The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-04-17

writings Of the Apostles and The con-
unued practice Of llls church. from il ear
lest and puresi times, whirh recognise
slavery as lawful institution. and enforce
The duties growing out Of il upon both
master and slave. how We. who now hold
slaves. are 10 be put beyond the charities
Of our race IS cppressors and robbers.
No sir; no cir. We stand upon higher
and better ground. We justify no injus-
lice. cruelty. or hardship. We claim that
we have Just rights, recognised by ihe re-
ligion We profess. as well as by the laws
of The country in which we live. and that,
for The possession aud just use OF them.
we should incur no repioach here. and we
hope we shall inrur none hereafter; ihough
we freely admit Thai The trust conhded 10
us is high and an important one that, for
the manner in which we discharge II. we
must give an account hereafter, mol be-
cause we possess or exercise authority
that is right; iksi is proper; that is not
anii-relieious-but for having been faith
less, If faitliess we shall be found. 10
the great duties which the Gospel incui-
Gates as 90 the mode in which that author
!, iiy is 10 be used. and the just restraints
10 be laid upon il.
1 have moi made these remarks because
suppose that they will produce convic-
iion upon the minds of gentlemen who
take opposite views. nor do ! suppose
that such conviction can be produced; but
wish those gentlemen TO understand that
we do not stand in the attitude Of flagrant
robbers and oppressors. who have no ap-
parent reason and justification Cor our
conduct. To my mind the lawfulness Of
this institution. in The Christian point of
view, is clear. demonsirable, demonslra.
) ted. Gentlemen may say: "We do not
agree; We have The idea that that great
, law. Of charity which says. do unto 9th
ers as you would that others should do
unto you,' lorbids you TO hold slave"
He who gave that law Of charity under
: the old Testament. and who explained
! and enforced il under the New, did not
declare such judgment; and, therefore,
what want 10 deduce and enfnrce from
il is, that the utmost that can be said by
: our northern friends is. that this is case
: not free Of difficulty. in which difference
= of opinion may, without jus, offence. he
= !, entertained; and hence that no unkind
!" feelings. no prejudice should result. be-
= cause We take a view of this subject which
!! does not meet their appreciation.
Mr.. President. in these excited times,
= . Il is very difficult to get calm and quiet
y i consideration Of anything connected with
) this subject. My attention is almost daily
!, arrested by epresenlaIionswih reg ,rI
!. tolegal enaclmenis subsisiing in The south.
- y ern States Of this Union. and with regard
- - TO the motives which have dictated these
- ensclmen,s. Il would seem as il men
:. ~ were 50 carried away by the impulses
= = growing out OF this agiialing subject, that
- they lose all charitable consideration for
~ the motives ofothers. and are even prompt
=, !. TO suppose that whatever is done is done
sr. for wrong end. or under wrong i'm
=. pulse. Now, deem il proper-ihongh
!" at other times such matters would not be
~ worthy Of any consideration-to notice
:" one or two misrepresentation with regard
to my own State, of whose laws happen
= - TO know something, as Of the hahls and
= character OF her inhabitants. | do this
y, because everything which impresses upon
~ :. the general mind Of our northern fellow
:, citizens that we are hearlless. exac,ing
= unjust. merciless race ofpeople, has mosl
:. unhappy effect upon their disposition and
.e feelings towards us. and induces expires.
- sions from them towards us which react
II upon our minds and This is continually
~ fnmrnting and increasing these sources ol
- disquiet and alienation, which every pa.
~ ,riot must regret, and should desire 10 re-
- move.
a. 1 saw the other day, accidentally, in
~ :, taking up newspaper. note appended
Z a. TO speech delivered in another place. In
=: ~ this note found these passages:
bv "NoTK M Mn. MASS-0n repairing to the
o. Law Library. to ascertain which party was right
in regard 10 the above difference Of opinion the
=" second book | opened contained at least three
oi where the courts were authoze to sentence
e. slave TO be transported for the commission Of an
he offence for which white man must be uncondi
., tionally hung. (See North Carolina Rev. Stat.
vol. l., chap. IL, ss SO, 37 39.) OF fcourse, the
reason Of this difference Is The pecuniary value Of
u. the slave. Hung, he would be worthless trans
mt ported to Cuba, he might bring five hundred
10 dollars"
mr. "But laws which punish six or eight or eight
or ten, or any other number fofiences with death
:. when committed by slaves, whilethe sameoffcnces
" receives milder penalty when committed by
is whites, or laws denying the benefit of clergy
III (where that relic of harbarism still prevails) to
e, slave, while il is granted TO white man, are
,e surely among the greatest Atrocities recorded in
- the history of the race"
81 Now, sir, would notbe willing to sup.
Of pose the gentleman who penned these
to paragraphs capable of willful misrep.
u resenting an individual, much less the
:. whole people of a State of the Union
n butso carried away is he by this sub.
ject, that he does not perceive that his