Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-05-08
The INDICATOR.
STANTON, VA.
MONDAY MORNING MAY 8, 1855
Governor smisl1 and slavery.

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In the House Of Representatives on III,
| 29til uIt., Governor Smith, OF Virginia
delivered one Of the most scalbing, aHd
effective rebukes TO Mr., Ciddings. of Ohio
Which we have ever read In tue course
Of MIR. Smiths remarks in reply &c Col,
Benton, it became necessary for him to
advert to the ':life end times eff HIr. G.
That gentleman felt it incumbent on him
self 10 reply to Mr. S. in coarse and vul-
gar style, exhausting the vocabulary OF
BillingSga;e Mr.. S, replied III dgnj-
fled, yet crushing manner, cutting like a
two edged cimeter--at the same time moth
ing fell from his lips, which could offend
,ile most delicate sensibility, or violate the
nost fastidizus courtesy. In his eonclu-
sion he made some remarks Oh the subject
of slavery, which will be echoed b. every
Southern man. The time was when many
in the South considered slavery an evil;
but there has been great reaction in the
Southern sentiment Oh this question. We
must have slaves-eithef white or back.
and where isthere Soqthe rner " l.a would
not infinitely prefer the service G! eolorea
slave 70 those of tciite slave; The sem
timent of the South as il now exists, is
greatly misrepresentgd il regard 10 this
institution. Not long since, we read an
article in the New York Christian .sdyo-
cate, asserting, upon the veracily of a
minister OF the Gospel, that, abstfaetly the
Southern people believed slavery Sin
which statement is as variant from the
truth as is lalsehood Itself L is trae that
heAethodIsi Discipline pfoaounees slavery
'sin, and that ii is Incompatible with The
Office Of the ministry to hold slares--anG
it is also true that great many Southern
people taci!ly endorse this clause. By lie.
coming members Of chat church but this
is done because they do not consider that
it has any practical bearing haIeFer.-
Let tha question Be pu. eatesoi iealt--is
slavery Il sin--or is It not.-and there
would be an ascfipiion Of ten 10 one in the
nega,ige--ihat is, that II is not sin. Ii
is an institution Sanctioned by the Bible,
and sustained b. reason, philosophy, phi
lanihfofy and e&pedieaey. II is an insti-
tuition, refining and salutary 10 the slaves
themselves, and to Southern society. i
is interviewer with and IS a prsEH1z'aant
feature in controlling the social 4sgs aura
regulations of the South. Look at the
comparative social condition of the slave
OF he SogA and the free Nero of the
North. Look at the comparative moral
physical, intellectual and social condition
of the white inhabitants Of the North ana
South: and if the evidences in favor of
the beneficia al influences Of slavery do not
array themselves to conviction tc any I'M
prejadieed mind, we are much mistaken.
The lag and order of tie South, are
brought in striking contrast to the unset
He'd, riotous and contentious tendency
Of the habits Of the people Of the l5ortr.
Ia the one section, the political and reli-
sioas sentiment Of the people is definite
and settled--deducing the one from the
constitution aud the other from the Bible.
In the other section, all the ismS which
can have no other effect than to embarrass
and retard the Legitimate ends OF law and
religion, are spawned, nourshed, and re-
ceive shape and substance-the Constilu-
ton is considered but thing to SUIT the
various and changing whims aud interests
of men and associatious and the Bible,
the text book OF every shoot of tauaiieism--
whether abolltionisn, anti .liquorism. Fou-
'ierism, Spiritualrapperism, Alilerism, Wo-
mans Rightsism. et id oaae genas--whieh
spring from the diseased brain of every
piaelo. philanthto pist.
But to the extract:
know am wearyin3 the House, but
plead ito my excuse The deep interest fee
in tins subject. believe that The insiitu-
ton of slavery is Il noble one that ii is
necessary for the good, The weli-being OF
the negro race. Looking to history, 60
further and say, in the presence OF this
assembly, and under all the imposing cir
cum>tahees surrounding me. that believe
it is Gods institution. Yes, sir If there
is anything in the action OF the great Au-
thor N US all; if there IS anything ia the
conduct of HIS chosen people, ii there is
anything in the conduct Of Christ himself,
who came upon this earth, and yielded up
his life as q sacrifice, that all through his
death might live; if there is anything in
the conduct OF his Apostles, who ineuieated
obedience upon the part OF the slaves to
wards their masters as a Christian duty,
then we must believe that the institution
is from Cod
Has there ever been nation that SO
prominently distinguished Itself as ma
ton of masters Go TO Sudea. Go to
Greece, where tlere was four hundred
Stoves - ainety lrcemen. 60 to Rome, I
where, in TIE pride OF her Imperial power,
You found some thirty 10 forty millions OF
slaves; and come to our oNR favored land,
and hat 90 you see' " here is any ey-
idence Of iufttiority between the North
ana South? ne see in the South those [
FIRST IN war GFst ia peace, and iifst in the +
IL -