The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-07-07
From the Richmond Enquirer. June 2l.
The Issue and tIae Argument.

| traditional preludices which they had been conten
TO accept without investigation or inquiry. 81
radical and complete change IN public sentimen
in respect to subject Of much interest. could
not occur without attracting the observation auC
exciting the curiosity OF intelligent thinkers. The
opponents OF slavery especially, have been struck
with this revolution in public opinion, and they
have diligently sought for some satisfactory ex-
| PLANTATION OF fact which they regard as a moral
and political phenomenon. But they are not greed
| in their conclusion. The New Tribune, repre-.
senfing one class of inquiriers, thinks .hA
| in the value Of slave property, has wrought cor
responding change in the estimate oi morality OF
the instlu,on-reversing the process of public
| opinion in the North, which condemned and re-
| pudiated slavery when it ceased TO be profitable
investment. Another cinss maintain that aggrcs-
sons and violence of The abolitionIsts have exas.
perated the pride Of Southern men, nave driven
them into the extreme OF pro-slavcry feeling, and
have provoked them TO dogged, unrehsoning
defence Of the institution. These men cannot con.
ceive it possible that the present pro. slavery feeling
Of the South is The result Of phlosophic inquiry
and honest conviction.
For a long iimc, have intimated, tho
people Of the South were content to accept slavery
as an existing fact, established institution, With
out-investgating its nature exploring The prlncl
plies of its foundation. Nay, more-the prejudices
against slavery which prevalent in he earliest
years of the Republic, wero Inherited by the de-
scendans Of The men Tho had declared the slave
trade crime against humanity. An universal
spirit of skepcism and Indifference prevailed in
regard TO slavery; it was very generally conceded
10 be a wrong, but u wrong for which others were
responsible, and for which there present
and adequate remedy. The policy in respect TO
the institution, policy of tolerance and delay
-tolerance for a necessary and unavoidable evil,
and delay in adopting any measures for its amel-
ioraon.
Now, we must confess that this was most un-
philosophical and immoral condition of public
sentiment. 1t certainly 10 the last degree
unphilosophica 10 live i'll the presence Of so vast
and momenous social and political (act without
investigating its nature and exploring its founda.
ton. 1t was 10 the last degree immoral TO subsst
upon the bounty of gigantic evil without making
one effort for its cure even an,elioration. Ii
an impeachment of the wisdom and jpsce OF
Providence TO assert that there is any evil in the
moral economy of the universe, for which there is
adequate remedy. Yet, the men of the genera
tion speak, accepted all the traditional preju.
dices against African slavery without inquiry; ana
allowing the institution 10 be an enormous evil,
sought to strengthen and Perperuate it. Wrongis
never necessary, injustice is never expedient.-
Either men were in error in their conception OF
the nature Of slavery, or else there insuper-
able obstacle 10 its abolition. In either case,
they were false to the obligations of conscience IN
not undertaking to carry out their convictions of
right and duty
AT last the stakeholder was aroused from this
stupid apathy. The assaults Of the aboIiiionist
drove him inquiry and discussion. lie was
forced TO look TO the deiences Of his property. He
investigated slavery in its origin nature and oper-
alton. He discussed it a moral, social and
political problem. He tried il by the test OF re-
ligion, right and reason. And what was the result?
Why, that the very condition of public sentiment
which abotionists contemplate with nmazement.
Hereditary prrjudccs swept away; bind
instincts corrected; the understanding Of
men excited 10 healthful and eff Give action
ancient theories were exploded, and the institution
Of slavery was viewed in its true relations. For
long the people OF the South declined rhe challenge
10 discussion and controversy. But when they
we're driven into the field, they nstOnished and
the enemy by their resources an6 their
triumphant resistance.
Tie STAKEHOLDER no longer shrinGs from a con.
est of argument. Confident in the justice Of his
;ause he readily accepts the defiance of the aboli-
ionist. But observe with what different weapons
he hostile parties contend. The aboIitionist deals
n defamation The champion Of slavery 10 argu.
nent. The former appeals 10 the fancy aud sen.
Utilities; the latte: TO The and understand.
ng. The nboonist draws upon fiction for his
esources. The STAKEHOLDER opposes the returns Of
he census to the deceitul figures Of rhetoric.
The result nf all this inquiry and controversy IS
prevalent conviction among the people OF rhe
south, that there is nothing in their system of
lavery for which they cannot find abundant war
ant in scripture, in reason, in the philosophy Of
uman society, and in the spirit of genuine phi
anthropy.
1t is fortunate for slavery that the controversy
With abolition is reduced 10 an issue OF lact and
rgumenf. The plausible fallacies of the abolition.
SITS will disappear before The revelation OF the cen.
US. CasuIsts may dispute the nice distinc-
ions OF ethical science until all just perceptions Of
light and wrong con!ounded. but statistics viii
peedily and concIusively determine the effect OF
lavery an economic and social institution. Al.
eady has it been shown by irresistible argument,
hat The proportion Of wealth 10 the individual in
slaVehoIding community, greatly exceeds that in
he free States Even in the North, candid men
oncede that their liberty is rapidly degeneraing
lto license ard anarchy. The following statistics,
xhibiling comparative view of Northern and
outhern society in respect to two most important
lements, are pregnant with instruction and en-.
ouragement TO the slavehotding community:
FROM THE CENSUS OF 1850.
STATES. Population No of No of
Churches. Criminals
Iaine, 5e3,I69 945 90