Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-04-01


be known throughout the country thatthe passage
of this bill win affect very seriously the welfare OF the
Indian tribes within the bounds Of the new Territories
proposed to be organized and every digent inquirer
must see that there question Of public faith involved
in the provisions of this bill in relation to the emgrant
tribes west Of Missouri. Several honorable Senators
have spoken strongly and eoquenty Of the duty OF OBJ
serving sacredy and nvoaby all the obligations attach
inc to a certain compact understanding entered into
May years ago between the two great sections of the
Union; and of them in their appeals to the people
upon the subject denounce any violation of that under
staining dishonorable Yet when it Is proposed to
violate the public faith pghted to the feeble Indian
tribes the frontier not word is interposed to save
the honor of the country. We hear of appeal to the
sympathy or the justice of the country in their behalf
While the Senate chamber rings with stirring appeals
upon the subject Of the wrongs of the African, the wrongs
OF the Indian passed by in silence! No memorials
presented in his behalf Yet not these Indians
men. Are they not brethren of the human race,
like the African? Are they not born with the same
equality Of rights nalenabe those Of the African or
the white man
Here, sir must be allowed further depression. We
have heard, in the of this debate, auson made
Wberforce; the oboquy he incurred in high places
his triumph at last in the abolition of the slave trade
and of slavery in the British colonies. The auslon OF
course suggests to his fine accomplishments as eho
lar the excellence of his character as man. and the
brilliant fame conceded to him by the whole class OF phi
lanthropsts and senmentasts as their great leader.
Well, sir doubtless have asprants in this country 10
the fame achieved by Wberforce; but doubt, sir, The
ther they will attain the elevated rank IN the scale OF
distinction which Wberforce ard many OF his sup
porers rose by their efforts for the suppression of the
slave trade well the abolition OF slavery IN thebr-
fish colonies When the act for the abolition OF slavery
in the colonies carried in the British Parliament IN
1888 and the question of indemnity to the Shareholder
up there scarcely dissenting voice raised
against the propriey and justice of the proposton and
twenty millions of pounds sterlingone hundred millions
of doiarswere promptly voted for that purpose. What
moral guilt said the great leaders of the abolition
movement might attach to the stakeholder the greatest
share of the guilt and responsibility rested with the Gov
onment which encouraged and established slavery III the
colonies
But when, sir, have heard from any one Of our
American Wberforces, professional phanthropists
and slavery agtators an avowal SO liberal and just
When have any of them in their fierce denunciatons Of
slavery to the country and stain upon the ma
tonal character conceded the principle of indem
nifty just and necessary attendant of abolition? When
has any Of them had the iberaty and the mannes
to declare that the guilt of slavery in the United States
whatever it might be- justly chargeabe to the
Their country and to the colonies of the North as much as
to those of the South? How srikngy greater the ele
yaon of tone and sentiment conspicuous in the lenders
Of abolition in Great Britain than in this country how
immcasuraby elevated the the other in all that
constitutes true greatness and nobility Of purpose!
While upon this subject beg to refer to remark made
by the Senator from Massachusetts,, (Mr SUMNER which
occurs proper to be noticed That gentle
man told us that slavery in the South destined to
early extinction, because the conscience of the civilized
world was against it. Sir, have heard before
similar announcement by another gentleman, made again
and again. We then told that slavery the South
was q doomed institution and the South was solennly
warned to prepare for the fate which awaited it. We
then told that slavery must speedily disappear be-
the sentiment of the civilized world against it.
Now told that powerful agent than mere
sentiment is enlisted against slavery, and that it is under
the irresistible power of the of the civilized
world that slavery in the South must yield wish to
aword or two to the particular qualities and power
of that conscience of the civilized world with which the
slave institution of the South is threatened
At this moment England and France and perhaps other
States of Western Europe the very centre Of civilization
are eagued together and are buckling their to
uphold the Ottoman dominion the most corrupt, oppres
sive and debasing Government Of the EARTH aud one
which upholds slavery and the slave trade in its most
odous and revolving FORMS founded social or
yanizaton in which slavery deeply engraed that
nay be well doubted whether it could exist without it.
The subjects Of slavery in Turkey not Africans only
t is welestabished fact that there is regular trade
between Constantnope and the eastern coast of the Black
Sea in white slaves Russia when she conquered Geor-
sia abolished that infamous traffic within its limits but
those nyncble champions of freedom the Circassians
still tolerate the trade Yet the conscience of Western
Europe is little affected by this and other enormtes
not only ready to arm in its Defence but the proposition
is grayey considered whether what they call Otto
Empire should not be received co-egual into the
family Of European and Christian States. e
The honorable Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. SUM
SER took occasion to state in his speech that slavery was
rapidly disappearing in every other part of the world
cept the United States The Sultan Of Turkey, he says
has sgnfed his dspeasure at and under the auspices
Of Great Britain the Emperor of Morocco and the Beys
Tuns and Trpo have agreed to abolish the slave trade
in their domnions Well sir the Sultan has prohibited
the slave market in Constantnope but you have only
20 few miles out of the city to find market both for
white and black slaves limited only by the of pur-
,hasers 1t is doubt also that the other Moham-
medan States and dependencies of the Sublime Porte have
promised to discourage abolish the slave trade but
there does not exist the slightest evidence that the trade
in their dominions is less active than formerly.
The truth is that the Turkish Government for many
past has been at to England and France and
great pains have been taken, especially by England to
Grand Sultan has been prevailed upon to promugate
organic law declaring perfect equality before the law be-
tween all his subjects, Mussuman, Christian and Jew
but in practice it is dead letter.
Various other reforms have been announced with the
result and except that in CoAstantnople always
under the eyes of the British and French ambassadors
there is more security against insult and oppression the
Christian less of the ferocous and sangunary passions
prevalent than formerly less frequent use of the bow
string the cmetar and the sack there has been no sub
santia Improvement All the vital elements of govern
ment and society all the practices of the pachas and other
subordinate funcsnares throughout the provinces exh
bit the rottenness at bottom the same corrupt op
pressive, and debasing influences
Now, sir, no intelligent man in Europe supposes that
the independence OF the western States of that continent
will be in any danger from the conquest of
by Russia and to material arrangement of an ex
listing balance of power founded upon any principle of
equality between the different States of Europe which
the of Russia may occasion, know that there
exists such balance of power Yet these the pre-
texts for the interference Of Great Britain and France in
behalf of Turkey But, sir, Louis Napoleon needs war
that is popular with France He has also his ambitious
projects, which be thwartedf Russia should enlarge
her by the acquisition Of any part Of Turkey
n in Inlin ha in,