The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-22

dextery in the MANAGEMENT of public measures; that
there is danger, that this Union, though incapable oi
peaceabe separation, or il peaceaby separated incapable
of maintaining between the portions OF winch Il Is CON-
posed for any length OF time, harmonious relations. may
yet experience conynlslons ana violent sepata.ons
exaggerated the one hand, or looked upon as too
small upon the other there be any danger however
mote any ssas sasa
ground Of cautonus the same motive for forbearance
Just the ground for the exercise Of and dill
gence for preservation as il the danger were inn
mediate or the cause Of fear great We all realize
this in the ordinary transactions OF life. II a man
has any reason to suppose however remote the dan
aer magazine beneath II he does not wait to have
demonstration Of the fact before he takes measures for
his security. In all human affairs are obliged 10 act
upon probable evidence, and 70 provide Tor probable con-
ngences and to respect the lowest degree OF prob
ability, in avoiding danger and securing safety care
not whether there be more Or less reason to think that
may ns among no the pss q Ss
these questions shall be decided by Congress- if there be
any danger. any ground of fear, men OF sense, as
men OF patriotism, as lovers OF oar country, we are
bound to the most ANXIOUS, earnest perseveng efforts 10
secure the country Entertaining these views upon the
subject and having stated what believe to be the duty
Of US all profess now to act and to be always ready 2
should govern our conduct.
In what Mr. President, have those difficulties their
orSn They spring from one single source They may
tons they may govern aud direct the conduct OF ind
viduals in various modes; but the whole difficulty lies
in slavery lis original and sole source. Il is the
sence oil that institution in certain States OF this Union
and the existence OF that institution alone, which has
brought upon US the necessity OF considering whether
views upon the subject Of that institution and sentiments
having been expressed with great confidence by many
gentlemen, particularly BY the senator from New York.
who sits on this side OF the chamber GMR SEWARD as
to its nature and character, considered in religious
point of view il being assumed matter OF course
that that institution itself is utterly opposed to the spirit
and law of Christianity, and that must be taken to be
in itself morally evevil altogetherand to be tolerated
only where we have power to put II down., beg leave
though not exactly geane to the political discussion, TO
submit TO the Senate brief inquiry into The correctness
of this view maintain and shall endeavor to establish
that whether the institution OF slavery be considered as
an evil or not. il is not a sin. II is not 10 sslf
a violation OF the Divine law. ltwas said by the
honorable senator from Massachusetts, in the noble
and able speech which he delivered the other day,
that that institution had existed from the earliest times
that the first writer's OF history found exstng that IN
The theocatic government of the Jews dlsapproba-
ton OF il expressed and that, under the Gospel dis
pensation, injunction against it was to be found
That is the truth, sir but is not all the truth Ii Is
clear that this institution, which find existing in the
world before and at the commencement OF the Jewish
theocracy only not dsapproved Of but expressly
recognised approved, and its continuance sanctioned by
the Divine Lawgiver of the Jews
Why, Mr. President, If we disabuse our minds OF the
influence of previous opinions and undertake to inquire
whether the Divine law OF charity condemns the nsu-
ton OF slavery-and If in this inquiry subordinate
judgments to the teachings OF the Divine Lawgver
can be little doubt 10 the result al
which must arrive: and il will be that which have
stated But may adopt different mode OF conduct
ing the nquiry-may allow some inward impulse or feel
ing to give Interpretation to the great law OF charity
and set up our own speculaons 70 regulate our judg
ment OF its force and application We may thence be led
conclude that the institution OF slavery IS utterly un
lawful but so doing we present melancholy instance
of the human interpreter setting himself In direct oppos
ton 10 the practical commentary which the Divine Law
maker has given upon his own law.
Now, sif, find in the 25ih chapter of Levtcus this
passage:
.And If thy brother tha, dweeth by thee be waxen poor
and be sold thee thou shalt not compel him TO serve
as bond Bot hired servant, and as So
the year ofjabiee. And then shall he depart from rhee
both he and his children with him, and shall return unto
he return For they my servants which brought forth
out Of the land Of EgPt they shall no. be sold as bond
fear thy God Both thy bondmen and thy bondmaids,
which thou shalt have, shall be of the heahen that are
maids Moreover. OF the children OF the strangers that do
soourn among you OF them shall ye buy and otheir fam
and they shall be your possession And ye shall take le
Inheritance for your children after you, inherit
but over your brethren the children Israel ye shall
rule another with riger"
This is one among the many direct positive. authoriia
tive approvas by God himself of the institution OF slave
y, existing the time OF the Jewish hcocracy II is not
toeraon-a forbearance TO prohiblt-but an
express permission 10 the Israeites, whom He conde
scended to govern in the stead OF human ruler TO pur
chase OF the surrounding nations and Of strangers among
them slaves, and to hold them inheritance forever
Slavery, Mr. President, was found, as mentioned by
the honorable from Massachusetts, existing
institution al the time OF the Gospel dspensaton, and
spread throughout the earth. What treatment did il
ceve from the founders of that Gospel dspensaton Ii
was approved-frst negatively, and then positively
First negatively, because, in the whole New Testament,
there is be found single word either spoken
by Saviour by any OF the EvaDgests or Apostles,
in which that institution is either directly indirectly
condemned. And also afmatvely Toshow this desire
call the attention of the Senate TO two three passages
from the epse Of st Paul. and 10 bring them forward not
with commentary OF my own, out with bnef com.
menary from OF the best that ever lived. well
one OF the most learned dvnes, who spent his life be-
the years 72i and 1899 in the kingdom OF Scot
land who set his foot upon soil where there was
slave, and never slave. He gives his opinions in
most able work Of bis, entitled "a New Translation.
Commentary, and Notes upon the Epistles"--not any
hasiy production but the result Of thirty years OF his life
expended upon this subject, which il is said was five
times written BY his hand before IFS publication.
/ aIlude TO the celebrated Dr. Mcknight OF the esab-
shed Presbyterian church OF Scotland.
In his introduction TO the sixth chapter OF the hrs eps-
lie TO Timothy. he thus expresses himself:
Because the law or Moses tBxod 2I p allowed Is
raelite to be made slave fr life without his own cons
The teachers 10 allure slaves their party, taugh,
that under the Gospel likewise Involuntary slavery y u
lawful This docirine the apostle condemned here, es ~
his other epses, q Cor 2, 90 2l 2 Col 10 by enlon'
ing Christian slaves honor and obey their masters
whether they believers unbe evers oversees 20 ana
by assuring Timothy that, persons taught otnerwse
he opposed the wholesome precepts Of Jesus Christ and the
e,dbess sound morality, (verse 81 and pulled up
with prde without possessing any true knowledge either o
the Jewish OF of the Christian revelation, tverse y
The passage ia the epste referred 10 by Dr. Mcknight
Is in these words;
"Lct as many servants as are under the yoke count
tI..ge .,.T.n 80.