Eastern times., 1855-10-18
EASTERN Gimts,
BATH, OCTOBER, 1s, 1850.
+" A Word about Slavery.

-, of ;rvolYntary servitude, whether in
on, own or in any part of Gods heritage, after
mucb reflection and some observation in re-
y;ops where slavery exists-has recently giver
to the public. through the Boston Post. an ar
tcle replete with fairness and sound sense and
breathing the true spirit of patriotism under til,
caption of rs the North right s-or, WORD
about Slavery and the colored race" This ar
ticle should be extensively circulated and we
design to copy the larger portion as We have
space in our columns.
Antagonistic Position of The North and South.
The people of the two great geographical di-
visions of the country, the north and the south'
have, within the last few years, for reasons
hardly apparent to cool observer, been forced,
as well reigiously as politically. into attitudes
strangely antagonistic to each other and fear
fully hostile to the interests of both.
This state of things has resulted from the
action of two entirely different classes of per-
sous--classes having really few or no sympa-
thies in common. and yet to these, acting in
d. concert, though from motives entirely dissm-
lar. are mainly attributable all the antpathies,
jealouses and prejudices at present existing
between the sections referred to.
One class, TO do it justice seems to have
sincere, in its opposition to slavery, though
certain l am, mistaken in its mode of express
sion. For the other, and much the larger class,
there is not the same apology. The mere pol
itieian, trucking and trading for place, one
thing Yesterday, to-day another. with an eye
always steadily Fixed upon some personal ag-
grandizement. and dreading nothing so much
rs being found in the ranks of minority-has
littleor no claim to respect, and none whatever
,lo of IL
Unlike as these classes are in the motives i'm
pelling them to action, their modes of reason
ing are much the same, and in a discussion of
the subject, may without violence, be regarded
as one .au ..-
.r. The Question.
The question: be it understood. is not
whether the people of the non sIaveholding
states approve of involuntary servitude. Were
this all, simple negative would dispose of the
whole matter at once. On this point public
sentiment, it is well known. at the north, is a
unit. Nor ofthis does the south complain
She does not ask us to adopt her peculiar in
stitution; she does not ask US to be in love
with it. All she asks of us is conn lance in
good faith, with our constitutional obligations,
leaving her to manage her own domestic con-
Germs in her own way. Is the north willing to
concede so much Certainly not, if Massa-
chusetts, at this moment, represents northern
sentiment. large number, apparently a ma
jority of her citizens. have adopted the higher
law doctrine of a distinguished senator, and
assume the basis of action that man cannot
hold man as property; that la1 comforting such
right is no law, and consequently refusing obe-
dience to such form of law is in strict accord
with the highest and holiest duty of ev-
cry citizen. Now, stripped of all sophistry.
that is begging the question at issue under
cover of an abstract proposition which has no
foundation in fact. Law makers have no di-
vinity at hand limiting their action by fiat of
immaculate omnipotence. Laws grow out of
circumstances which the law makers do not
create, but which are found in existence and
demand a rule of action before their labors are
called into requisition.
> -ser Origin of american &drery.
Slavery came into existence in this country
by circumstance little short of accidental ;
grew without thought of it's ultimate magni-
tude; was tolerated by general consent, and
only attracted public attention when rules for
its government became necessary. The system,
to some extent. prevailed in all the colonies,
but most in the south, the seat of its origin.
In 1919, when negroes were first introduced
into Virginia, and held as property, no idea of
sin, wrong, or immortality suggested itself to
the possessors in consequence of such acquisi-
ton. 1t not part OF the accepted ethics of the
whole world at that time the practice was in
conformity with the ideas of all preceding ages
and had received from time immemorial, the
sanction, in some form, of all the most en-
liShtened governments, whether ancient or
modern. 1t had its origin in the practice, at
times, of sparing the lives of those captured in
war, instead of putting such to death, as was
the very general custom in early ages. 1t was
life fbondage in exchange for life itself
Viewed in this light, it was regarded as an act
of mercy, and such undoubtedly it was COM
pared with its opposite and more bloody alter
native. Among the colonists. the sentiment
was general, that 20 wrong was done TO the
African by holding him in bondage. The act
to him was rescue from barbarism and from
condition worse than bondage in his native
land. 1t was step upwards, was the common
idea, and the only avenue open for his intro
duction to the blessings of Christian civiliza-
.tion. With feeling not unlike this. Massa-
chuse;ts, our glorious common wealth, was
slave holding colony, and as such sustained
the Institution by importations from Africa,
and by legislative agreements with her sister
colonies for the reciprocal rendition Of fugitives
from service or labor. The system, thus fos
tered, grew with our growth. aud every
where one of the organic elements in our social
and civil condition long before the opening oil
the revolution. In the middle and northern
colonies the increase was much less rapid thar
in the southern. This was attributable rather
to the severity of our climate than to any con.
scientious scruple in regard to the immortality
o&the system. | mention this here to show
that our subsequent sacrifices were light and
If sacrifices at ALL insignificant, when com.
pared with those now demanded of the south
by northern abolitionists. 10 this branch o
the subject shall have occasion to return ir
place / wish here only to record the fact, thai
if. in our colonial state, slavery was wrong, al
the colonies were equally guilty.
The FHgifipe Saue LaD-IHe organic prori
sion an the Constitution.
By reference to the history of the times, i
will be seen that our separation from the moth
er country effected no change in the character
of our domestic institutions. Throughout thu
south slavery had become thoroughly inter
woven with the habits, feelings and interest.
OF the dominant class, and though by yer,
few there regarded as an evil, mot SIM thu
general feeling was favorable to its perpetua
tion. This was the prevailing sentiment wher
the old articles of confederation were formed
and subsequently, not less so when. in 1887
fhe present constitution of the United Stae,
same into existence.
In the northern and middle states the systeu
ofinvoluntary servitude had gradually come tt
be regarded with disfavor. In Massachusett.
It had ceased altogether, except only in isolat
ed cases, a few Of which for a timeAngered il
the lap of mercy. In other states il was silent