The southern press., 1851-12-11
For the Southern Press.
Abolition:
20 erluent.
ITS NATURE, ORIGIN, AND CONSEQUENCES.
No l.


Abolition having become one of the most
powerful influences in directing the domestic
and foreign policy of the government of the
United States ard great political element in all
party struggles, have thought it might not be
without its uses 10 call the attention Of my fe!-
low.citizens, whether North, South East, or
West, to its nature, origin, progress, and prob.
able consequences. Though its rapid growth
within the last few years has suddenly brought
it to a gigantic maturity, it is no mushroom that
has sprung up in single night only TO wither
in the midday sun, but 4 tree of slow and
vigorous growth, deep rooted in the soil, spread
ing its branches Ear and wide, and every tree
casting its shadow over a broader crcumfer-
ence, BY its apparent affinity with the great
principle standing al the head Of the Declaration
Of Independence, it is invested with an in
sidious and dangerous power Of identify ing itself
with those truths which are universally recog.
nzcd by all American citizens.
The Abolitionists, taking advantage Of this
have attempted to substitute the Declaration Of
independence, which YVES a mere assertion OF
great general prnciples-Hhc h proverbially
have always their exceptions-in place Of the
Constitution subsequently adopted by every
State Of the Union; and TO draw the inference,
that because the former declares all men created
equal, every provision OF the Constitution TO the
contrary, il, as a matter Of course, null and
void. They insist that the Declaration Of hide.
pendence is Of higher authority than the Con-
stitution, penn,d for the express purpose Of es.
tablishing district political rules defining our
Fights and duties, and, when violating the latter
plead, in their justification, the authority Of the
former
This doctrine, however unteI able, is one Of
the most dangerous weapons welded by Abo-
lhion because TO argue against II, apparently
involves US in irreconcilablc Inconsistencies ard
brings US into direct opposition to grea, funda.
mental principle, propornded by the highest
authority and recognized by all votares Of free.
dom, in its general application. 1t appeals d..
rectly and powerfully TO the popular feeling, and
TO ut round Il requires a wide circle Of reason
ing, which is tedious TO read an difficult for
ordinary readers 10 comprehend. 4 proposition
which is true in its general application, can only
be invalidated, or evaded, by pointing out the
practical exceptions, which, according TO logi.
clans. only serve 10 establish the general rules.
Notwithstanding this. however, shall take
leare TO state few notorious facts, in order to
al a. r L. -.
not the Law Of the land, nor the Constitution Of
the country, and that tile doctrine that all men
are created equal, was not practically applied
even in what are called the free States. lf all
men are created equal, all men Of all nations
would b. equally entitled 10 the right Of s1f-
frage under government recognizing this prin-
ciple yet, long after the issuing of the DECLARE.
, ton Of Independence, and long subsc quent 10
the adoption Of the Constitution, that ri. ht was
restricted to portion only Of the citizens pos
sessing more or less property. There was not
! | believe, a single State Of the old thirteen
which put forth that declaration, that recognized
universal suffrage under its first Constitution
and, consequently, this doctrine Of all men being
created equal, was not prsc ically applied TO the
most important of all the rights Of a freeman
To this day il is not 50 applied in one, if not all
the New England States, where what are called
'tte select men, exercise an inquisitoral
power over the habits aud department Of the
voters, aud are by law authorized to reject the
ballot Of any citizen on the score Of his mora
character-though he may be otherwise legally
qualified. In the State Of Rhode Island, under
the old royal charter, man may be both citi
zen snd freeholder, yet cannot exercise the right
of suffrage, unless he be what is called I" a free
man Of the said company" Were il necessary
/ could cite examples in all the old States, TO
show that this doctrine, that all men are created
equal, has not been, and in fact cannot be, prac.
ticaly applied in all cases; and 70 one doubts
| that every State Of this confederation has the