The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-27


tion whether the so-called free people of color
are not as much outraged in their rights a.
the slaves.
In regard to the condition and character OF
slaves it may be remarked that they have
been painted by the friends and apologists OF
the institution, in as many varying and diverse
colors as the points of view from which the
subject has been regarded so that all sorts OF
arguments would be answered, but for the
clashing statements of these gentlemen. When
the duty of emancipation is talked of we are
told that the thing is utterly absurd-that the
slaves are too ignorant and degraded to become
American citizens, and too INDECENT to take
care OF themselves when turned loose upon go
clety. Some 90 so far as to insist that the AZ
rican race is 80 inferior to the European. as
forever TO be incapable Of freedom that Sla.
very is their natural and proper condition, or.
dained by Heaven and intimate that there il
something like impety in proposing to change
1t Another class of apologists for Slavery, OF
probably the same, when assailed from diff
ierent point Of view, will give you an entirely
opposite account Of the matter When defend
ing the humanity and Christian sympathy Of
masters for their slaves, they make 1t the most
beautiful patriarchal system imaginable
everything moves Ike clock-work. and the ut
most harmony and good feeling exists be.
tween the head of the family and his con.
filing dependents The idea of forced sub.
lection and constrained labor being though,
of in connection with this beautiful reproduc-
ton of the primeval age is utterly .nadmis
slble, and is set down as n vile abolition inven-
ton. They contrast the condition of the slaves
with that of the native Africans show the inn
mense progress which has already been made,
in civilization, knowledge, and religion and
trlumphantly compare them with the labOring
masses of Europe, and sometimes indeed with
those of the free States | am disposed to ae-
cept this more hopeful view of the subject, with
few grains of allowance and | would re-
spectfully inquire of the friends Of Slavery, why
this great and rapid progress under every
Encouragement may not proceed until the
negroes shall equal and surpass the pres
ent position of the whites in the scale of
civilization The fact is undenable, that the
progress which has been made by the colored
people of the South, has been in spite of the
most strenuous efforts of the law makers to pre-
vent it, The statute books Of the slayehOhiDg
States demonstrate this fact, and there is no
use IN dlsputlng it not clause or provisO can
be found to the contrary. The contact with
the whites, constrained and cruel as it has
been, has civilized the negro, and cultivated his
understanding to some extent, IN spite of o bar
barOus code designed to counterfeit that result
And, besides, individuals are often better than
the aw-makers-wOmen and children are gen.
orally 20. They have in the worst times i'm
parted more or less instruction to the slaves, in
ef legal penalties
DR.. Fuller, IN his controversy with DR.. Way
land, boasts of his open disregard of the statutes
ii south Carolina, in giving instruction to his
slaves A better spirit is doubtless beginning
o pervade the South but it is not yet prev.
llent idea among shareholders. "a Carolini-
IN aud the gentleman Just referred TO- Dr.
'nlier, have much over-stated the prevalence
II thus ieeling-it is not common, in fact, and
Will not be strong enough to modify the bar
'arous code of Slavery, until they and others
Ike them assail it with oil the eloauence and
'ower ut their command. If the wise and good
men OF the South expect to honey the mass of
iayeholdeIs out OF their long-cherished and
ieeply.rooted prejudices, they will be egregi-
'usly disappointed.
The attempt to bring the Southern people to
! proper sense of their duty and responsibility
% the slaves, by assuring them that they are
already profoundly impressed with those duties
IS something like scheme of reforming drunk
ards by protesting that they are already mod.
els OF sObriety. The Bible is often quoted in
support of Slavery. To my mind it is clear
that the Apostles, in enjoining obedience to
masters only meant to apply the great law of
peace, and iorbearance under injuries to the
peculiar circumstances Of slaves or servants
and to guard them against vices peculiar to
a. ~
These practices would detOrm the character of
the Christian under any circumstances, and
we're not to be tolerated under any pretext Of
the injustice to which they were subjected
But, III any view Of the subject the whole tes-
timony Of Apostles and nphets, on this sub
Ject OF Slavery or ~ Be, should be pro-
tons OF duty are not confined to one side The
severest COMBINATIONS are uttered against the
master who abuses his authority over the
slave, and the shareholders should be put in
mind OF those things ottener than of any other
one duty because here is their great liability
to err--eyen the best of them-yet have new
or known minister of the Gospel in the
South to make the faintest alluson to this
tralscendently important matter The best of
them are deferred from broaching subject 80
dstastetul to the ruling class | formerly
heard Slavery frequently adverted to in one
Washington pulpit but it was then regarded
as doubtful ground, aud is now wholly aban-
doned. And if public sentiment here will not
tolerate the admoni;ion of the pulpit, what
must be the state Of things in those sections
where Slavery ia the predominant interest?
know that the conferences, synods, and
councils of the churches have given some at
tention to the religious instruction of slaves by
means OF oral teaching, but this is not enough
they should insist upon the duty of teaching
the slaves 10 read aud write, and upon making
matrimony legal relation among them A
combination Of ministers of the Gospel for this
purpose, with such good men as would readily
cooperate with them could not full to control
public opinion in a matter of clear and impera-
tive duty.
"A Carolinan" triumphantly refers to the
physical comforts enjoyed by Southern slaves,
aud appears to regard the fact as conceded on
all hands that in this respect their situation is
preferable to that of the laboring classes in
Europe. 1t we admit the correctness of his
Statements it will by no means follow that the
slave receives anything like fair requital for
his labor. A mans labor is worth far more
than the necessaries of life, and in every part
Oh thus Union 1t commands full four or FIVE
times the value Of nccessaries Necessaries are
comprised within very small compass One
hundred and fifty pounds of pork, and some
hive bushels of corn meal, with few bushels OF
potatoes, cabbages and turnips, is all that is
essential to the support of the body in health
and yigor. The value of these articles may be
fifteen dollars-not more; to which, il we add
two suits Of the coarsest and cheapest clothing,
including hat, blanket and two pairs Of
shoes, worth fifteen dollars more we have the
full outfit of slave for twelve months This
Is hid share in the fruits of his toll He is
placed upon tho lowest level Of human exist
ence--necessaries. Now, This is by no means
tho condition of the Northern laborer, nor even
OF tho European under ordinary circumstances.
The board of Northern free laborer Of tho
humblest class is worth third more than the
board and clothing of slave. The free man
drinks tea and coffee aud regales his palate