New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-18
NEW PUBLICAW ONX
ADAMS AND SLAVERY.


Gently made himself famous By his correspondence
vitb The 6re-eating virgnian- the notorious Henry
A Wise. That correspondence placed him in no
erviable position on the subject OF Slavery. Is
,u,bori.ed no one to form high idea Of his saga
,ity. breadth Of view, knowledge of the world, or
even common sense. The simplicity which could
lead him 10 expect any valuable suggestions from
the Hon. Mr.. Wise in regard to the domestic
institutions Of the South, reminds one OF his ceie-
brated namesake and official brother, Psrson
Adams in Fielding's novel Of Joseph Andrews.
Nor does this volume inspire any different oPin-
ions respecting the caliber of the authors mind.
We know nothing of him, except from the pres
ent remarkable performance. 1t 10 UNDERSTOOD
that he lie an orthodox divine Of considerable re-
pute in the metropolis of New. England. If ths
is the case, his work is entitled to degree OF
consideration which it could not command by lts
merits. Speaking from the central point waish
he occupies, his voice will be heard over wider
extent than could be expected from Its na'ural
strength. We dare say that he is an accomplished
scholar, q preacher Of enchanting, silvery elo-
ouence. and a man Of sweet smisbeness and
sanity sympatbies. He is, doubtless, favorite
with many pious fattering circles, admired for
hi, JUNCTION, and beloved for his bland benevo-
lence. But all these charming traits do not quail
ify him to discuss wisely question OF grave
moral and political import. The whole tone Of
the volume betrsysa feeling on the part of the
author, that he was out of bis element while pre-
pairing il for the press. II has feeble, indeci-
sye, supplicatory air. as if the writer wished to
obtain pardon FOR the expression of his opinions.
While it crnges with an almost canine submls-
sion to the South, it does not manfully face the
opponents of Slavery at the North. 1t rather
suRqe. ITS, exhorts beseeches, than argues and en-
forces principle. Indeed, there are occasional
passages which would lead the reader, if in
mood Of concession, to suppose that the author
himself was adverse to Slavery. He has hints TO
that effect. He uses language which, in its Lite
raj acceptation, implies that human bondage is
an evil; but this is not his prevailing doctrine;
the cloven foot soon becomes visible, scOrchipg
every generous impulse beneath its tread; and
his choicest morsels of eloquence go to illustrate
the chivalrous virtues of the Shareholder, and the
ebviable condition Of the slave. We are not to
suppose that his apparent admissions against
Slavery are for the sake Of deception-intended
to throw dust in the eyes Of northern readers.
They only show the obscurity Of his perceptions,
and bis yacillation of moral purpose He under
took his task with the view Of exhibiting the sun
ny side of Slavery; but he often relents in its ex
ecuton; facts are too stubborn for his fancies;
and, with an inconsistency that does more honor
to bis heart than his head, is compelled TO dash
the brilliant colors of his picture with some
gloomy shades.
The origin Of defense of Slavery by North
ern divine, apparently so uncalled for, becomes
apparent in the progress of the work. 1t was
prompted by spirit of grateful sentimentalism,
on account Of hOspitable courtesies, during tenn
porary visit at the South,-by sympathy with the
religious exaltatiOn of the slave, in spite of his
temporal degradation, and by q reaction Of mind
from previous exaggerated views concerning the
obvious, visible effects of the servile relation.
Mr.. Adams was led to pass few months at the
South, on account of the health OF an invalid
friend. Hewent, as far disappears, with the usual
Northern impressions against Slavery. The de-
lineations in Uncle Toms Cabin" had produced
strong effect upon his feelings. The image Of
Topsey was imprinted on his mind as the expo
nent of colored children. He expected to find
the whole Juvenile race Of blacks provoking,
disgusting brood of Calibsns and Flibbertegbbits.
OF course the full grown negro would be only
horrid example of the perversion Of Gods i'm
age carved in ebony" The character of the
Southern women had been presented in an equally
distorted point of view. He had formed wholly
erroneous ideas in regard to the influence of
Slavery on female character. Nor were his i'm
pressions more correct as to the general state of
society at the South. He had been led as much
astssy by Mrs. Beecher Stowe, as if he had taken
the book of Joshua as guide on an Orientaltour.
In short Uncle Toms Cabin was like solar mi
croscope applied to vinegar revealing terrible
lizards, snakes and other mOnstrous, blood thirs-
ty reptiles, while nothing but an agreeable sur
face appeared to the naked eye. Thus regarding
the South as d menagerie of rampant carnivo-
rous animals, our excellent Primrose leaves his
quiet pilgrim parsonage, and sets out not in quest
of adventure, but forced TO open his eyes to the
new lights that were to dawn upon him.
He arrived at New-York, with hear. thank
ful for escape from the perils of the journey. So
far, so good. Not without. silent ejaculation of
gratitude, he takes his seat at the table of the
hotel. A row of black waters stood behind the
chair. True, he had seen the sight before. But
never before with such interest. The shining
faces around him called up thoughts OF the South
ard of slaves. They seemed to him like strag.