Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-07-16
Cen. ssott.s Letter o, the subject q slavery.


In the midst of official occupations
That ever have been named in connection with
the presidency of the United States has not can
assure YOU the son of ancient neighbor and friend
been by any contrivance desire of mine and GER
tanIy shall never be in the field for that high Of
fee unless placed there by regular nomination.
Not then, being candidate. and seeing no near
prospect of being made one. ought perhaps to de-
cline troubling you or others with my humble opi'i,
ions on great principles of State rights and federal
administration but cannot plead ignorance of
the partiaty of few friends in several parts of the
Union, who may, by possibility. in certain event.
succeed in bringing me within the field from which
whig candidate to be selected, prefer to on
the side of frankness and candor, rather than by ST.
lence to allow any stranger unwitingy to commit
himself TO my support.
Your inoui,ies open the whole question of domes-
tic slavery which has in different FORMS for num-
Der of years agtated Congress and the country.
Promising that you are the first person who has
Intercepted me ON the subject, give you the basis
Of what would be my reply in greater DETAIL If time
allowed and the contingency alluded to above were
less remote.
In boyhood, at William and Mary College and in
common with most, if not all, my companions be-
came deeply impressed with the views given by Mr..
Jefferson in his :. Notes Virginia. and by Judge
Tucker. in the Appendix to his edition of . Black
stones Commentaries IN FAVOR OF GRADUAL EMAN-
cIpATIoN OF SLAVES. That Appendix have not
seen in thirty odd years and in the period have
scarcely read anything on the subject; But MY EAR
IMPRESSIONS ARE FRESH AND UNCHANGED. Hence,
if had had the honor of seat in the Virginia Leg
iSlature in the winter of 1872 when a bill was
brought forward to carry out those views, should
certainly have given it my hearty support. should
certainly have given it my hearty support.
suppose scarcely need say, that in my opinion
Congress has no color of authority under the const
tuition for touching the relation of master and slave
within State. 7
hold the opposite opinion in respect to the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Here with the consent OF the
owners or the payment of =" just compensation"
Congress may legslate at its discretion. But my
conviction is equally strong that unless it be step by
step with tie legislatures of Virginia and Maryland
it would he dangerous to both races in those States
touch the relation between master and slave in
this District
| have from the first been ofopinion that Congress
was bound by the constitution to receive, to refer,
and report upon petitions relating to domestic
slavery. as in the case of all other petitions; but
have not failed to and to regret the unavoidable
irritation which the former have produced in the
southern States with the consequent peril to the
two colors whereby the adoption of any plan of
emancipation has everywhere among US been great
ly retarded.
| own myselfno slaves: but never have attached
blame to masters for not berating their slaves
well knowing that liberation. without the means of
sending them in comfort to position favorable
to the pursuit of happiness would in most be
highly injurious to all around we'll to the man
| united families themsel, es unless the operation
were general and under the auspices of prudent leg
islation. But am persuaded that it is high NOR
al OBJ igation of masters and ehodng States to
employ all means, not incompatible with the safety
of both colors to melorate slavery, to extermi
nation
1t is gratifying to know that general moderation
has been great and is still progressive notwthstand
| ing the disturbing causes alluded to above The
more direct process of enamel patton may, doubt.
be earlier commenced and quickened in some COM
munities than others Each, do not question, has
the right to judge for ITSELF both to time and
means: and consider interference or aid from with
out, except invitation from authority within. to
be as hurtful to the progress of meoration,
it may be fatal to the lives ofyast multitudes of all
ages sexes, and colors. The work of liberation
not be forced without such horrid results. Chris
tan philanthropy is mild and considerable
Hence all violence ought to be deprecated by the
friends of religion and humanity. Their persuasons
cannot fail at the right time to free the master from
the slave. and the slave from the master-parhaps
before the latter shall have found out and acknow
edged that the relation between the parties had long
been mutually preudcial to their worldly interests
/ There is no evil without in the order of Provi-
dence. compensating benefit. The bleeding
African torn from bis savage home by his fero-
cous neighbours sold into slavery and cast upon this
continent Here, in the mild South, the race has
wonderfully multiplied. compared with anything
er known in barbarouS life The descendants Of
few thousands have become many millions and all,
from the first made acquainted with the arts of civ
| the Gospel.
! From the promise made to braham some two
thousand years had elapsed before the advent of
Saviour, and the sraetes the chosen people of God
WERE for some wise purposes. suffered to remain in
bondage longer than Africans have been on our
shore This race has already experienced the re-
sulting compensatiOns alluded to; and the white
missionary has been able to penetrate the dark
regions of Africa. to establish himself in its inte-
rior, may be within the scheme of Providence that
the great work of spreading the gospel over that
vast continent with all the and comforts of civ
ilization. is to be finally accomplished by the black
man restored from American bondage. foothold
there has already been gained for him aud in such
n scheme centuries are but seconds to Him who
moves worlds moves finger.
/ do but suggest the remedies and consultations of
slavery to inspire patience, hope, and charity all
sides The mighty subject calls for the exercise of
all mans wisdom and virtue. and these may not suf
fee without aid from higher source.
1t is in the foregoing manner, my dear sir, that
have long been in the habit in conversation, of ex-
pressing myself all over common country on the
question of negro slavery and must say that have
found but very few persons to differ with me- how
ever opposite their geographical positions.
Such are the views opinions which you seek. |
cannot suppress mutilate them, although now La
BILE to be more generally known. Do with them what
you please. | neither court shuu publicity
Winfield SCOTT.
| T. P. ATKINSON, ESQ. DanviIle. Va.
/ The Hon John Henderson, of Mississippi, former.
~ Wing United States Senator and who served in
the Senate with Mr. Pierce gave the following testimo
ny OF him IN recently reported speech :" He said
that Gen Pierce was an accomplished gentleman,