Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-10-29

terwoven itself in our social fabric, that
if it falls we fall with it, has to be deter
mined upon the American continent
The problem ofSlavery utility has to be
settled on the American continent.
THE SOUTH MADE A MISTAKE.
The first mistake made by the people
of the South was made by the patriots of
the Revolution. These great and good
men-far greater-possibly better-than
we would be, and doing better possibly
than we would have done under the pre-.
else circumstances, were yet wanting in
our advantages, for the scales having
been removed from our eyes and we see
things not as they saw them. The first
mistake was made on the 18Th July, in
the year 1897. when Virginia, yielding
to the love Of Liberty and Union, mag
nanim ously surrendered her Northwest
ern Territory, from which FIVE States
alone were to be made, but frcm which
the Yankees have cheated us out of an
other.
1t was an act of generosity on the part
of Virginia, but it was a mistake. That
mistake was incorporated ia the ordi-
nance of 1897. The fatal error was the
provision by which Slavery or involun-
tary servitude. except for crime, was for
ever prohibited there. That was a tacit
acknowledgment that Slavery was of it.
self wrong And here let me tell you,
that any people who distrust il are not
prepared 10 defend it. tell you more
than tkat-those great and good men
did distrust it. They did not believe at
that time that Slavery could exist al this
day on the American continent. Slave
labor bad ceased TO be profitable in Vir-
ginie. MR.. JEFFERSON WHO HAD
BEEN STYLED THE GREAT APOS-
TIE OF LIBERTY HIMSELF DIS
TRUSTED THE INSTITUTION
They thought it was impoverishing their
soil and interfering with their prosperity
But the finger Of the Almighty has lef.
is impress on this institution on more oc-
casions than one; it is visible in that very
important seemingly invention, the cotton
gin-cotton itself being an indispensable
product, an article of necessity next tC
bread, for the people of the world. The
trainers Of cur Constitution and the mem
bers of the Confederate Assembly never
believed that the institution would be
what it is now-the strongest element in
the society of one half of this Union.
THE SOUTH MADE TWO MISTAKES.
The next mistake was in the Con stitu-
ton itself, and it consisted in requiring
as the basis of representation South, FIVE
negroes to count but three votes, while
the same negroes carried north of the
line of separation would count the same
as Eve white men-and white gentlemen
at that. There was no sense in the re-
quiremeut. 1t was trick-it was a con-
cession. 1t was a concession TO those
who had been thirsting to become our
masters and who, il we have not the
spirit 10 meet them half way, will be our
masters.
THE SOUTH MADE THREE MISTAKES.
The next mistake was in prohibiting
the slave trade after the year 1903, as
an evidence of the opinion that l have
just advanced to you. viz that at the
time our Constitution was formed, the
people of the South particularly OF
Virginia-were Indifferent to this sub
iect
THE SOUTH MADE FOUR MISTAKES.
The next mistake was in the repeal OF
the 21st rule, By which free negroes and
Abolit;onists of every hue were author
lied to send petitions and papers TO Con-
gress, insulting to the Southern repre-.
sentatives and people, and 10 prostitute
the United States Mail TO carrying them
and giving them circulation. We be-
lieve, at the South, that we pay two
thirds of the revenue of this Government.
l think it is demonstrable. II follows,
therefore, that We, by the repeal of that
act, were placed in this condition: we
paid two dollars cut of every three to
carry the mail, and about two documents
out of every three in that mail were pc.
tiIions from free negroes to abolish our
institutions.
THE SOUTH MADE FIVE MISTAKES.
In 1920 another most fatal mistake
was made. Then it was agreed by Con
gress that an act of the most glaring in
justice should be perpetrated on the peo.
pie of one half of this confederacy.
THEN THE SOUTH WAS STABBED.
The next stab, after having your
rights assailed and your power weaken
ed, came from the compromise measures
of 1850. There Territory was &C.
quired by war which New England
unanimously repudiated. and conquered
by soldiers chiefly from the South, in
reference TO whom the State of Massa-
chusetts (and l thank God l know of no
other people on the face Of this wide
earth who could utter the sentiment)
wished that they should be received with
bloody hands and meet inhospitable
graves After the Territory was con-