Washington sentinel., 1854-04-25
THE ERA "sKIRM1sHING.. !.


The Era is greatly at loss for objections to
our definitions of the Nebraska controversy and
OF the slavery question generally in the Terri
tories-that it was mere change of resi-
dence," altering the status of no one, abridg-
ing no right, acquiring NJ right, doing wrong
to no one, violating no law, and neither anne
llorating nor aggravatng existing evils.
The objections which it has conjured up are,
first, that the African slave-trade to Brazil
| and to Cuba might also be rendered harmless
or innocent by being called change of resi-
dence.' The resort to such comparisons shows
very clearly that a sound objection is not readi-
ly found. The African slaye-trade is not a
change ofresidence, changing the status of no
one, violating no right, acquiring no right, and
doing no wrong Most of the Africans sent to
Brazil and Cuba are kidnapped; the trade is
IN violation Of the laws of those countries by
both buyer and seller, augmenting the number
OF slaves. They are carried to foreign juris.
diction without power to prove their right to
freedom the status Of all Of them is changed.
The cases are so unlike, that the oandor of the
Era must have been sadly taxed in giving it
utterance. Aware, apparently of the irrele-
vance to the matter, the Era further says:
Suppose the free States were to pass laws ad-
hitting slavery, and a "change of residence
were to carry slavery into their midst; and
then asks, with a triumphant air, would that
be no wrong? We ask emphatically of the
Era, 'roatd At be ,crong to the slareP Would
It make any one a slave who is not already
one? Would the slave be worse off for living
IN the midst of the Era and its followers-they,
too, having the power to make laws for his
amelioration?
In very truth, the Era, the Garrisons, ct id
omne genus, must either discard their professed
regard for the wellbeing Of the slaves, or they
must advocate the introduction Of slavery i, to
the free States. In good sober earnest, we re-
commend to the calm, serious, candid, and pray
ertul consideration of the Era, the Tribune, and
their disciples, this question: Would not the
condition Of the slaves be ameliorated and their
eventual emancipation be alike hastened and
facilitated by the admission of slavery into all
the free States? We desire no ranting decla-
nation in reply; but the sober, candid, truthful,
reasonings Of those who profess to entertain
the greatest regard for the slave We appeal
to the candor and good feeling of the Era, the
ayowed friend of the slave and Of emancipa.
ton, to declare fit be not a feasible, the most
feasible, mode yet presented to secure peace
fully and most promptly that result SO coveted
by them.
1t would scatter the shareholders over the
thirty,one States, rendering them powerless
minority everywhere. Northern people, follow.
ing the example of the Era, Gerrit Smith,
Giddlngs, Garrison, Phillips &C.; each pur.
chasing from one to half dozen slaves, with
the avowed intention ofmanumitting them when
their wages at the current rate, should equal
the purchase money. Surely no abolition con-
science could revolt at emancipating slave
particularly, as by this means it would cost
nothing. And then, only imagine the happ-
ness of the slave in serving such fond and
considerate masters, as the Era, the Tribune,
the Garrisons, &c. Oh! there would be "a
good time coming for Sambo. The condition
of the slave would not be aggravated by the
admission of slavery into all the free States, but
would, most unquestionably, be exceedingly
amelorated We again ask ,chy not admit it
1t cannot be refused consistently with the des-
tiny for the slave.
Besides which, having got slavery into the
free States, it would be very easy at one fell
swoop to emancipate them all.
We beg for these suggestions the especial at
tention and careful consideration of every
friend Of emancipation