Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-22
SLAVERY A RIGHT AND A BLESSING


SLAVERY RIGHT AND BLESSING.
In another column will be found a letter writ
ten to the Richmond Enquire by a gentleman of
high position and attainments in the State Of
Virginia-the President of one of her distinguish
ed institutions of learning, and the respected and
popular minister of an influential denomination
of Christians. This learned gentleman has for
years been Jealous investigator of the subject of
slavery, both in its religious and political aspects
He has brought to the subject mind Of high ma
tural powers and great research, but, above all,
a heart which loves the truth and that does main
tain it when found. BY his stirring eloquence
and by his able pen he has, in different positions
of the State, impaired to others the result of his
experience and research.
He rightly says, that the true ground for
the South 10 assume in the maintenance OF
her position is, that the institution OF slavery
is in itself morally right and politically wise
not merely that it is ,expedent under exist
ing circumstances. We have no ''wolf by the
ears, which dare not let co." but the har-
messed and patient drudge, which cheerfully per-
forms the task allotted him by superior, for the
high wages Of a comfortable and continual sup
port.
We Of the South hold in a willing servitude
race Of men, TO whom such servtude is the highest
degree Of civilization which they have ever attained
or can ever attain. We recognize an institution
in midst which, paradoxical as it may ap-
pear, is the great CONSERVATION of freedom. We
maintain relation between capital and labor,
without which all the efforts of the strong arm of
government would prove unavailing to prevent
an open rupture between the different classes of
our community. Let Northern fanatcism howl,
and English philanthropy groan as they will,
these are facts.
The relation between the white man and the
black can never be any other than that of supe-
rior and inferior. Any other relation is repug-
nant to our feeings-to the feelings of the whole
Caucasian race. Whetherithis repugnance arises
from impulses implanted by the Creator in our
breasts whether from certain repellng forces in the
nature Of the two races, or, if you will, from the
fact that the negro has SO long occupied this in
ferior condition, we care not. The fact still ex-
lists; and, once existing, we contend that living
together, no happier relation for both parties can
be established than that Of master and slave.
There are several tests TO which political econo-
mists have long rosorted in order to ascertain the
degree Of happiness in different conditions Of so
ciety, and which have been SO generally received
that they may now be regarded axioms. The
first Of these is the relative amount Of crime ex-
sting in any two conditions of society-for
misery-by bunting the sensibities and harden
ing the heart which refuses to break, will ever
engender crime and vicious propensties in the
breast Of it's victims. Now, without caring 10 re-
sort to statistics, which may yet be safely applied 70
in the establishment Of the fact, no man conversant
with the character Of slaves md free negroes, can
fail 10 perceive that the latter far more prone
to the commission Of crime than the former. The
reason is 10 be found in the fact TO which we have
alluded-that incapacty Of independent support,
wanting in those resources which lead TO comfort
and wealth, the unhappy rietim 81 a morbid phi
Ianthropy the free negro sinks into sloth, indi-
gence, restitution, and crime.
Another test, and perhaps even a more con
elusive test is the relative increase in the popula-
ton Of the two classes. Nature has wisely and
kindly provided that the victims Of indulgence
and misery shall not add TO their numbers 50
rapidly the happy recipients Of comfort and
plenty Such has been the experience Of most
Of the writers who have considered this question
OF population. Now, by a single reference to the
increase of population furnished by tho last cen
sus, we find that while the ratio OF increase Of
the free negroes in the United States has dimin-
ished since ls40, the ratio Of increase Of the
slaves has actually increased. And this is the
fact, although the numbers Of the former have
been swellcd by the process Of emancipation, and
the numbers of the latter, Of course, diminished
BY corresponding amount Nor is this diff
ference due 10 tie effect Of colonization in de-
creasing the free negro population; for not only
would the operations of that humane but mis-
taken enterprise be sufficient TO account for the
difference, but no one can be ignorant Of the fact
that the recipients Of its blessings arc for the
most part recently emancipated slaves, and not
free negroes Of long standing.
And while political economy, summoned as
a witness, proves these things 10 be 70, common
sense will readily furnish us with the reason.
"All that wealth ere gave, )" is at last--to use a
homely pbrase--lodging, victuals and clothes.
We mean, Of course, 10 those incapable Of the
higher enjoyments arising from a cultivation
of the intellect, and from the pleasures Of re-
fined society II has been wittly remarked that
all the immense resources Of Astor or Girard
could at last but find" man. Now the slave
Is "found," except Of we may be pardoDed a
very natural pun) when stolen by the conscien-
fous Abolitionist at the North, and conveyed by
underground railway TO Canada or elsewhere
And not only is the slave found in these his pre-
sent necessities, but he is shielded by his position