The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-22

hendcd by the nations of the Old World, by
Ourselves and which will, in all future tme be the study
and admiration ofthe historian and the philosopher.
not the founding OF republic these shores, SO
recently the abode only OF savage and nomadc tribes but
its Amazing growth and development--its magic like
spring from small beginnings rising as by single
effort. by elastic bound, into all the attributes OF
frst-rate powera great republican empe-able not only
to maintain its rights OF sovereignty and independence,
by land and against hostile world but at the
time. BY its example, shaking e their foundations the
cespoc govefn%9sns . Of Gs oa MA w ..s great
mankind. The tabled birth Of Minerva, leaping in full
panoply from the head Of Jove if truth and no felton,
would scarcely be wonderful, greater mystery
without the clue which African slavery furnishes Tor the
solution Off
Sir. making all due allowances for American enter
prise and the energies OF free labor under such system
Of government We enjoy, doubt whether the power
and resources Of the couay would have attained more
than hall their present extraordinary proportions but Tor
this much reviled institution OF slavery. Sir, your
rich and varied commerce, external and INTERVALS your
navigation your commercial marine-the nursery Of the
your sms Inc ap pSo snee
all all. may trace TO this institution, as to the well spring
OF their present gigantic proportions, nourished and built
up to their present amazing height and grandeur by the
great staples of the Southhe products Of slave labor
Yet slavery, in every form in which it has existed
irsm the primitive period OF organized societyfrom It's
earliest and patrarChal form to this tme in every quar-
tM Of the globe-and all It's results, the magni-
cent results OF African slavery in the United States
declared to be against the law Of nature. Though con
ibuting in hundred various forms and modes, through
period OF thousands OF years, TO the amelioatlon OF
the condition OF mankind generally; though sometimes
abused and perverted all human institutions,
those Of religion are still contributing to advance the
cause OF civilization though, il you please. having its
origin in individual cupdiy, still myserlousy working
out general good; yet slavery and all lis benetcen
results pronounced be agains, the will OF God by
those who claim superior illumination upon the sub
ject This may be SO; but must say that this concu
sons 90 confidently announced not arrived al IN
cofdance with the Baconan method OF reasoning, by
which we taught that from great many particular
Snd well established facts in the physical economy
dpduCp "A
20 OF morals and government ii seems TO my weak
faculties, that il is rather arrogant and pesnmptuous
arT1ignment OF the ways OF Providence mysterious
we know them to be, for feeble declare that that
which has been permitted 10 exist and prosper from the
beginning among and nations is contrary TO its will
But whoever has studied much purpose the history of
civilization the progress OF society, OF laws and govern
ment must have perceived that certain abstract heo
fetc truths whether IN civil or religious poll'y have
soeiehes and governments be unolded by degrees and
adjusted every STEP according the advance Of society
from its infancy 10 higher civilization and more
enlightened comprehension such the equality OF na,u
M rights and privileges the rights OF self government,
and freedom OF speech and opinion These general truths
day, vel as they have been seidom admitted, in their
length and breadth in the practical operations Of govern
ms1t. win SUCCESS. some ia@gvers nave been sd
these truths have any time been suddenly embraced by
the controlling minds among people, the misfortune has
been that they applied IN without regard to
The actual condition OF the people who were to be
aaece and hence they have 20 far, failed oil
IN some OF the most highly civilized nations OF Europe
Bot 10 to the point TO refer to the emancipation Of
the slaves OF St Domingo-one OF the first explosive
e1bcs OF the sudden recognition Of the rights OF by
the French people 1t would be difficult to demonstrate,
this day, thai the OF humanity OF human pro
gress has been in the slightest degree promoted by the
abolition OF slavery in that fertile and beautiful island
sh Statesmen committed in the policy OF West
India emancipation forced upon them by fanaiical
formers They driven adopt sentiment instead
81 PRACTICAL truth, the foundation OF radical change
condition a DepDle who In
appreciate profit by IT. Even the reformation in re
Gion and church government, which commenced some
three centuries ago, the opinion OF many oil the
profound nqurers, has failed OF that complete
which ought 10 have attended II, for The that the
general truths and principles upon which II was founded
were applied in The jealous champions of re-
form. in throwing aside all observances which affect the
sspses, and in spirituazng much, there is to
nave ssa t.s q aoGa and
upon the evil passions OF men. But this is delicate
subject. and must iorbear
These examples may show that there are certain alb.
strAe truths and principles which. however inconro.
vertble in Themselves like every other good thing, may
bs and often are misconceved and abused in their appl-
cation. IL is the business OF statesmen to apply them
with lafey and give them the utmost practical influence
and eject consistent with the existing OF society
The most beautiful illustration OF this sentiment and
the most striking example Of the superiority of practical
nun over theorec axiou's in the formation of govern
Hest to be found in all history and one which claims
he special attention OF the people of this country al this
1oment. was exhibited by our ancestors when, with
0ef own recognition OF the abstract truth OF the equality
ci natural rights still vibrating their tongues they YET
featIoosy eel their seas OF union betw
the States, with express recognition OF African slave
~. nv sxprsss recognition OF African slavery, because
whaiever the jesuca doctors of the North may say the
clauses in the constitution relating TO the importation of
persons under circumstances aud fixing the ha-
ss Of direct taxes. and representation in Congress, -
hrn, do amount to IN express recognition of slavery
But honorable senator's announce that have arrived
period in the progress of society and of general
mzation, when all these theoretc principles and alb
srAct truths may be safely admitted without restriction
o. limitation when all and conditions OF the
human family within our borders may be safely allowed
Aensct equality OF rights, social and political that,
AHcAn slavery, The period OF universal enanci-
Hucn ., nandi the shadow is already upon us; the
nanuwnung - upon the wall. upon which the slave.
h06tt may look and treroble The bonorable .en
st0 nom New YORK Mr. SrwARpl undertakes 10 speak
- prophet TO announce in advance the decrae ~
Htaveu. snd 10 call upon all people 10 heak on ami h
He pksbdmpuousy assumes that the will Of the De;itv
hsq bssn thwafted the constitutions of ali soce,,
audgovefnments which have tolerated In anv f
ID times pan and that there be purpose of wisdom
or bsnencence on high in npholdng any longer This
may b ~, sr; but, ~ my poor judgment, the time for
heee great and radical changes the social and political
condinon OF many Of the nations OF the earth. which we
sduit 70 be civilized, il not set But believe that the
uma Will come, later, when the forty millions
OF kuspian serfs will break the sceptre of the Car
sks OF me manacles which feer them assert the
81 ree'nen and the privileges of self government
ooes moi appear TO that the time IL yet, when so
frat Change can be made in their condition with safety
y nAr own welfare So. sir. | snppose. that at some