The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-08-01
LIBERAL VIEWS ON SLAVERY.
Eriract Of a letter from citizen Of Near Or
ieanS 10 n friend IN .HasSacbuscffs.
NEW Grt EANS Tnnn IG 1876

EdtfHtt % ieHeF from CHt1eR oJ 1feD OF-
leans TO n friend in .HasSachuscfts.
New ORLEANS, June IG, 1886.
+ | had originally intended to make this letter
merely an invitation Of your attention 10 what
deemed a just vlndication of friends conduct
but as write, | feel tempted 10 90 somewhat
further, and make few remarks to a northern
friend whom have been accustomed, on good
grounds, to regard as person Of learning, pie
ty, and maRllHpSs, and as such naturally eXer-
cising an important influence over the feelings
and opinions OF people in your section OF :he
Union.
The times are, indeed sadly out of joint, and
portend danger-perhapS immediate and grave
danger--to the public welfare Al such time
it brcomrs all mrn who love their country, and
whose preceps aud example are likely to eXer-
else some control over lis fate, to ponder upon
the condition Of public affairs, aud SEE how far
they. in their individual spheres, can DO some-
thing to tranquilze the excited passions of their
1rliowcitizens, and direct their reason and
.arrse of Justice to a candid consideration of the
true interests and welfare of our common coun-
Try.
Slavery is tbe theme which now, unhapply,
dSiractS the Union. In the contemplation Of
it, and in the midst of the struggle Of attacks
and defence, good many men in both srctiOHs
Of the Union seem clargeable with the fault Of
forgetting candor in passion, and Justice in pre-
.iudicp. From such q course can come nothing
bat excitement, recrnination, violence, and
perhaps dlsunon
Or slavery in the abstract, and considered as
ifit were an institution which we could abro-
gate or maintain, as the national judgment
might elect, DO not desire to speak at length.
1t is subject on which the minds Of good and
wise men have differed. Some are clearly OF
opinion that il is great political and moral evil,
opposed to religion and Justice, and hostile 10
the welfare Of the human race, and especially
10 the African race. OtherS-and ] might
mention among them an eminent northern Di-
vlne whom ! have the satisfaction of knowing,
and who, NAV add is your warm admirpr-
think that, as a question OF the welfare OF the
African race in this country, the institution
does more good than harm, and, upon large and
extended considerations Of humanity, should
not be disturbed.
But, without entering into the abstract ques-
ton, is it not orr duty to treat the subject of
slavery in the Union practicaiIy-as an estab-
IiShed fact-and deal with ii as such, if it be
our sincere desire to know what our duty TO
our country requires!
Looking at the matter in this light, how
ought we to feel and to think? What ought
~ 20 do.
II seems TO ne our first duty, as lovers of our
country, is to be Just and iorbearing to each
other 10 calm, if we can, the violence of pas
sion, silence the voice Of prejudice, and appeal,
each OF us, in his own mind and his own heart,
10 the pron'Pings Of justice, charity, and con-
Slltutona! duty.
The slavery Of the South, be the Institution
abstractly good or bad, is not the creature of to-
day, nor Of his own choice. 1t was planted in
the South more than century ago it has Ia
ken deep root lis abolition, be il abstractly de-
sirable or net, is for very many years to come
moral and physical impoSSibity. Under these
circumstances, what are good men in the South
and in the North to do? They are to make the
best Of it for themselves and for their common
country. Shareholders, by Conscientious at
tention TO the physical and moral welfare OF the
slave, directed BY just practical reference to
his StatVs OF slavery as IT is, and as It must un-
questionably remain for many generations: and
ALL northern men and southern men, BY
conscientious care, not to disturb the peace of
the South, the prosperity OF the North, and the
stability of that Union which we should all
cherish, by agiatlonS, hy insult, by mutual CEN
sure and recrminaions. We should, in
word, be just TO each other, and jnst to the con-
stitrtion, to which we have all sworn fealty.-
To say there is higher law is in my Judgment,
upon fair and practical analysis Of the Propo-
sition, immoral and irreiglouS.
Entertaining such views, and feeling such
emotion, condemn on the one hand the fanat-
icsm of many of the North, and on the other
hand the rash violence of some at the South.
In conclusion, let me say that some men al the