The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-12-14
WHOLE NUMBER l39.

~ - LIZ ~ ~ AuOAAAS 49,
ing and indiscriminate severity, and I have
no idea that our cherished institution would
be endangered by its modification. If the
object of the law is to prevent the introduce
tion Of an incendiary element among US,
then it would not be difficult to show that
in its practical operation it furnishes an easy
means for its creation and development.
AS the law now stands, colored seamen
who may visit our ports, either in pursuit Of
their lawful avocations, or be driven into
them by stress of weather, are seized by the
sheriff, conveyed as felons through the pub
lie streets, and finally incarcerated in the
vessel, whether it be immediate or deferred.
While in prison they are brought into con-
tact with our own refuse population. It
would be strange indeed if men thus sum-
mariIy deprived of liberty and comfort,
without prctence Of a fault committed, did
not inveigh against state Of society which
thus dcgrades them, and endeavor to excite
the refractory spirits among whom they are
thrown. Viewed in this light, the law GER
tainly fails of its end. The remedy is worse
than the disease it seeks to cure,
recommend that the law be so modified
as to permit colored seamen, the subjects Of
foreign nations, to remain on board their.
vessels, to be allowed to land whenever the
duties Of tie vessel may require it, upon
their receiving written permit to that ef-
feet from the Mayor Of the port and that
while on land they be subjected to the Or
dnary restrictions applied to the native COL
orcd population. Suciiamodifcation would
relieve the law Of all its harshness, without
compromising our right or cndangering our
domestic quiet. Should cur, confidence,
which comedies thus much. sto those who
seek to cultivate friendly relations with us,
be abused, and the modified law be found
to work badly, it will always be under the
control ofsthe Legislature, and can be as
easily repealed as passed. Slavery has
fiercer assaults to guard against than any
likely to arise from allowing few colored
cooks and stewards to land:on our shores;
and we weaken rather than strengthen the
Institution by attempting to hedge it round
with any such feeble props. While white
abolilionists are permitted to- come and 60
among us with impunity, we may tolerate
the occasional or accidental presence of
few free negroes from foreign countries, who
have neither the intelligence nor the, ,dispo-
sition 20 harm or disturb us. The efforts
which fanaticism has madesto, overthrow
the institution, have thus far served but to
strengthen tin the confidence and affections
OF our people. While We continue to dis
charge our true obligations to eour slaves,
their loyalty aud fidelity will remain unsha-
KEN The colored hircling who may visit
us will see much in their condition to envy.
He may realize the important truth that lib
erty, shorn of all its rights, is but inisesa-
bic boon compared with their substantial
comforts and happy existence. 3
Herewith transmit resolutions from the
States Of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
received certain resolutions from the State
of Massachusetts, which I returned to the
Governor Of that State. Had Massachusetts,
confined herself to resolutions expressive Of
her feelings and purposes in relation to
slavery, impertinent as may have regarded
them, would have received them with in-
difference, and transmitted them without
comment; hut / consider The. acts of her
late Legislature as an outrage upon every
member of, the fGonfederacy, who has
right to demand the enforcement of the Fu-
gitiye Slave ACT. a State whose Legisla-
ture deliberately, unblushingly, impiously,
violateseRer constitutional obligations, and
whose people resist the execution of law,
even to the shedding Of blood, is, not enti-
tied TO comfy from @us; and ! feel that l
would have betrayed the dignity of my
trust had hesitated to affix on such conduct
the seal Of official condemnation The
interchange Of: ciyilities with a people who
feelit to. be no dishonot to prevent the.
recovery Of stolen property; will hardly re- ss
claim the faithless, and is ine9InPa
with the respect which hoaesty owes = 70 2:
ITSELF ,sr - 3 -s 8 z s. q
The agitation ins srelatio @ sslayesy com.
|tinues to ssncrea and is rapidly Tending
to its. bloody termination Measures which
/ Il was hoped by some swoaad give qrist tot:
tile coantry and sdigtity sits delibe tons.
have served hut tosred bie Tie efoits and
augp,e the power of BOLTON Civil war,
Eis adifefuf calamity, but ITS scoprg are to-
Ebs endured 10 preferenc aatio1 and
ruin. Tie people Of South Carolina are,
alive tcsthg issne, and atemiHdfuf % theis'
obligations They ARD calm sca,ise they
are prepared Sand seIfrefant They have;
mot. forgotten stheir history, md ths5 will
not lsiF TO- .yiudicatss ifs sfeachinG lhe.s
light I'D prpyide nav guards bsisS isis!
tpfa seclfitg slss been ieAles sl0o
ofs sfhaiis ancestors ma IL viii hs 9urs.