Eastern times., 1850-04-18
EASTERN TIMES.
Progress, Slavery, Freedom.
NO. Tw o.

some ideas of general character, under the
.bove head We propose to continue. in Sc
ries of articles, more particular consideration
OF matters appropriately coming under the
above caption. We design expa,ia,ing upon
the general principles then stated, by commcnt-
lssitimateiy growing out Of those asserted in
the article referred TO-
10 90 back to the natural state of man. The
human race started with no culture. no NOR
ais, even no manucrs-b but with certain. innate
desires or faculties, which have been gradual
ly developing then. selves from primitive state
to the present advanced condition. Possessed
Of one common nature, embracing the intellect
ual faculties, moral emotions and desires or
passions. we f=d that though man subsists
necessarily as an individual. yet tha, he is SO
constituted that his nature can only be devel-
oped in general seciety-and accordil g,y we
ind man, in every condition, inst;nctiveIy rs
II were, associating himself in some form with
his fellow creatures. By association only are
our natures developed-a the highest states
Cl CiNl-lLS0 hlld-uSu MeH, lHulN u
weak, in an associated capacity suddenly find
themselves strons-in yielding portion OF
their natural rights they insure their individu-
al safety. Hence the origin OF some form OF
government which will be found indispensable
until the dawn of that day when all mankind
shall be governed by some high moral rrinci-
pie If men," says Nuttel, "were always
equally wise jus, and equitable. the law of ma
ture would doubtless be found sufficient for
society, but ignorance. the illusions of self
love, and the violence of the passions too often
render these sacred laws Intellectual" Hence
we find that nan in his associated capacity Is
obliged to recognize the necessity for positive
laws But the same principle of evil, so natu-
.al TO man. promptirg him to make his weak
or brother subject to him, which is restrained
and regulated by governmental requir mcnts
finds vent in another directiom-more difficult
70 be controlled. Although physically con-
tro!led. mentally man aprroximates TO omnip
otcnce. Individual progression is an order OF
nature-the human mind is ever act.ve-and
the same disparity in mental endowments as in
physical, is visible in the human race. The
strong mind cannot be controlled by any legis-
lative enactments-the giant intellect bursts
oil fetters-a and the weake: mind must yield in
submission. Uniformity of Kind, but inequali-
~ of po,cers, seems to have been the rule OF
nature, with regard to man physically and
mentally. Thus it would seem, according to
the supremacy of mind over matter, a state of
perfect equality in mankind is incompatible
with the order Of nature. This is borne out in
all history. Privileged classes have ever exist
ed exercising too often blishting influences
upon the progress Of the age. Sometimes ex
erciscd by all ar;stocracy, so metimcs by the
state and not unfrequcntly by religious super
stition. From the latter may be traced the
successful stand taken by the oppressed, which
has resulted in the greatest demonstration Of
liberal principles which the word has ever
known-the American independence.
The American Revolution was no, mere
political accident. Il was an inevitable result
OF long train of causes, all conspiring TO make
men impatient Of oppression. 1t was neces-
sary battle in the progress of the great conflict
between despotism and freedom, between the
aristocratic and the democratic principles.
Our fathers regarded it-claiming for
themselves no new or peculiar rights. They
only demanded security in the enjoyment Of
those rights, to which, as descendants of Eng
lishmen. they we're entitled under the great
charter-to which, as men, they were entitled,
under grant of their Creator. They asserted
the equal right Of all men to the immunities
which they claimed for themselves. The writ
ings of the Revolutionary period. afford ample
evidence that principle existed, interviewer
with domestic habits, pecuniary in erests and
legal rights, which was perceived to be anita
onistic to the liberal principles they had them
selves avowed-we mean the practice OF slave
holding-which existed under the sanction Of
the laws of the several colonies, apparentl
and really beyond the reach of the direct legis-
lation Of Congress. Our fathers. therefore,
confined themselves to general declar ations Of
the great doctrine of equal rights, which lies at
the basis of all just government-and without
directly interfering with the legislation of any
particular member Of the confedcracy. cndcav-
orcd to establish the national government and
policy upon such principles as would bling
about. at length, the desired result of univer-
sal freedom. Immediate affranchsemcnt OF
the enslaved, at that period, was not for mo-
ment to be considered.
But what evidence. it may be asked, can be
sdduced. to support the position that the prin-
ciples Of universal freedom had begun to intuse
themselves thus early into the public mind -
b referring TO the first Congress, which as
sembled in l71i. the non importation, nom
consumption and non expectation agreement Of
that ilIustrious body, signed in their individu-
al and representative capacities by the dele
gates of all the represented colonies and PRO-
mulgated to the world as the solemn act of
United America contained this remarkable
cause.-the will neither import nor purchase
any slave imported after the first day OF De-
cember ucx.-after which time VIC will wholly
discontinue The slave trade and neither be con
cerned in it ourselves. nor will we hire our
vessels or sell comm 1dities or manntac-
lures to those who may be concerned III it.
Thus was deliberate expression in favor OF
universal liberty early put forth TO the world
Tor themselves and for the country.
But this was in the first Con gress, and what
do we next find Two wears afterwards, the
same great principles were promulgated to the
world IN the Declaration of Inderendcnce. In
single sentence We're embodied The great
fundamental principles on which The free gov