The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-20
LOUISVILLE KY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 1919
From the Christian wsichmsn and Reflector.
The Slave Power.

From the Christian wsichmsn and Reflector
The Slave Power.
The desperate measures of what is called
se'ldelence, to which the slave power re-
sorts so frequently nowadays. may be set
down as omens Of good to the cause Of
philanthropy. They show that canker is
at work upon the vitals Of the system,
which Irritates it more and more, and acts
as sort Of moniiion that, 10 the providence
of God, II is gradually and surely approx.
mating its end. Precautions, whether adopt
ed by Governments or individuals, and
whether intended to secure good or a bad
condition Of things from change, generally
indicate that necessity for them exists,
either in the sullen mufmurings Of discon-
tent, in the guarded threatenings Of an am
oluon not yet quite able to overcome its
lresolution, or in open, systematized, un-
daunted action. Slavery is acknowledged
BY all but a few madmen of the South Car.
olina school, to be condition Of things
unnatural in itself, evil in its tendencies and
developments, and not 10 be transmitted by
perpetual entail. This recognition OF a
great truth is not wholly restricted to free
States, but is clearly discernable amongst
the non-slaveholding masses Of the slave
States, and even in many Of those who hold
slaves. The perpetualists are few com.
pared with the emancipationists, in one form
or another. And il is this mere fraction Of
the whole that resists, by acts Of despera-
ton, that free progress Of opinion which
must eventually PROSTATE the entire system.
kentucky has been a recent field for the
exhibition Of much that is monstrous in
desperation. The fact, that emancipation
was boldly advocated there in the strong
holds Of slavery, shows that discomfort in
the existing condition OF things has ceased
to murmur in sullen inaction, that convic-
ton has overcome irresolution to a crafty
ing extent, and that henceiorward, action
will work its way efectually through the
masses. The attempts to intimidate voters
at the polls, and the ostracism Of intellect
and virtue from high scholastic station, will
give to the cause Of emancipation all that
perseverance, and energy can achieve
True, emancipation has not distinct rep.
resentatve-one chosen as such-in the
Convention Just elected, and il is probable
its advocates hardly expected TO return one;
but it has gained hosts Of friends-it has
concentrated an imposing vote-it now has
a deep, broad and solid foothold among the
people. The movement has begun, that in
due time shall make Kentucky as free as
our good old State of Massachusetts,.
The same desperate extremes, which are
driving men TO emancipation in Kentucky,
show themselves in South Carolina more
frequently, perhaps, than in any other
State. There, ultraism on the subject OF
slavery is fast reaching its maximum. ItI
cannot be pushed much farther without a
reaction that shall force out an emancipa-
ton voice Of tremendous tone and compass.
The latent current even now is flowing on
deeply and silently, and were the free
masses half as enlightened as those of Ken
lucky, il would soon begin to reveal itself,
and exhibit sigrs Of its real power. A few
over glutted aristocrals yet contrive, by vir.
tue Of their miscalled patriarchal institu-
ton, to awe down those who would think
for themselves, and keep from the many.
who do not and cannot hold slaves, a
knowledge Of their degradation. This state
of things must cease even in South Caro-
lima. When the slave power gets to be too
overbearing, it will defeat ITSELF An event
has happened, which, though designed to
uphold that power in its fancied security,
will do much to weaken its hold upon the
free masses.
We sllude to the case Of the Rev. DR..
Brisbane. He is Baptist minister well
known to the church in New England, and
a native Of South Carolina, in which State
he has numerous relatives and friends. His
exeItion. to mitigate the evils Of slavery,
both in their effects upon the slaves and
upon the whites, have been heroically per
severed in, and doubtlessly. with many good
results. In 1885, he conducted, with ac-
knowledged ability. a Baptist paper in
Charleston, which was generally sustained
by the Baptists in South Carolina. Ia
1886. he took the pastoral charge of the
church in Columbia. In 1887, he was
elected Secretary Of the South Carolina
Baptist State Convention. In 1888, he
went with his family to reside in Ohio. He
was the owner Of many slaves, all Of whom
he subsequently emancipated. About IS
months since, he returned 10 his native
State on visit to his relatives. A meeting
of the citizens of the parish. in which he
happened to be, Immediately took place,
the stated object being to take into consid-
Grafton the fact that he was in that section
of country, and to devise some plan Of get.
ting rid Of $50 unPdncipled parsonage"
He was accused Of having visited that place
some four years before, and Of having, on
his return to the North, given ga garbled
and false statement Of his sojourn" there
lie was further accused vt having had liIv
audacity, during his then sojourn, to show
himself in one OF the pulpits there, and in
suit the good patriots Of St. Peters parish,
By praying that uniUersal liberty might
soon preuail In consideration Of these
facts, he was declared an enemy to his
country, traitor to the South, and par
ticularly dangerous to that section where
he had the sympathy Of the slaves, having
liberated part Of his own there. A COM
mit,ee of three was appointed to wait on
him instanter, and warn him to leave the
State in forty-eight hours, or abide the con-
sequences from hitherto patient, but now
indignant, community! If he did not de-
part as warned, the committee was charged
to call the people together at an early day.