The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-15
SOUTHERN SENTIMENT.

Mr.. Percy Walker strongly advocates the
exemption of slaves from forced sale under ex.
ecution, in a series of papers in the Mobile Tri-
bune, and thus confesses the weakness of Sla-
very:
There is no Disgusting that the institution
Slavery is weak, nor will the avowal render
our position more dangerous, especially if we
couple with it evidence of determination to
add to its strength. The unequal distribution
of slaves as exhibited in the census returns
the restlessness we manifest whenever the in
stitution is asssiled-the conduct of our public
men-the readiness with which they have yield
ed to Free Soil demands in the settlement of
controversies in which the rights of the slave
States were involved-the ardor with which
We contended for the annexation of Texas, be-
cause it would enlarge the area of Slavery
the desire 30 general in the South for the incor-
poration into the Union of the island of Cuba.
from the belief that it would strengthen the
slave States-the general outbreak of indigna.
ton las it were but yesterday following the
announcement that England and France were
prepared to enter into negotiations with Spain,
the object Of which was to provide for the
emancipation Of the slaves in Cuba-all attest
its weakness, and our own sense of it.
The moral power Of the world il arrayed
against us on this subject. European Govern
ments and people regard Slavery as reproach.
The French Republic, even while her garments
were dripping with the blood of revolution, Gel.
ebrates her bsth by decreeing emancipation in
her colonies. In England, her Parliament
rings with denunciatiOns of American Slavery
Her diplomatsts and statesmen scheme against,
her foreign secretaries protest against the
statute of a sovereign State prohibiting colored
marines from entering here ports address
formal remonstrances to the General Govern.
ment, and when told that the matter rests in
the State alone, and is beyond the reach of
Federal action lament the ineffciency Of inter-
national law to abste the grievance. The wives
and daughters of British peers and officials ad-
dress American women, invoking them to aid
in removing what these titled Intermediates re-
gard rs an abomnation in the sight of God.
A gifted but shameless woman, false to her SEX
false to her country, dead to all sense of truth,
delcacy, land had almost said decency)
writes, for a base bad purpose, q book libelling
her sex, and slanderipg her countrymen; and
when she visits England with the feeling Of a
traitor, min led with the rapacity Of the usurer
she is feted and hoDored by lords and commons,
peers and peasants.
ocean unite in protesting against the institution
In this country, parties, sects, and States
have warred against it IN every form, except
by n resort to arms.
Our very sensitivencss under these assaults
argues our fears Of the strength Of the institl
ton.
To think, then, Of concealing weakness
which is so patent is absurd and 10 caution
us against acknowledging it, is TO make towards
of us Let ms not deceive ourselves.
We stand alone with nothing 10 break or
turn aside the force Of opinion which surges
and roars around us as an angry food
Nowhere but in the slave States are the de-
lenders of Slavery to be found. There, and
there only is to be found whatever strength it
has. The strength needed depends upon our
selves, and must be supplied at home.
If there be indifference TO the institution on
the part Of our non -slavchoding citizens, this
feeling must be supplanted by one OF interest
10 and for IT, Invite them 10 enter into direct
relations with it --intcrweave it with their
thoughts, habits, and daily life. Strive to make
them regard it not only as essential to them,
but all important to the State. Let It be view
cd M Q State right, and its defence State du-
ty-thsfit is vital part Of the States struc-
ture--the badge and evidence Of State sovei
eignty-thst it Is the great element OF our pros
perity, and that its surrender carries with IL
Individual ruin and State decay.
Percy WALKER.
The "thirty-four years which have elapsed
since Alabama became member Of the Amer