The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-12-28
SLAVERY IN RELATION TO THE
UNION,

We find in the Baltimore Patriot an ex-
tract of letter from the Rev. Charles Wads-
worth, of Philadelphia, upon the subject of
slavery and its relation to the Union. How
to get rid of slavery, the Reverend gentle
man confesses, "is problem perplexing to
all christian philosophy" the solution of
which must necessarily be left to higher
power. "None but fanatic or fend," he
says, sever thought seriously, for one moment
of solving the problem by dssolying the
Union; for in the first place, such dissolution
so far from freeing the slave would leave him
more hopelessy bondman in great South
ern military confederacy. Aud secondly,
even if it resulted in the abolition Of slavery,
it would be treating an evil on the old hero
ic plan of setting fire TO house to get
rid of a broken sash,or cutting off mans
head to cure his arm of paralysis" We agree
with the Patriot, that while knowing nothing
Of Mr. Wadsworth's political atlinities, but
regarding him simply as exer,ing his influ-
ence in behalf of harmony and concord be-
tween the several States of the Uuon, we
admire the spirit which has actuated him, at
this delicate crisis, and in the city Of Phila-
delphia, to denounce those daring Northern
ngitators, who regard the integrity of the Re.
public as Of less value than the questionable
good which might result from the manumis-
sion of the Southern slaves.
We subjoin the following paragraph, in
which this Nnorthern clergyman boldly con-
tends, but in spirit too sanguine, we fear:
"That this Union can neusr be diSSolued be-
cause it is the result of a great organic law
which makes it, as the different members of
a common body, by the great principle of a
common life, one and indissoluble forever
not conglomerate of States, but a great
and composite Nation. Nevertheless, .as vi
olence may destroy common life by dis.
severance of its members, so this Union,
wbieit cannot be peacefully dissOlued, like an
ice-hil in the sun, may yet be rent into frag-
ments, as mountain rent by an earthquake.
We do not say that this shall never happen,
but this we do say, with the clearest the
camest, and most assured confidence, that
this question of Southern Slavery is not the
earthquake that has power to sever U.S.
There has been, indeed, since Solomon's
time, regular descent Of men, "from whom
though brayed in a mortar, among wheat,
with peste, yet foolishness will not depart"
lmpracticable and malignant fools, who, like
Hcrostratus, would gain for themselves I'M
mortal infamy, by the destruction of glorious
structures like the Ephcsan Temple of Diana.
And such are tho men, who for the sake
Of the black men scattered thinly over the
continent, would destroy this confederacy;
and for the abstract and imaginary right of
poor fragment Of race--to whom its exer-
else, If practicable, were destructive and dis
astrous- would madly destroy the last hope
Of worlds salvation, and bring down, upon
all races, the burden of ancestral bondage
adamantine and forever. Nevertheless, with
such men, the great Anglo.Amcrican mind
has no sympathy whatever. This question Of
slavery is, confessedly a perplexing and dis.
turbing thing in our body polite, aud about
it mon differ honest and widely; but then
there is one greater and grandor question
about which the overwhelming and increas.
ing majority of this people never have differ
ed, never will differ, and that is, steadfdSt
and inferible purpose TO preserve, against all
enemies and Dith their hearts best blood, this
glorious Union indissoluble and for erer!"