Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-01-14
no. TX.

but they reject the name themselves, and
It has not been usually applied to them at
the North. They hold, with the Immediate
emancipationist, that no man can really be
the property Of another man. But the lone
idea" is. with them, modified by second
idea. They allow the rule, that slavery
is SIM" to admit an exception, in the case
of those who are held in bondage solely for
their OWN benefit. Ihave heard one of this
class express his principle in this form =,
"Slaveholding for The sake Q, gain is sinful"
Persons Of these eviews,-belieying that is
from regard to the interest to the master,
that measures are not taken by the South
ern States fof the gradual abolition of sla-
very,-regard the mass of the Southern
people as dishonest. They consider it their
duty, to do all that they can do constitu-
tionally to promote the liberation of the
slaves, They sometimes unite with the abb
olitionists In pr6inbtihg measures which are
deemed by the South Unconstitutional; for
instance, the Wilmot ploviso and the re-;
peal of the Fugitive Slave Law. Many Of
the more Intelligent and patriotic of this
class, will desist from such schemes, when
they fud that the Union is seriously endan-
gered But others, constrained by the.
"higher law" must persevere regardless OF
consequences, or shutting their eyes to the
danger. But there are some at the North
who hold entirely different sentiments. A
Northern religious journal, of distinguished
ability and extended influence, uses the fol-
lowing language ;-"Slaveholding, like land;
holding, is right or wrong according to cir
cumstances. The proprety of both depends
OF tie validity of the title. II then goes on to
set aside the objections, which are made BY
abolitionists, to the validity of the titles by
which American slaves are held. But these
are the sentiments. of but few:
At the South, the question whether sla'
very be an evil or not is question Of po-
litical economy, rather than Of morals
With regard to the right Of holding slaves;
there is great unanimity Of opinion. It is
supposed that slavery, in this country, may
be justified, to very great extent upon
the ground that the good Of the slaves re-
quires it. But aside from this considera-
ton, it is held that the master has as real a.
right of property IN his slaves, as in any OF
his other possessions, So that the slave
holder is under no other kind of obligation
to emancipate his slaves, ,supposing that their
good would be thereby promoted; than any
other man of equal wealth would be, to de.
vote one-half Of his property to charitable
objects. Itappears then, that the main ques-
ton in dispute between the North and the
South is this Can master haze right
of properfu in his s1acts, rhieh tciH Justly
lin in holding them, like other property to'
his opp benefts..
And now shall have fair hearing from.
my fellow-citIzens of the North, as shall
adduce the testimony of Scripture on thi.
question: The view to be presented vii!
be found different from that which is most
commonly taken by Northern men. 1t has
not however been borrowed fromthe South;
but it has been drawn directly from the Pa
ges of Inspiration. The opinions Of the
writer, on this subject, became settled many
years ago. from the examination Of the sa-
cred Volume, while pursuing his profess
sionsl studies, at Northern institution, be-
fore he had ever trodden the soil of slave
State and the sentiments Of the majority
of the people of West Virginia, among whom
he now resides, are decidedly more anti-sla--
very than his. The abolitIonists and their
allies talk loudly about freedom of discus
sion but their free discussion il senefslly
all on one side; and there is no slavery in
the country more abject than that of some
Northern editors TO their abolition subseri.
bers. | have. little hope Of fair hearing
from them. But have strong hopes with
respect to that patriotic and enlightened
class, to whom l have taken the liberty of
addressing these letters that class who
are now nobly rallying for the support Of
the Constitution and the Union; and who;
by the blessing Of benefcent Providence.
will effect the salvation of our glorioas and
Heaven-favored Republic.
Yours respectfully, -
NoVANGLUs.