Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-06

liver lecture on Slavery" in Boston, on the
evening Of the 18th Of March next: or at
such other time as may be convenient TO me,
between the middle of November and the mid
die of March-and as an inducement to the
service, you inform me, that series of lee
lures upon the subje Jet was instituted and very
successfully conducted here lat Boston, dur
ing the past winter !" and further, " that dur
ing the next season, large number OF gentle
men from the South will be invited to favor rs
(you) with the views prevalent in their vicinity;
thus, in connection with others, presenting
during the course every shade of opinion on
this question:
am at some loss to know what useful end
il is thought will be attained by the series of
disquisitions you thus propose before the people
of Boston.
Slavery Of the African race as form Of do
.mestic servitude, in the earlier history of the
country, had no geographic line of demarca-
ton. Climate, and climate only, gradually
caused its discontinuance at the North and
the same controlling influence is gradually con-
centrating il at the South. Until the climate
be reversed, it will not be practicable to restore
this form Of servitude at the North. The ad-
yantages or disadvantages, therefore, attending
it, must remain with you matter of specula-
tive inquiry only; and whilst such specula-
tons must necessarily be without profit to you,
experience is not wanting to show that they
are to say no more OF them) worse than use
less to us. What effect, either for good or i'll,
the loss Of African slavery has worked on the
superior race at the North, either as regards
their social or political condition, whether to
elevate depress, both or either, we at the
South do not think it becomes us to determine.
We may have our opinions, but it would be just-
y deemed intrusive if not offensive, to express
them. Yet we might, with as much propriety,
challenge you to discuss such topics, with
view to affect or modify your social institutions,
as you can challenge us in reference to ours.
When, therefore, it has been ordained by
physical laws, that domestic servtude, as it
exists at the South, must remain peculiar to
that section; and when it is conceded, las !
must take for granted it isl that the States in
the respective sections, North and South are
alone to determine what is best for themselves,
in regard to such institutions, can see no
propriety, far less WISDOM in the people of
either section seeking to inquire into or to cavil
at the social relations of another.
An experience of two centuries and half
has done much to enlighten the public judg-
ment at the South, on the institution of slavery
in the African race as it exists there. We are
satisfied not only to retain it, but, as far as we
can by fundamental law, to ensure its perpetu.
alton amongst That experience and its
results (for the reasons assigned) can be Of no
value to you; and, considering thus that the
people at the North cannot want information
on the subject Of slavery, for the purpose of
determining what is best for themselves, there
should be no seeming concession even, of their
right so to determine for others. And lest
such should be in any way implied, l deem it
proper to decline Though do so as courteous
ly as it was given,) your invitation to partici.
pate in the lectures proposed at Boston.
Very respectfully, am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant
j. NJ. MASON.