Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-02-17
The Galveston Negro Case.

There will, we doubt not. b" long and loud
howl from New Eng land aboftiJn>m. when II
hears of the strict and sharp way with which
the law of Texas has dclt with the Massachu-
sets free negroes who were caught at Galveston
enticing away slaves. Yet Texas dealt with
them mcrcitully, considering the nature OF the
crime, in its consequences upon the security OF
property and the domestic quiet her people, She
first imposed only u fine. and when that was not
paid. condemned the criminals TO cXpiate the Of
fence by personal seritude, and to form an eX-
ample TO deter others from offending i'll the
same way. The code Of many Of the Southern
States would have justified even more summary
action White men have been hanged with lit
tie compunction for the same offence, without
exciting any very great clamor elsewhere. yet
we expect to hear fierce oulcry against the
condemnation to slavery of these "colorcd bcc-
thren," whose lives might have been taken with
out departure from prevailing opinions Of right,
and cogcnt reasons Of policy. PhloSo!' hers
have traced the origin of domestic slavery to
the natural rights Of war, by which the Etc ot
the captive in battle bccamc the absolute pro-
pcrty Of the conqucror, and might be taken at
will at once. To spare it on condition OF per
sonal service WAS IN act of mercy. The mod
tications Of this barbarous law i'll more civilized
times, proceed upon the rrincjpl", that as the
original right WAS IN arbitrary law Of necessity
for scfprotcction against the repetition O. hos
tile attacks from the same quarter, or of the
same kind, the measure of moderation is in the
degree of the proved absence Of such a day Of
self preservation.
In a combat !or life all treatment Of the rs
sailantS is justified to the extent which viii se-
cure safety to The aSSailcd As regards tn" m;
li@nant warfare against the vit:l> Of the South
wa.,d b. the ncindiarics, Of which these crim-
inak We're agents or tools, tie Southern States
have generally believed that the lives Of those
caught aid convicted are justly forfeited, and
that they ought not to be spared. Texas. more
lncrcu fines only; and, III the last resort COLI
demns them to Scrvitudn, rs unfit for the duties
of frecmcn, and unsafe to b" left at larrc to plot
mischief She has exercised her rights; and, we
believe, too, performed an act of duty to her
self and her sister States of the South. for which
she Is entitled to thanks. This growing and
more perous plague OF free negro association
with the slave population, which is pertinacous-
" thrust upon us from the North III defiance OF
all our attempts at exclusion 10y police laws, must
be stcrnlv met, and driven back whenever and
wherever it approaches onr borders. The senli-
mental advocates for negro equality will, no
doubt, raise a grand clsmor at this act OF stern
Justice But it will justify itself in all r"tl ctIng
minds on grounds Of social and political duty.
And if there bc to some th" appearance Of harsh
pressure upon guilty individuals, diSlroportioned
to their intrinsic responsibility for the particular
act. because they have been dcludrd by others
into position, where indul gcnce can scarcely
reach them, the fault and the consequences are
Justly to be imputed to the d>cr"ctcr williams
who, prompting the drrd kept themselves III
personal safety at distance. The example,
will, We ho;c, have a beneficial effect i'll warning
some of these poor tools from listening to such
advisers, that they avoid the same unrclenting
fate, if detected in their crimes.
v. o. PicoyunC.