The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-13
Another Letter from Mr.. LETTERS on.

Our antiquarian friend has picked up
another letter from the "apo,tle Of Demoe-
raey," which hs desires US to publish for
tho benefit of tho Democracy, "old and
young" within the circulation Of our paper,
who have lmbibed tho idea that the support
Of slavery.i is consistent with true Democracy.
The letter was written, VIC think in 1914
and to slaveholding friend who had come
to the conclusion that the "psculiar institu.
ton" was too peculiar to suit his tasto long
or.
MONTICELLO, Aug. 25.-14. i.
Dear Sir Your favor of July 81, was
duly received, and was read with peculiar
pleasure. The sentiments breathed through
the whole do honor to both the head and
heart Of the writer. Mine, on the subject
of the slavery of negroes having long since
been in possession of tho public, and time
has only served to give them stronger root.
The love OF justice and tho love Of country
plead equally the cause Of these people, and
II is mortal roproach to US that they should
have pleaded it so long in vain, and should
have produced not q single effort, nay I
fear no, much serious willingness to relieve
them and ourselves from our present condi-
ton of moral and political reprobation.-
From those Of former generation, who were
in the fullness of age when came into pub.
lie life, which was while our controversy
with England was on paper only. ! soon saw
that nothing was TO be hoped Nursed and
educated in the daily habit Of seeing the do.
graded condition, both bodily and mental.
Of those unfortunate beings, not rejecting
that that degradation was very much the
work Of themselves and their fathers, few
minds had yet doubted but that they were
as legitimate subjects Of property as thcir
horses or cattle. The quiet and monotonous
course Of colonial life had been disturbed by
no alarm, and little reflection on the value
Of liberty and when alarm was taken at on
enterprise on their own, IL was not easy 10
carry them the whole length Of tho princi.
Piles which they invoked for themselves. In
the first or second session OF the Legislature
after became member, drew 10 this
subject the attention Of Col. Bland, one oI
the Oldest, ablest, and most respected mem.
bcrs, and he undertook 10 movo for certain
moderate extensions Of the laws to these
people. seconded his motion, and, Us q
Younger member, was more spared in the
debate /; but he was denounced as on enemy
to his country, and vas treated with the
grossest indccorum. From m early stage
of our revolution, other md moro distant
duties were assigned me, so that from that
time till my return from Europe in 1889 and
may say, till I returned to reside at home
In 1909, I had little opportunity Of knowing
the progress Of public sentiment hero, on
this subject. had always hoped that the
younger generation, receiving their early i'm.
pressions after the fame Of liberty had been
kindled in every breast, md had become, "a
it were the vital spirit Of every American,
that the generous temperament Of youth
analogous to the motion Of their blood, and
above tho suggestions ofavancc, would have
sympathized With oppression wherever
found, and proved their love Of liberty be-
yond their own share oft. But my inter
course with them, since my return, has not
been sufficient TO ascertain that they had