Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-10-27
SOUTHERN BAPTIST AND aIRS. BEECHER
STONE.

OuR attention has been specially drawn to nn ed.
toria in the last number of the Z" Southcrn Bapfst'
in relation 10 TINT notorious enemy of slavery,
Mrs. HARRIET BEEcmER SrowE. Tho gentleman
who has pointed out to us this Objectionable article,
is staunch Baptist and subscriber to the paper in
which said article has appeared. We take the liberty
OF extracting one or two expressions from his note,
that the present Editor Of the Bapts may be nd.
sised in good time to tile light in which hin e1cul.
PATTON of Mrs. STOWE is viewed by one of his mos,
sensible and liberal suhTcribers. We do this the more
readily, as agree with the opinion expressed by
our friend. 1.-The article to which auie," says
he, is Offensive 10 mo both Bnpiirt md slave.
holder. | think it deserves ccnsure The Editor,
in the most lau'latory terms speaks of Mrs. STowE
and her Reverend brother, ns being possessed of "a
high and delicate Of honor" and furthermore
asserts as certainty that the book was written "Aon.
esHy." Now, every one knows tor onght to know
upon slight reiection) that Mrs. HARRIET when she
wrote the book, did not believe that what she wrote
was true Of slavery institution. Az for the
works being written &c honestly can only say
that, while the writer making an assumption, one
much nearer the truth would have been that it was
written for MONEY and for MISCHIEF"
One or two remarks Of our own, and we turn the
matter over for our coienpurary's era,ion--
II strikes us as being not only uncard for but ncun.
slstenf, in genuine and thoroughly convinced a,vo
cate OF our peculiar domestic institution, to draw
forth and retail to the public statement 50 exargera.
ted as that contained in the following sentence-
60 Undoubtedly the system has been greatly improved
since the time of its first establishment in this coun
,,ln.p VI r
three and half or seven pounds inflicted for the
killing Of Il slave; and the extraction Of the teeth
and the pouring Of melted ,rar on the naked BODY
were ordinary punishments." We have denomnated
this exaggeration We believe i, 10 be utterly or.
ronrous, if by this country is meant American
territory. And we challenge the production of all.
thentic proof to the contrary Instances there doubt.
less have been of such cod.blooded cruelty towards
our slaves but to assert that they ever were "ordi.
nary" (or Of common occurrence), is stigma upon
our fore.fatliers which we surpriZed to see in
Southern Print. We fear that tile Editor who en-.
dorses such statement, resembles his friend Mrs.
STOWE, in respect to giving hearsay and unspport.
ed assertions the weight Of satisfactory evidence.
But the Baptist" goes on 10 add: "And though
nothing like this would be tolerated now, il may he
found that wise and thoughtful reflection upon the
subject will justify the adoption Of certain salutary
laws, and will show it to be desirable that greater
concert Of action and a more enlightened public
opinion should prevail among masters with regard to
this important and scriptural relation" This is
saving sentence, but rather too vaguely expressed
70 redeem the article from lis offensive characteristics
What may those "salutary laws" be! Wherein
should "pubc opinion" become more "enlighten
ID" upon this subject! Underlined, the terms are
and as easily interpreted to- the sa,slac.
ion Of Mrs. STOWE as Of the Southern readers of
he Z" Baptist
We would respectfully suggest to the writer in
Question: greater circumspection upon this topic, il
le is desirous Of making his paper acceptable TO the
ireat mass Of his readers.