The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-03
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

We called attention on Wednesday to the
projected scheme for the revival Of the slave
trade, and showed the relation which the pro-
posed withdrawal of the African squadron has
to this newest phase of slsye-driving Democrs-
CIV. The Richmond Enquirer of the same date
with our article has the following on the same
subject. It will be seen that the editor disap-
proves the proposition, from its tendency to
strengthen the Anti-Slavery excitement and
thereby to weaken the influence of those
Northern men who are cooperating with the
South. Not word of censure or denunciation
of the nefarious traffic is uttered by the En-
ouirer, but its opposition Is placed exclusively
on the ground of cxpediency. We have long
ago made the observation, which the expert
eDce of every day goes to confirm, that it is not
the councillors of moderation who rule the
South, and direct the curreut of public opinion.
Those who propose the most extrayagant
schemes of Slavery Propsga ndism, and utter
the most abominable sentipents in support of
Slavery are sure to get ae lead of public
opinion. The Wings of I : South, from their
conservative bias, have always been more mod
crate in their demands il behalf of Slavery
than the sham Democracy and on this account
they have for the most pa Vt found themselves
in minority. In other n spects their maxims
of Government ere more cGngenial to Southern
ideas of Republicanism the b those Of their an
tagonists. We predict thtt the next demand
of the Slave Power will be the REVIVAL OF
THE SLAVE TRADE. Those who are un-
willing to enroll themselves under the piratical
flag, with these words for their motto, may as
well count upon being denounced as Abolition
lists. A few words Of moderate counsel, like
those thrown out by the Enquirer, will be of
no avail. They win not check the progress Of
Southern opinion, which strongly sets in the
direction of Slavery Propagandism.
We are glad that the issue is about to be
made. Detestable and criminal as the avow-
ais of these men are, and calculated as they
are to sicken the heart, they will serve to mark
out new party lines, and to separate all decent
and honorable men, who are now dragged
along by the force of party Or sectional ties,
from the vile conspirators against liberty and
humanity IT,
REVIVAL OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
The proposition to revive the African slave
trade, whether originating in mere levity or in
an unreAecting ultraism, will not contribute
anything to the strength and stability of South
ern interests. We suspect the author of the
suggestion does not contemplate an earnest eff
fort to consummate his scheme; but if the at
tempt we're made it would result in inevitable
G. T. oil Hoh ~ en- fho
public opinion of the South would condemn
the measure with emphatic if not unanimous
voice or il this were not 80, it would be utterly
impossible to procure repeal of the law
against the slave trade. But if VIC suppose
these obstacles overcome, still an attempt to
revive the slave trade would encounter the
united opposition of Christendom. So that, In
every aspect, the enterprise is so absurd and nu-
gatory as to warrant the conclusion that no
sane and sober mind does seriously propose it.
But see the folly Of merely suggesting any
such scheme. II is proposed to relieve the
Government of the expense and trouble of
maintaining squadron on the coast of Africa ;
but this suggestion will give color to the suspi-
cion that the real design is to revive the slave
trade, and thus the measure Will be defeated
Nor is this the worst consequence. In Its strug-
Gle with the Abolitionists, the South has been
much embarrassed by the charge that its OBJ
ject is not merely defence, but aggression and
conquest-that it is not content with the quiet
enjoyment of its rights, but asrires to an ille-
gitimstc aggraDdizement and deDination This
accusation, though false, has driven away a
sympathy and support, which else the South
would have found among the faithful men of
the North. And it is because tde proposition
to revive the slave trade appears to justify this
accusation and thus Weakens the cause Of the
South that we deplore and con lemn it. The
idea of reviying tie slave trade, however, is so
very silly, that we suspect no candid mind will
believe for moment that it is seriously enter
tanned in the South.