Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-29
THE SLAVE TRADE.


THE SLAVE TRADE. alc ~
We have been informed that one or two
southern journals advocate the renewal of the
slave trade. No newspaper article having
that bearing has met our eye; yet, we are sure
that such articles have been written and pub
lished, because men Of high character and
clear perceptions have informed us of the fact.
Every reader of the Sentinel must be aware
that we uphold, justify, and defend the institu-
ton of Slavery. Every reader of the Senfinet
must know that we have never made any terms
with the enemies of southern institutions, or
with the foes Of the guarantees of the Constr
tuition. We feel, therefore, that we may utter
our sentiments with regard to any matter
affecting slavery without the fear Of just mis-
conception. ,4f,> $500, ~,
And, in the beginning, we would say, that the
idea Of re-opening the African slave trade is
sheer folly-yea worse than that-it is distem-
pered delusion. Any friend of southern insti-
buttons who advocates such movement,
strikes at the heart of the south. His adyo-
cacy will be fatal in exact proportion to its
success. He is fanatic, and his fanaticism
can only serve the purpose OF northern 'aboll-
tionists. 1t can do that, and nothing more.
The first and the three hundred and sixtieth
degrees of the circle meet. Extremes meet
and men of opposite opinions really labor TO
help each other, when they press their crude
notions too far. The fact is, that the southern
people do not desire to import slaves. There
is no proof that q southern man or southern
ship was ever engaged in the slave trade. il
ia not to be presumed, therefore, that the
southern people will look with any other senti-
ment than adherence upon any attempt to
bring cargoes Of African heathens upon their
shores. 42Ati ttiHlH
It is manifestly true that the negro was made
and created for slavery, whenever he should
come into contact with the superior Caucasian
race. The attempt to place the African on o
different footing in America is cruel and de
structive, because the negro needs master
But then we have no special call from heaven
above or the earth beneath, or the waters I'M
der the earth, TO take Africa under our guard
ianship. ~ ~ gs,i,
The policy of Great Britain and the avarice
of New England forced the negro into the
southern States and the people Of the southern
States will care for them and make them use
full But the southern States do not entertain
the desire TO reopen traffic which they have
never approved of, and have never engaged in.
They are willing to manage their negro popu-
lation, but they have no desire to see new i'm.
portations from Africa in the ships owned by
the brothers and the sons of the three thousand
and fifty ministers of New England, who pre-
suue to speak IN the name Of Almighty God.
We can make every allowance for just in.
dignation--we can make every allowance for
those who speak rashly under the spur Of a
grievous provocation. Bnt yet we know full
we'll that neither Just indignation nor grievous
provocation can excuse a mistake nor justify o
wrong, when time has been given for reflection
and consideration. The negro needs q master
When he is brought into contactwith the eau
casinn, be can find protection no where but in
slavery. Con6ne him TO Africa, and he may
propagate his species as q low brute and de-
graded savage, incapable Of making any i'm
provement on his original condition. There
he may be free-free to wallow in the mire-
free TO live benighted--free to die heather, OF
as the brutes that perish.
But all that is not our special concern. Thus
far Providence has given no indication that !
IS our special mission to take the whole of AT
RIGA under our special guardianship, in order to
fit the negroes for higher duties, and prepare
them for graver responsibilities. The only in
timation we have Of the will Of Providence il
that particular is that which we gather from
the fact that slavery exists IN the southern
States of the confederacy. Further than tina
we have nothing to do with the negro. Let u
therefore discharge the duties which devolv
on MS, without seeking those which do not be
long to us. The few, scattered southern men
who speak Of reopening the slave trade, d
not know what they say. They speak unde
the impulse Of irritation and excitement Q
they speak without reflection and withou
Judgment at random and without thought.
The idea Of re.opening the slave trade is sill,
ridiculous and absurd. New England, wbic
would profit BY il, would oppose II. The sout
which owns slaves would reject the hesthe
African. II is with pain, therefore, that "
are forced 70 record the fact that ono or tw
Journals in the south advocate renewal of th