it stood, was practically a dead
letter. and afforded but little 10 hose citizens who
were opposed TO the further introduction of negroes
INTO the State. The reasons why II was dead
letter were two.fold.
l. Many shareholders could, and did violate the
law with impunity, because from the nature OF
me onense conviction could not be had, except
with great difficulty. The Shareholder would not
tell where he got the negroes, and thus criminate
himself, gid the sdue could not be made 10 testify
because ne scds a SLAVE. The penalty Of the law
could not therefore be inflicted
Z Every man who had friends in the Legisla-
thre, and who wished TO get special act of legis-
idllon ior ms own benefit could do so, and by this
means introduce what slaves he wished. Mr.
rage therefore, voted for a modification of The
la~, SO That any person who chose might bring
slaves into the State, upon complying with certain
conditions, as specified in the new law.
these reasons for the modification of the law of
50, as gwen by Mr. Page, should be sufficient TO
induce all good law-abiding citizens TO sustain
that measure OF the emsncipationists which looks
10 the ergratting OF the principle of that law in
the new Constitution. As things now stand
according 10 Mr.. Page, the wealthy Shareholder
can 10 many instances violate the law with impu-
MY, OF he may easily procure a special act of
legislation, for his own benefit, and 10 the public
injury. Is this righti Has any other interest in
the Slate this poweIl Is this state of things con-
slstent with the favorite Democratic doctrine:
Equal nights 10 all, exclusive privileges 10 none {"
surely, surely all good citizens, in their sober
senses, must answer these questions ia the mega
tive.
What then do emanclpators propose the rem
edy for this inequality of privilege, and these Oft
repealed suspensions OF good and wholesome law
tor private advantagei They propose to place the
principle OF this law In the Constitution of the
State, above and beyond theinfiuence Of the pri-
Vate interests of privileged class Of citizens and
also above aud beyond the reach of corrupt and
partial legislation; and in this il would seem
they are acting the part of wise men. They are
attempting TO attain laudable end BY lawful and
oy the only etiectual means. Democrats ought,
therefore, 10 be emancpators, for they profess to
be opposed 70 all class legislation, and in favor Of
equal rights.'
Wings ought also 10 be in favor of this amend
ment TO the constitution for they profess TO be the
fast friends Of law and order, and wise and eau
tlous conservatism Upon this plank of the Eman-
ciPsIlon platform all men, of all psrles can stand
together, without any violation Of preconceived
party principles and party pledges. Emsneipators
ought also 10 be grateful TO so ardent pro-slavery
man as Mr.. Page, for furnishing them with SO good
an argument for their favorite measure, and to in
yite him 10 contribute his services in what is un
doubtedy a labor of lore
II understood Mr.. Page correctly, he stated fur
theT that he was always in favor OF the principle
OF the law OF 30, and voted for tn modifca-
ton ot the law because il had only existed as q
dead letter upon the statute book, and that he
thought the present law would prevent the intro
ductIon-of slaves into the State better than the old
one. There is, therefore, hope that Emancipators
will have the assistance of so talented and accom-
Mi haA -
House OF Representatives of Kentucky is known
10 be on their side
Mr.. Page will certainly not act in opposition 10
his own principles, and will OF course vote the
ticket
A LOUISVILLE MECHANIC.
NUMBER II.
AT the public speaking on Thursday night last,
Gwynn Page, Eco, late speaker Of the House of
Representatives, undertook TO give to the citizens
Of Louisville reasons why they should 20 against
This pro-slayery reasoning, ema-
mating from a distinguished and talented pro-
slavery Kentucky statesman, and addressed to a
company of Kentucky freemen, deserves special
notice.
The arguments of Mr.. Page may be concisely
stated as follow: "There is general prejudice |
in the country against cities. Louisville partici-
pstes in that general prejudice TO a great extent
The people of the interior counties are jealous of
her power, and would like to cripple her influence
II she sends emancipation candidates TO the Con-
Vention she will increase the prejudice already
existing against her, and as a consequence she
will lose her country custom. The country people
will purchase from the cities in the free States.
will be called can Abolition hole"
and her commerce, manufactures and trade rapid (
" decline. We want the State capital here
candidates elected from Louisville /
will keep il in Frankfort, for the Representatives
Of the people of Kentucky will not consent 10
remove 10 an emancipation city. The people of /
Frankfort have acted wisely in this matter, and \
have put down emancipation, so that at present in /
ian enlaRcipdtionist cannot be Heard 10
chip" have tried to put this argument of Mr.. |
Page in IFS strongest light and think il is as fairly
and clearly stated as my space will allow.
There is a great deal more implied in these \
statements and this argument than appears on the /
surface. Losing sight of Mr.. Page, personally,
and looking only 10 his reasoning, il may be fairly
described as the bread and butter argument of /
trimming politician, snufhng the popular breeze, /
rather than the broad and comprehensive view of
4 statesman discussing the practical bearings of a
great principle. If this argument had not been |
urged by native kentuckian, one would suppose |
il TO originate from one of those peddling wooden
nutmeg, hon-fiint Hank ees, intent only selling
bus wares and merchandise, and which are ever |
friends, when they contemplate the future cond- |
lion Of our noble State, redeemed from the curse
Of African slavery.
These, and all similar arguments urged by the |
sdvocaes of perpetual slavery, are apparently |
plausible and strong, but as addressed 10 a COM
nunty of freemen, each clothed with the attri- |
outes of sovereignty, they are essentially weak and
absurd.
The fret thing clearly implied in the argument |
Of Mr. Page is, the omnipotent power OF the slave
interest," If his statement of the case be true, |
slavery perpetuation overshsdows every other in |
erest OF the State, and emancipation is as neces-
lucky as FOR the negroes that are legally held as
slaves; and instead of relaxing in our efforts we /
should redouble them, II We would preserve for l
ourselves and our children anything more than the
name Of FREEMEN.
We, the people of Louisville may believe that
will add 10 our industrious free pop
ustion, and thuB enhance the price of real estate
and cover our large waste places and vacant lots,
with improvements erected and inhabited by free |
md intellgen white men. We may believe that
All the essential elements of human progress and /
Of white, educated, and refined Free
men, than in a community containing a large adj
mixture OF that degraded system of slavery, i'm
,crted from the barbarous shores of Africa.
We may believe that our most valued interests
or time and for eternity will be best promoted BY
ZONE wise and cautious system of emancipation
md in conformity with our rights as American
,itizens. We may wish to give practical force and
sficIency to our our views, BY electing men 10
represent them in the Convention for forming the l
organic law of The State. But here comes MIR. /
people, know, and what you say about emanci-
nat ion NAV be all true. but Won Certainly do moi