Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-21
From, the Richmond Enquirer.
IS An AIti M ifabIe Letter., a

From,the Richmond, Enquirer.
:, qssssH An Admirable Letter.
i Itgivesps great pleasure lay before
BUR readers the following sepsiblcaand eSa
cellent letter from Senator gamesssM. MAJ
Son and we feelssatisfe that the peoI
pleaof Virginia will heartily approve The
solid grounds upon which thesbases his de-
termination not to accept the Invitation of
the Boston Committe to deliver lecture
on slavery in that city. 1t is proper that
we should state, that valued friend in
Winchester had seen the letter, and, OBJ
serving that the Committee had not pub
lished it, obtained, from Mr.. Mason a copy
thereof, and enclosed it to Us, for pubiica7
ton: ',''s' = '-'S '0o'' ''''@'5' ~
~ SELMA, FREDER1cK Co, VA, '
=. .. tt.,'.s.' . sa. October 9, 1855. |
TO. Nessrs. s. @. Hone ana others, Boston!
~ GENTkEMEN 81 have had the honor to
receive your letter of the 9th inst. invi-
ting me ''to deliver 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 middle
Of March land as an inducement
to the service. you inform me, ''that Sc
ries Of lectures upon the subject; was in
stltuted, and very successfully conducted
here, lat Boston during the past win
ter - and further, " that during the next
season, a large number of gentleman from
the South, will be invited to favor US, (you)
with the views prevalent in their vicinity;
thus, in connection with others, presenting
during the course, every shade of opinion
on this question"
I am at some loss to know, what useful
end it is thought will be attained, by the
series CT disquistions, you thus propose
before the people of Boston.
Slavery Of the African race as q form
of domestic servitude, in the earlier histo-
~ Of the country, had no geographic line
of demarcation. Climate, and climate
only, gradually caused its discontinuance
at the North !; and the same controll-
ing influence, is gradually concentrating
it at the South. Until the climate be re-
versed, it will not be practicable to restore
this form of servitude atthe North. The
advantages, or disadvantages, therefore,
attending it, must remain with you mat.
ter Of speculative enquiry only !; and
whilst such speculations must necessarily
be without profit to you, experience is not
wanting to show, that they are Ito say no
more OF them) worse than useless to US
What effect either for good or i'll, the loss
of African slavery has worked on the SUI
pcriot race at the North, either as re-
CARDS their social, or political condition,
whether to elevate, or to dcpress, both or
either, we at the South do not think it be-
comesus to determine. We may have our
opinions, but it would be justly deemed in
trusivc, i(not offensive, to express them.
Yet we might, with rs much propriety,
challenge you TO discuss such topics, with a
view to affect or modify your social insti-
buttons, as you can challenge us, in refer
ence to ours.
| When, therefore, it has been ordained BY
| physical laws that domestic seryitudc, as
it exists at the South, must remain pecu>
liar to that section and W lien it is conce-
ded, las must take for granted tits, that
the States in the respective sections, North
and South, are alone to determine what is
best for themselves, in regard to such in
stitutions, l can see no proprety, far less
wisdom, in the people Of either section
seeking to inquire into or TO cavil at the So
cial relations of another -',
An experience of two centuries and a
half has done much to, enlighten the pub
lie judgement at the South, on the insti-
tuition 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 funda~
mental law, to insure its perpetuation
amongstus.' That experience and it's re-
suits { for. the reason assigned can be of
no value to you; and, considering thus,
that the people at the North cannot
want information on the subject of slave
rry, for the purpose of determining what is
best for themselves, there should be 10
seeming concession even, Of their right so
to determine for others. And lest such
should be in any way implied, deem it
proper to decline (though do it So cour-
teously as it was given your invitation
TO participate in the lectures proposed at
Boston.
Very respectfully, am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
I hT MASON