Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-11-02
Az ADMIRABLE LETTER.

, :. 49, ,r,.st nlcnsu-c to lay before our readers
. e'u,n,;nc sensible and excellent letter from Sena'
t,r James NJ Mason; aad we feel satisfied 'llal inc
reople of Virginia vii! heartily approve tho SOLID
Grounds upon which be baseshS determination not I"
sccept the invitation of the Boston Committee to de-
liver lecture on slavery in that city. 1t IL proper
that we should state that valued friend III Winches-
ter had seen the letter, and observing that the Com
mi,tee had not published it, obtained from Mr. Mason
COPY thereof and enclosed it to for publication:
SELMA FREDERICK C"rNrf, Va"
October 9, 1870.
To Messrs. Samuel G.. Howe and others. Boston:
Gentlemen IL have had the hon"r 10 re's'Se your
letter Of the 9Th inst, inviting INC " ue"'"t
lecture ON Slavery" in Boston, on III" evening W ,e
l3,b of March next or at such other tie a. may oe
c,nv,,.r, N mi, between the middle of November
and the middle Of March-and lis an lnducemeht 10
n service YOU ia!orIn me, that series OF ec'uIe'
unnn tho subject instituted ana very successfully
conducted here, TAT Bos.onl during the past winter
| s,J fnrthrr :" that during the next season, large
ru,nL.r OF gentlemen from the South, Will DO invited
+, favot us, tyuu) with the views prevalent IN neir
vicinity: thus i'll connection with others, presenting
during the course, every shade of opih"a OH '"'s
question. >, ,..
| am at some loss TO know, what useful emu II IL
thought will be attained by the series OF d!sluislois
YOU thus propose before the people ct BOSTON.
Slavery of the African rs form OF domestic
scrvudc, in the earlier history ut the country h"i
no geographic line of deinarcati"n. Climate "h!
climate only, gradually caused ITS uiscsGInu
ance at tbs North; and the same c1n'roilnt 'nrlu
encc, is gradually concentrating lt NJ th, oo"" -"
iii the climate DO reversed, t VIII NOT nc r,
+, restore this form of scrvitude at the North Inc
advantages or disadvantages, therefore, attending H.
must remain with you matter ot speculative eil":s
only and whilst such sprculutlons must he'esS"'y
be without profit to you, experience IS noi wanting "
show that they are TO say no more oi theh) WORSE
| Wbst ell
the loss of African slavery has worked on tue superb"
race at the North either AS regards lheir soc"i' P
litical condition. whether I" elevate" or 10 u'f'es'
both or either, we nj the Snulh 90 n"'
but it would be Justly deemed Intrusive II u"l ouen'
,ive TO cxprcss them. Yet We might. win IA mhci
nr,nriety challenge YOU discuss such topics, With
view to affect modify y"nr soc'a inslln'"nS' "7
YOU can challenge lis. III reference 10 ours
When therefore, il has baen ordained by physical
laws TINT domestic rIituLc, as II exists III
the South, must remain "uliar TO that sec,
! tom and when it Is conceded, las l must take
for granted it isl that the Sntcs III the respec'
tive sections North and South, are alone 10 deter
mine what is best for themselves, i'll regard TO suc
institutions, can SEQ proprlety far les. wisdom
in the people of either section seeking to inquire mo
or 10 cavil ut the social relations Of another.
An experience of two centuries and hall mas dome
much To enighten tho public Judgment NJ Tie o"u'n
on the institution Of slavery i'll the African race MS II
exists there We satisfied not only 10 retain III
but, rs far rs by fundamental law I" cNS"'c
pcrpctua,iun amongst us. Tint experience ana ''s
results flor tho reasons us.isued) he OF no falue
10 vou erd considering thus that the people at the
North cannot want Information ON the subject OF
slavery for the purpose of determining what Is best
for themselves there should be no seeming concession
even of their right 80 determine for others Ana
| lest .uch should be in any way Implied, deem it
prnpcr to decline Though do rs cour,e"nsy ns 1t
was cveu) Your invitation to participate i'll tho !ec'
| lures proposed at Boston.
Very rrSuct,tfullv, gentlemen,
Your obediemt servant,
7 NJ MASON.