Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-16
THE STANDARD.
RALEIGH, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1e. 1853.
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

HE SLAN EN- NOEC1lO4N'
Do not be startled, good reader, by the he aiding
of this artice-it is not our intention to go into
discussion of the Slavery question. We have had
anouob of that 1t is true we should not fear such
discussion, for we regard African slavery estab-
Isbed on tbs impregnable foundations of Holy
Writ; but then we can perceive no necessity at
this time for arguments in defence of the insttu-
tion Our purpose is to call attention to the evil
if we may SO strong word-wmch the Peo-
pie of the South are, to small extent bringing
on themselves by continuing this very olScusslon'
The Alexandria Gazette states that MI. rage, OF
Winchester, Virginia, has completed and VIII pub
lsh as soon As the necessary number OF subscribers
are obtained a work entitled Uncle Robin in his
Cabin in Virginia, and Tom without one in Bos-
ton" 1t is not strictly reply, says the Gazette,
to "Uncle Toms Cabin" but presents a just and
dispassionate aspect of the subject partially and
unfairly presented by Mrs. Stowe.
First we had Mrs. Stoves work, the emanation
evidently of a prejudiced and depraved mind, and
made up of falsehood, passion, and calumny. This
work has been eagerly read in all the nonslayehold-
ing States and to some extent in the slavehold-
ing it has been translated into the French, Ger
man and other languages, and has become in
Europe, as here, the subject of general and almost
constant talk among all classes. Then came the
replies to it, and now we to have another reply
by Mr.. Page of Virginia. But what good? Who
is to be benefited by these replies? What fanatic
will be convinced by them Not one-you might
as we'll reason with a stone The very thing these
fanatics desire is, discussion, which is bat another
name for agitation. '44gitate! Ggitate!" is their
watch word and if they cannot effect agitation in
one way they will seek to do it in another.
The Southern people demand only to be let
alone so far as this institution is concerned. They
know what this institution is and they know fur
thermore, whatever may be its defects disadvan-
tages and whatever may be said of it in this coun-
try or in Europe, that they do not intend to a6an
don abolish at. They are satisfied, we doubt
not, of sense of right in maintaining this ntitu'
tion-they find ii recognized in the Word of God
and existing among them as the result of causes
over which they conld have no control; and under
these circumstances, to invite discussion Of its OIL
gin, of its merits. Of its operation, of plans
or getting rid OF it, and to invite these discussions,
too, by way of reply to the assaults and the vile
calunnies of enemies, is voluntarily to throw open
the door to agitation and TO encourage these very
assaults and calumnes. But, it may be asked,
what shall we do? Shall we be silent when works
similar to those of Mrs. Stowe appear? Yes, be
silent-let ycur deeds speak for YOU Be silent,
rather than reply to such people and such attacks.
lie Intelligent, the ingenious, the good among
mankind are not to be deceived or m;sled by such
stuff as Mrs. Stoves work is compose, of; tie
ignorant and depraved though they may believe
all she has written, and doubtless do, not likely
to harm u.s. We repeat, what this latter class want
is contest the institution of slavery; and,
by meeting such people halfway in argument, we
give chem that contest.