The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-27


men are as wild and deluded as those wbo cen
tury or 80 ago, hung honest women for witches,
and drove out honest Quakers as heretics. This
happened even in the good old and now great and
splendid commonwealth OF Massachusetts,. The
same delusion, although not to the same extent,
prevailed in the renowned Old Dominion. And il
may be possible that the fanaticism of this sect is
the result Of some hereditary taint or obliquity.
understand their number is very limited; and 1t
will certainly become more So should reason ever
resume the helm in their minds
But apprehend am not mistaken in supposing
that very considerable portion Of the people in the
North, h,--and by the North ! include all the non
slaveholding States, very opn-
ions upon the subject of slavery its condition. the
practicability Of emancipation, and in regard to
the character of shareholders. The idea that it is
unjust and sinful for the South to retain in servi
tude, instead of emancipating their slaves, which
think is pretty generally prevailing sentiment, is
certainly founded in error and must be the result of
feeling, rather than reflection and unprecedented
investigation of the subject.
Now, whether slavery originally moral
wrong, is question shall not stop TO examine,
for, whether so not, 1t has more to do with the
present question, in regard to slavery il now
lists and its continuance in this country, than the
fall of Adam original sin. will, however, take
aston to say, that the condition of the African
brought to this country by it, has, beyond question,
been improved, and the Christian philanthropist
has strong hopes that slavery in America may, in
the providence Of God, be the means of spreading
the blessing Of Christianity and of civil liberty
throughout the most benighted, degraded and bar
barous quarters of the globe-of ultimately illumi-
mating and civilzing even Africa.
Nor need inquire whether slavery is a social or
domestic evil; for if it is, the North may aggra-
vate, but cannot cure it.
To determine what would be right and what
wrong in regard to it, or whether it is right or
wrong for the South to retain their slaves in servi
tude, must look at the institution it is, and
all the circumstances attending it. Tested in this
way, duty, Christian duty and interest dictate the
same course-and each forbids emancipation.
Aat,If nf rfA aVI cts<s. 80
that SO long the white and African consti-
tute the same community, and the latter in point
of numbers approximate any where near the for
mer, the safest and happcst, and, indeed the only
safe and happy relation for both races, is that of
master and servant And am satisfied no unpre-
JUDGED mind, which will thoroughly investigate
the subject, will come to different conclusion
That relation will secure to each race or class the
greatest security and the greatest amount of COM
fort and happiness
The general emancipation of slavery in the South
would result If not in the ruin, greatly TO the pre-
judice of each class, and especially the col
ored. 1t would be act Of injustice and inhu-
manity to the slave not surpassed by the people Of
the North turning off, helpless and destitute, upon
the world, their infant children TO shift for them
selves. But why enlarge upon this question:
Emancipation, in word, would be madness. What
could be done with the slaves, if emancipated !?
Would the North receive thems No. Some of the
non -slavehoding States exclude them far as
possible by law, and even resort to force to break
up their settlements even when upon their own
soil, and expel them. II they were to remain in
the South, they would necessarily be degraded
caste, and virtually slaves-wretched and miserable
beyond their present condition.
The boasted emancipation by Great Britain, at
the expense of hundred millions Of dollars Of her
West India slaves, has proved, far any inn
provement in the condition OF the blacks was con-
templated, entire failure. There gentlemen
on this floor, northern gentlemen, who know, and
who have been interested in knowing, that more
degraded and miserable race of human beings can
hardly be found upon the globe. And what is
Great Britain now doing permitting TO be done !,
understand that Africans by thousands, probably
those captured from slavers, upon some indenture
system, are removed from the Cape of Good Hope to
the West Indies, where they held in species of
service, varying but little from the former condi-
ton of slavery in those islands.
will not, however, dwell longer upon a PROPOSE
ton which will not be controverted by any one
correctly informed as TO the facts, and whose mind
Is not warped by prejudice. But, sir, can the peo-
pie Of the North be aware TO what extent they
would be affected on the score of interest by dis
turbing slavery In the South? Do they appreciate
the fact that almost every interest and department
Of labor draws largely from the proceeds Of the
labor Of slaves? Not the manufacturer Of cotton
only, and the thousands and tens of thousands EN-
ployed in that business. but almost every class Of
inechanics-also the shipping, mercantile, and ag-
ricultural or farming Interest," for the prosperity
Of the latter depends upon the prosperous condition
of the other interests or classes Why, sir the cot
n-gin and almost every implement and instru-
ment used in the culture Of cotton and the cane,
and all the machinery in the sugar maj king pro-
cess, the clothing OF all kinds for slaves, the pro-
vision TO a considerable extent, and numerous other
articles almost exclusively the product of north
ern labor II would be interesting 10 pursue this
inquiry further in the detail, and show TO what ex
tent the North realizes the proceeds Of the labor Of
slaves, but time will not permit.
IL, then, as we are authorized 10 assume, benevo-
lence and phianthropy-in word, duty-iorbid
any change in the institution Of slavery; and IL the
prosperity Of the North. as well as the South es-
scntially depends, as II manfestly does, upon the
quiet and undisturbed enjoyment Of the institution
by the South, upon what ground can we account,
even II the Constitution were entirely out Of the
question, for the perpetual irritation and annoy
ance 70 which the South are subjected? Do not the
South and all their slaves constitute portion Of the
population and wealth OF common country
Why, then, lecture the South, in this hall and
the whole North, by resolutions Of conventions
Of all sorts and sizes--and, still worse, by resou-
tions OF whole States. through their Legislatures-
upon the injustice, curse, and SIN of slavery 10 say
nothing Of the untiring assaults Of the press, in
countless thousands OF tracts and novels and every
other species Of publication Why, In violation Of
the Constitution, render IL odious 10 aid the
in the reclamation OF hs fugitive slaves, and even
penal for State officers 70 interferel Why tell the
South that slavery shall never be extended. but
confined 20 the narrowest possible limits, and for
the avowed purpose Of thereby forcing the South TO
the suicidal act Of emancipation Such was the BE-
nepoisnf and generous policy avowed by the gentle
man from Pennsylvania, (Mr. srFvKss.)
All this not only irritates. bot seriously affects
the ooutn IN the enjoyment OF thelr CONSTITUTIONAL
rights. Is Of no service, but positive injury TO
the slave. IL has no tendency 70 loosen, but may
render Il necessary TO tighten his bonds II adds
nothing te the prosperity Of the North, but, ON the
contrary, as you embarrsss the South you affect
your own interest.
Why, sir, have sometimes thought IL strange
that people, unsurpassed for intelligence and
gacity, and for abiding slecpess regard for their
own interests, IL certainly portion Of the North,
should have been so mistaken and misled upon this
subject. But the marvel measurably ceases when
we look into the history Of the case and the means
employed for exciting the public mind and for the
manufacture Of public opinion.
The examination Of the subject has been er parts-
one-sidcd. Lecturing fanatics and vagabonds at
first went through the country exhibiting, not in
imagination, has been done in this chamber, but
actual chains and manacles and the most horrid
instruments for punishment, indicative Of the
savage cruelty Of the master and the wretched con
dition Of the slave They had the field entirely 10
themselves. The slave. holder was illuminated, de-
nounced as an unfceiing tyrant, and the condition
and treatment Of the slave grossly misrepresentcd.
The subject found its way into the school house
and the pulpit, and, finally, the feeling was rem
dered available by the political demagogue and
carried into the ballot-box. This feeling has pro
gressed till the current has become 30 deep and
strong, that, in many instances those who would
q. -. A.. LII. --l1.s-