The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-20
For the National Era.
FREE COTTON vs.. CHATTEL SLAVERY"

+ FREE COTTON VS.. CHATTEL SLAVERY"
Under the above caption an article appeare
. in a late number of the National Era, accom-
a panied by others more or less connected wit
t that subject that could hardly fail of attract
ing the notice of the readers of that paper
t Belonging as | do to that insignificant por
. ton OF the adherents to the Free Labor doc
/ trine that Z" h." is not "bound to treat witt
respect" suppose as a matter of etiquette,
not of necessity, | must, in company with m,
fellow believers consider myself in the higl
road to eTtinctiOn instead of destination, nei
I ther of which have we very sanguinely expect
ed or desired But before taking leave of tn,
Anti Slavery world, to become more familia,
with the wonders of the oblvious lake, pre-
pared for those that believe the receiver il
as bad as the thief" allow me, as a volunteer
to say parting word, in extenuation of ouI
crime
To uncover, then, more completely "the
head and front of our offending" let me refer
to first principles The origin of our fanati
cism may be traced to the belief we have en-.
tertalned, and which we trust our successors
will revive, in a creed very like the following
which have copied from an old newspaper
awe believe
In the unity and common origin of the hui
man race
In the doctrine that God made of one
blood all the nations of men, to dwell upon all
the face of the earth
In the golden rule Do unto others as We
would that others should do unto you
in the Higher Law-'It is better TO obey
God than man'n
Also, That Gan accessory of the factn is as
truly guilty as the principal in the fact.
And unless we would appear before the
world as hypocrites dyed in the wool" that
we are bound to carry our principles into prac-
t'ce, in our intercourse with our fellow-men.
Chnglng to these principles, "our Anti Sla-
very has like that of our contemporary no
element of hatred or hostility to any man in
it," 1t is" we also hope "not narrowed
into partial or egotistcal benevolence, that
would carry out its special purpose at the sac
rifce of any other real interest Of our fellow
men"
Hence, although 4" we can neither work nor
pray for the bankruptcy of any man" en-
gagged in an honest occupation South or North,
neither can we desire for every individual slave
holder, as such, "thc greatest worldly pros
perty possible to the system" Of Slavery, con-
flcting, as it unquestionably does with the real
interest of the free laborer.
IL |, as q manufacturer, dealer, or consul
mer of cotton goods, 60 into the market where
| that article is for sale, am bound to carry
with me my moral principles and if they are
not sufficient to control me there, of what value
are they to me? But can confidently rely
upon their agency.
If now, | am offered bale of unbleached
muslins that have good reason to believe tal-
though not marked az such) have been stolen
from factory many miles of, am brought
up to the question-Can purchase these mus
Inns without breaking the moral law? My
cupidty may endeavor to satisiya Jealous con-
science, that as ! had nothing directly to do
with the robbery, may innocently buy them
but my conscience, if true to its duty, very in
telligibly whispers, No!
My eye is next on bale that has been
bleached since it was stolen and then on one
that, in addition to bleaching has been beau
tifully printed. Convenience, luxury, or gain,
says Buy them" But the still small voice y
within will not be silcnced; "No! no no !"
is all the answer can get from it. Until the
original owner has had his claim satisfied all
the bleaching securing, printing, changing Of
hands or place Of location, it can be submitted
to, can never make it other than "stolen
goods" and cannot knowingly or innocently
purchase them. A good resolution carried out,
that has its reward of Peace.
But my customers must be supplied with
muslins; | will purchase some raw cotton and
have it manufactured, and | go to the planter
for that purpose. | pass by Mr.. Legree
don't like the look Of his bullet head the
sight of him reminds me of Miss Classy and
Uncle Tom fancy can hear their groans
may be this was the identical bale that was
picked by them before poor Uncle Tom re
ceived hls last whipping. Something sponta.
neously springs up within me-tears uncalled
Tor, rush into my eyes. II as Natures testi
mony against dealing 1. The bIOod-Std,ned cotton
Of american Slavery
Well, will not be baked in my prospects
by these fanatical notions, this Stiffness and
insane philanthropy the result suppose
OF reading Unole TOMS Cabin | am glad
there are other ways Of getting cotton without
patronizing sold Bullet Head | think see
yondcr the personifcation of St Clare, with
some bales of cotto.. before him.
Me- l., think, sir"
THAT is my name, sirp
"Were you not in New York in 1852. and
had some servants taken from youlp
p" am the same person"
:" do not wish you - understand. Mr.. l..
that take any merit to myself for what have
done, but am an Abolitionist, and was much
interested in the situation in which YOU were
placed ut that time and contributed nv mite
towads your Naturalization and if it would
not be taking too great liberty, should like
70 know how you Jared after leaving New
York
4" shall be happy to answer your inquiries.
With the money 50 handsomely paid me for
the loss OF my servants | returned to Virginia.
and purchased another lot of healthy Young
hands, and took them to Texas by another
route, AS did not wish to encounter the same
difficulty again, purchased plantation, and
have been making cotton and here is a speci.
men OF what my farm can do | have 500
pounds for which must have eight cents Der
pound"
That is just about such lot as have been
looking for. will take it, and here are two
hundred dollars ! believe all current money :"
81 We call the transaction closed
"The person ] was converting with when
you came up" said Mr. l., Sis an agent