Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-14


mere zealots, whose philanthropy sprung from
vanity. and recklessness OF the interests OF
0therso
The Mercury says, further, that the
"South no longer regards Slavery as a
necessary eyil--it no longer dreams OF emanci-
patton as a pleasing prospect--but soberiy and
laboriously in all the lights Of religion, morals,
politics, and growing experience, the question
has been examined, and she now STANDS up be-
fore the world, snd asserts her institution to be
a positire good"
Tho Baltimore Amsrican says, it may not
doubt that the Mercury very truly represents
what is becoming the general sentiment of the
South on the suhjcct Of Slavery" but "when
that Journal proceeds further, and from the do
fence Of Slavery as it is, proceeds to the justi-
fication Of the slave trade it feels bound to
enter it's earnest protest The only difference
between the two journals, is, that the logic OF
one has overcome the prejudice Of education,
and the prejudice Of education in the other is
stronger than its logic. The Mercury is logic
al; the american, prejudiced. Both agree
that Slavery is a positive good, and ought to be
to buy or sell men and women--and that the
slave trade between Maryland and Virginia,
and Louisiana and Texas, is in perfect accord
ancs with Christianity and the civilization Of
the age IL this be so, brother Gays the Mer-
curry, {" is it not all can't to denounce the same
kind Of trade betweon Guinea and Georgia /"
"Horrors!n cries the american "would you 60
back to barbarism ~ aAll moonshine, broth
or; look at in the light of reason. That
lusty fellow in Dahomey is already o slave
80 is that sleek chap that waits upon you
My friend in Dahomey ships his slave for
the Savannah market--you ship yours for the
New Orleans Why is the clipper that carries
your merchandise, an honest trader, and the
clipper that carries his, a pirate2 If anything,
the latter has the advantage, in point Of hui
mainly; for he brings q hcathen slave from
hell where he may be roasted, to heaven
where he may be converted, while you send .
slave, already Christian, to place whore he
will have to work harder, and can enjoy fewer
Christian privileges"
The Mercury is logical, the american is pref
udiced. 1t must take lessons in philosophy
and ethnography from the Richmond Eaam-
liner, before it can discuss the subject intslli-
gently.
This reminds us that we have not done full
justice to our ethnographical f.iend Of tho E1-
dmiaer
On the Fourth,of July, according to ancient
usage, the Declaration of independence was
solemnly read in public in the city Of Rich
mond. As we were not honored with an in
vitation to attend the celebration, we cannot
say with what acclamations the reader was
greeted when he read the following passage:
eve hold these truths to be self.evident-
that all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalien-
able rights that among these are life, liberty,
and the pursuit Of happiness"
But we do know that our philosophical
neighbor of the Examiner deemed it his duty
that day to issue commentary upon this JEFF
fersonian dogma, longer than the whole Dec
laration Of independence. His theme waS
Slavery and the Slave Trade, the great Civil
z,rs and Christianizers of Mankind-and in
the calculation of this sublime position, he oc-
cupied five solid columns of his journal. He
commences in religious frame of mind, in
beautiful harmony with the hallowed associa-
tions Of the day:
aRegarding the institution Of American
Slavery, as furnishing an admirable instance
of Divine wisdom, and as means intended by
God for the Characterization and civilization of
the most brutal and debased portion Of the
human race, it is with no ordinary pleasure
that we spread before our readers conclusive
proofs of the truth Of opinions which we have
always entertained. And no unprejudiced
reader can examine the evidence which we
shall presently lay before him, without thank
ing his Creator for having, for many years
used the slave trade as wise and benevolent
means Of saving millions Of human beings
from the consequences Of African brutality
and superstition. The advantages which the
African has derived from the much denounced
system Of American Slavery we shall consider,
in several points of view"
As it is our object rather to enlighten our
readers in regard to the progress of civiliza-
ton among our Southern brethren, than to
interpose any obstacle to its gigantic strides,
we shall present synopsis of the new gospel
according to the Examiner.
It considers Slavery under four distinct
heads
1st IL has rescued millions Of the wretched
children Of Africa from loathsome and brutal
paganism, and taught them the religion Of
Christ--and has done more for the advance
ment of the Christian religion than all the mis-
sionaries, philanthropists, and propagandists,
that the world has ever seen"
But it is not only Gods selected and most
potent missionary institution, it is also pre-
eminent Philanthropic Institution for
@2dly. That american Slavery has saved mil
lions of africans from The horrible fate Of a far
morse slavery an africa, can BIO rendered per-
fectly clear
Under this head, the Eraminsr brings to
view all sorts Of horrors perpetratcd in Africa
such as clubbing to death, roasting to death,
hurvir0 aliva and otbor ntracitiea which are