Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-05-17


We cite all this to show the light in which
slavery was viewed by our fathers about the time
they were struggling to free themselves from
servitude, and particularly by the prominent men
in the south, and to contrast the opinions fthose
times with the present. Who now. among her
prominent men, speaks for the south as her men
Of old spoke Not one. And wherefore? Wea'-
tribute it to the degrading and vicious effect of tie
institution. 1t has thoroughly corrupted the
minds of all the governing men of the south and
blotted out entirely that devotion to the principles
of universal liberty, which distinguished the men
and times ofthe revolution. Because, as we said,
the principles of slavery are at war with those OF
( freedom, and the existence of the former, roots
out of the mind all devotion to The latter. 1t was
quite as pleasant perhaps, for our fathers of the
revolution to live off the toll of others, as it Is
for u.s. their descendants, but the institution had
not then exercised lis influence; their minds
were comparatively uncorrupted. and notwith-
they anxiously sought means OF aboishing sla-
very But with the close of the revolution came
a calm We had achieved Independence, and
ceased to agitate the great question OF human
rights. Slavery then began to strengthen itself
until at the present time, there is not voice in
the whole south to speak for freedom.
Now, the question is distinctly, whether this
influence, which has heretofore been confined 10
the south, shall become the governing influence
of the nation So surely as the south obtains
clear preponderance of power, so surely will all
| legislation look to the Strengthening and perpet-
uaton Of that institution. The north will be-
come a mere tool or convenient appendage to the
south, and all her giant resources will be plum
dered and used to the advantage OF the south
The Improvement of rivers, harbors, &c, will
have small consideration should the funds be
wanted for the purchase of Cuba or the conquest
of the rest Of Mexico. We have had enough of
such legislation heretofore, but have not been
powerless to prevent it. Let us once become
powerless to preventt, and we shall have nothing
else in the way Of legislation
It's effect can be readily perceived. When
the nation comes fairly under its influence, it
will do for the whole nation what it has done for
the south 1t will vitiate and corrdpt the COVER
ming minds of the nation, until the great princi-
pies of liberty shall have no friend to vindicate
them in all the land Legislation of this char
acer, is of course class legislation it is legis-
lation for ideness against industry, and it's aim
= ~, ~.
from industry and convey it with the least posi-
bic labor to swell the Golfers ofidIeness. On the
ore hard it makes the wealthy, proud, naughty,
and nsolent teU on the other, the robbed ioiinr,
and suffering nlany. Its ultimate can be nothing
but a corrupt arstocracy, rioting on the proceeds
of the labor of the land This is inevitable if
slavery becomes the leading id "a of the land,
for if we analyze the idea of slavery, we shall
find it to be neither more nor less, than an asser-
ton that it is the right and prerogative of few
to own the proceeds of the labor of the many
And it is rank folly for the white laborer to sup
pose that this is matter which concerns not him.
At the south now, the white laborer holds no po-
sition in society for the simple reason that labor
being degraded in the person Of the slave all who
labor occupy common level of degradation. As
soon then as the idea that labor belongs only to
menials becomes the idea of government, all who
labor are OF necessity menials and slaves. It
requires no remarkable intellectual power to per-
ceive this as an inevitable result.
SO much for the effect of slavery on the ma
tional heart and mind.
We need not waste much time on the second
branch Of the subject. We need only to point to
the countries where slavery prevails to have its
influence in blighting and curoing the country
distinctly perceived. Every person who can
comprehend in the slightest degree the motives
which lead men to develop the earth and create
wealth, will see that where labor is degraded and
made mental, the earth will not be developed nor
will wealth of any kind be created in any abGn-
dance. Virginia from being the mother of Pre-
silents, has become the breeder of slaves for
more southern market, and the history of Virgil
mia will be the history of the nation, if the south
triumphs in the present contest
/. From the extracts we give it will be evident
that when the constitution was formed the south
looked to the extinction of slavery at no distant
day Now she demands it as perpetual insitu-
ton. II has done its work at the south: it has
degraded labor and corrupted the rulers there,
and now seeks new territories to conquer It's
influence is already ielt at the north 1t is ga
thering itself for desperate ef1ortto conquer the
whole land, and the time is at hand which will
determine whether there shall be really one land
of liberty upon the earth, or whether the telling
millions are to be forever without government
and without home.
CAPITAL PENISIEuENT.
In our last we arrived at the conclusion. that
as all mankind desired happiness and as that de-
sire was the basis of all action, if they did not
pursue the right road to attain the end, it is be-
cause of ignorance: and this conclusion. of ne