The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-10-06
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
For the National Era.
A NEW COMPROMISE PROPOSED BY A SOUTH
ERNBR.

Mr.. EDITOR: Bigotry and intolerance are
not confined to the champions OF slavery, as
have had occasion to remark in my intercourse
with Northern AbOlitiOnists and from inspec-
ton of some Of their newspapers and other
publications Assuming that slavery IS, I'M
der all circumstances, wrong and impollhc,
and that that which is wrong cannot be rec
tilted too soon, they will listen to no PROPOSE
ton which falls short of Immediate and uncon-
ditional emancipation This resolution was
arrived at by Garrison and others, some TWEEN
ty.fve years ago and although they have
urged IL under whip and spur from that day
to this. slavery still stands entrenched in the
Constitution, enforced by vigorous Fugitive
Slave Law, and supported by the two great
political parties of the country, who emulate
each other in devotion TO "the peculiar instl-
tuition" rs you sneeringly call it.
Now Mr. Editor, am Southern man, but
am not champion of slavery. wish to see
the country rid of it as soon as practicable
but knowing that immediate emancipation Ii
out of the question, whether accompanied 10y
colonization or not, am willing to do the next
best ii ing in my power. ] am willing to see
steps taken preparatory to emancipation. The
abolition Of slavery cannot take place peace
ably until change is effected in the minds OF
the Southern people; and maintain that the
directest way to bring about such u change
is to begin by looping of the groSSer features
of the system, one at time.
Whenever Southern men have attempted
to meet the arguments Of Abolihonlsts, they
either deny the existence Of such enormltieS a.
the domestic slave trade produces as the sepa-
ration Of families and the purchase of young
females by the centOus for the qualification
M their passions or insist that they are not
essential parts Of the system. In like manner.
tbe denial of education to slaves is held to be
q mere temporary regulation, and is no essen
ti,I part of slavery. Dr. Fuller in his argu-
,nant with pr. Wayland, lays it down that sla-
very is simply enforced labor-labor without
other WAGES than food and clothing-but I'M
pIyipg the Obligation on the master of furnish
ing moral and religious instruction to the slave,
with education sufficient at least to read the
Bible. The separation of families, he holds to
be highly criminal. Mr.. Badger, the able
Senator from my own State, | think would
coincide in this view of the subject; and "A |
Carolinian.' who last winter attempted re-
ply 10 Uacie TOMS Cabin, advanced similar
ideas Eyea EwOod Fisher, and the Cotton
Plant and Judge O'Neal, have suggested NELL
oratious Of slavery.
Let the institution Of slavery, then, be strip
p,d of these more Odious features, which It's
recognised advocates cannot defend Let the
marriage relation be made legal, and bind !
ing uron master and slaves, under all circum-
stances If the master owns both parties, pro- .
hibit him from selling them separately. If they |
are owned by different persons forbid their .
removal to a greater distance than they sr0 .
from each other; and, what 10 equally import
ant, guaranty to the slaves of full age the right
OF contracting alliances upon the masters /
plantation, or within a stipulated dlstance-hye /
or seven miles. But in ali cases the law should |
encourage the bringing of families together by
purchase and sale, and continue to masters the
utmost latitude Of removal, whether within
the State or beyond its limits, accompanied al
ways with the condition that the families are
to be Inviolably held together. Let all laws
prohibiting education be repealed and encour-
agement given to mental and moral improve
nent by the establishment of Sunday schools
and the worship of God among them; and
lastly, let them be allowed to acquire and hold
property, with the option of selt.emancipation
by purchase, ut a price to be fixed by disinter.
eSted persons The obvious objection to this
arrangement might be got rid OF by making
removal beyond the State n condition of eman-
Oipation. | admit it would be hard condi-
ton but in most of the Southern States AT
present, the privilege would not be conceded
without it,
The separation Of the younger children from
their parents should be prohibited in like
manner.
Ii these regulations were universally adopt.
ed throughout the Southern States and faith
fully acted on, they would 90 far to soften
Northern and European prejudices, and to
make slavery the "patriarchal institution
which its friends would have the world be-
lleye 1t. The greatest objection which now ex-
lists to the extension Of slavery South would
beremoved; and there are many good reasons
which would operate on the minds of even
Abotionists. in favor Of it, The formation OF
new slave States out Of any territory that may
be honorahly acquired from Mexico, or the
annexation Of Cuba, under such circumstan-
ces, would be attended with none of the enor-
mites which are now apprehended by every
humane and thoughtful mind, az the necessary
result OF so great an increase Of the domestic
slave trade. The removal of the slaves in
families without a dissolution Of those endcar-
ing ties of kindred which now take place
would be positive blessing to thin The
tropoal regions OF this Continent seem 10
be set apart by Nature and destiny for the
abode OF the negro race; and the extension of
slavery, IN the mild and modified form which |
have suggested would hasten their progress to
the promised land
The advance Of slavery Southwest has not
yet caused it to recede on the Northern Dor
der but the day is evidently at hand, when
tins consequence will manifest itself In fact
1t Is to be seen now in the constantly diminish
ing number OF slaves in Delaware, Maryland,
and at one time in Virginia, while the Caro-
hnaS kentucky Tennessee, and Missouri, have
evidently arrived at or near the eliminating
point, from whence will date the gradual per
maps RAPID, recession Of the slave population
Inc constantly Increasing pressure of North
crn Tree population, with new and more fertile
or congenlal regions in the South, which new
acquisitions may open, would certainly increase
the deportation of slaves BY the pressure Of
Northern population, mean merely to indi
cate the growing tide Of emigration from tina
quarter to the South, which will supply tn,
place OF slave labor in the border States, OF
enable the planters, who wish to emigrate iur
Their South, to sell their lands.
The acquisition of new slave territory woulC
therefore change, rather than extend, the are
of slavery; and its political influence woul,
not be permanently if ut all, increased.
Blgotry, intolerance, and hostility to fire.
discussion, always exit in exact proportion /
the wrongs or errors which they would ex
clude from the scrutiny of the world and il
proportion as the wrongs or errors are abate
or removed will the minds of those who up
hold and cherish them be liberalized and open
ed to the reception of truth. The history q
the world, IN Church and State affords abun
dant illustration Of this truth and when tn
South shall consent to lop off the eros ,est ieu
lures OF the peculiar institution $, as L
bring 1t within the pale Of Christian charity
there can be no doubt that it will sur, ende
much OF Its present bitter exclusiyeness ant
give treer scope to the liberty of the press an,
OF speech. The entering wedge 20 wire an,
temperate discussion will have been inserted
which will result in another generation il
the emancipation of the colored race, undo