The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-25

Slavery At the South and CAlme ~ the North
From the Richmond Enquirer, JunA 81.
1t isan iDdisputable fact, that the people of the
South have to regard the institution Of slavery
with feelings and views very different from the ira
ditiOIal pIeudiccs which they had been content to
accept without Investigation or inquiry SO radical
and complete change in public sentiment In re-
spect to subject Of 30 much interest," could not oc
cur thout attracting the observation and exciting
the curiosity of intelligent thinkers The opponents
OF slavery especially have been struck with this
revolution in public opinion, and they have dill.
gently sought for some satisfactory explanation OF
a fact which they regard as moral and political
phenomenon. But they are not agreed in their con.
clusOn. ..s
For long time as we have intimaied, the people
OF the South were content to accept slavery as an
existing fact-an established institution in
vestgaing its nature or exploring the principles OF
its foundation. Nay, more-the prejudices against
slavery which were prevalent in the earliest years Of
the men who had declared the slave trade crime
against humanity. An universal spirit Of scepti-
cism and indifference prevailed in regard to slavery;
it was very generally conceded to be wrong, but
wrong for which others were responsible, and for
which there was no present and adequate remedy.
The policy in respect to the institution was policy
of tolerance and delay-toleI ance for a necessary
and unavoidable evil, and delay in adopting any
measures for its ameliOratiOn.
Now, we must confess that this was most unphi-
I0sophical and immoral condition of public senti-
ment. 1t was certainly to the last degree unphio-
sophical to live in the presence Of SO vast and mo-
mentous social and political fact, without invest
eating its nature and exploring its foundation 1t
was to the last degree immoral to subsist upon the
bounty Of gigantic evil, without making one effort
for its cure or even amelioration It is an impeach
ment of the wisdom and justice Of Providence to as
fer that there is any evil in the moral economy Of
the universe for which there is no adequate remedy
Yet the men Of the generation of which speak, ac
cepted all the traditional preudces against African
slavery without inquiry; and allowing the institution
tn he evil pOuOht tn HtrpuOfhpn and
perpetuate it. Wrong is never necessary-injustice
Is never expedient. Either men were in error in
their conception Of the nature of slavery or else
there was no insuperable obstacle to 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 stu.
pid apathy. The assaults of the abolitonists drove
him to inquiry and discussion. He was forced to
look to tie defence Of his property He investigated
slavery in its origin, nature and operation. He dis
cussed it as moral, social and political problem.
He tried It by the test Of religion, right and reason
ton Of public sentiment which aboltionists contem
plate with amazement. Hereditary prejudices were
swept away; blind instincts were corrected; the
understanding OF men was excited to healthful and
effective action; ancient theories were exploded,
and the institution Of slavery was viewed in its true
relations. For long the people OF the South declined
the challenge to- discueaion and controversy. But
when they were driven into the field they astpnished
their triumphant resistance.
The STAKEHOLDER no longer shrnks from q contest
of argument Confident in the justice of bis cause,
he readily accepts the defiance of the abotioDist.
But Observe with 1hat different weapons the hostile
parties contend. The abolitionst deals in declama-
ton; the champion of slavery in argument. The
former appeals to the fancy and the sensibilties;
tie latter TO the reason and the understanding. The
aboitionist draws upon fiction for his resources;
the STAKEHOLDER opposes the returns OF the census to
the decetiul figures of rhs toric.
The result OF all this inquiry and controversy is a
prevalent conviction among the people Of the South
that there is nothing in their system Of slavery for
which they cannot find abundant warrant in scrip
tuTe, in reason, in the philosophy of human society
and in the spirit Of genuine philanthropy.
1t is fortunate for slavery that the CONTROVERSY
with abolition is reduced to an issue of fact and
argume mt. The plausible fallaces of the abolition
lists will disappear before the revelations Of the Gen.
Casuists may dispute over the nice distinctions
of ethical science until all just perceptions of right
and wrong are COMPOUNDED, but statistics will
speedily and conclusively determine the effect of
slavery economic and social institution. Area
dy has it been shown by irresistible argument that
the proportion of wealth TO the individual in slave
holding community, greatly exceeds that in the free
States. Even in the North, candid men concede
that their liberty Is rapidly degeneratng iuto cen
ciousness and anarchy. The following statistics,
exhibiting a comparative view of Northern and
Southern society in respect to two most important
elements, are pregnant with instruction and en-
couragement to the slaveholding community
FROM THE CENSUS OF 1850.