The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-10
Emancipation In Kentucky,

Emancipation In Kentucky,
An idea has been started in Frankfort, by men,
bers Of the Legislature, that Emancipation in Ken
tnekY is dead. When il died, and where and by
whom il was killed, are matters upon which we
have been unable 10 get any information whatever
Yet these are interesting and essential points in
veritable matters. We cannot assert the fact, but
we have our fears, thatthe ms=sbers of the Legis-
lature have taken up for themselves the idea that
adorned the diadem of the modest and graceful
Louis the Fourteenth, of Franee-that Trey are the
State, and that because they in their wisdom wish
Emancipation 10 be killed-therefore, It's killed
But softly gentlemen-yOu know but little of the
spirit and temper Of the people of Kentucky, if
you imagine you can thus stife inquiry, and thus
put an end to great, living principle. Enamel.
patton in Kentucky is neither dead, nor is il likely
to die. principle that was honored, cherished,
and advocated by Washington and Jefferson as
matter OF right, justice and truth is not likely 10
die. In every encounter with the dark and gloomy
error that is endeavoring to overshadow it, il will
renew its strength, and 60 forth 10 battle with new
vigor. You might as well attempt TO chain the
winds, or To allay the surges of the ocean by le-
gislative desire, as TO attempt TO chain down the
free thoughts Of the people of Kentucky.
The slave power in Kentucky is now engaged in
striking blow al the prosperity of the State from
which il never can recover il success attends the
scheme. Weallude to the attempt to repeal the law
of 1888 on the importation of slaves into the State
When that law is repealed, Kentucky will have at
tanned pte-eminence among the slave States Of
the Union-she can point 10 her laws then, and
boast, il she has no shame, no sense of her wrong
that she is the only slave territory in the Union,
where the slave dealer trader has the freedom of
the State. There is not a slave State in the Union
that has not a law similar 10 the Kentucky law OF
1888, and if we repeal it, Kentucky may take her
station alongside of the noble commerce that
adorns the Western coast ,of Africa; she will be-
come the slave mart of the Union, and negro ira
ders will be the merchant princes of the State.
In the great debate in the Kentucky Senate on
the South Carolina Railroad scheme, Mr. Guthrie
took occasion TO deprecate the attempt TO make
Kentucky the frontier State of a slave territory,
but the slave power is now attempting not only 70
make her the frontier Of tho slave confederation,
but the rampant OF that power. And is il TO be sup
posed that the people Of Kentucky will tamely
submit to such state of things as this? Those
who think so will awaken some day from terri.
bic delusion.
Emancipation is not dead in Kentucky, nor is il
likely TO de- Such principles as il has never die,
nor can they be killed. Nor do its enemies be.
l'eve for moment that il is dead Ifthey believ-
ed so, they would not fear TO submit the question
TO the people themselves for direct decision.
We dare the enemies of Emancipation TO put the
question to ne people OF Kentucky. SO that they
may vote on that question alone. They know better
han TO trust themselves thus to the voice of the
people. They prefer Plagiarism, noise, confn-
sion, and proclamation of the death of what they
dare not meet in an open encounter. This is their
wisdom, and, perhaps, their best policy.
We prefer, as Mr.. Guthrie did, IN his great
speech, in answer 10 Robert WickliTe, ESQ.,
to making Kentucky frontier slave
State, TO fight the battles Of the South The spirit
,frenovation is alive and in vigor, and must 20 |
srward in its onward march. We are decidedly
IN favor of Eniancipating Kentucky from the incu.
,us that has weighed her down for many years.
and from the awful dangers that threaten her more
strongly now than they did when Mr. Guthrie so
,learly and triunsphantly pointed them out in the
iebate 10 which we have referred