The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-12-03
REoPENING OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

RBoPENING OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
We have already furnished our readers with the views Of
several Of the leading organs Of the southern democracy
in regard the peculiar and extreme doctrines recently
put forth by the Charleston Mercury and New Orleans
Dela-doctrines happy to state which yet to
receive far observation extends the approval OF
the first democratic press North South. The PROPOSE
ton of Gov Adams OF South Carolina in regard to the
reopenng of the African slave trade meets, If possible
with less favor The powerful and TO our mind unz
answerab reply of the Richmond Enquirer to the argu-
employed by the governor has already appeared in
our columns To show in what light the proposition is
viewed by the great conservative class at the North
make for the subjoned article from the New York
Journal of Commerce, paper which acquainted
with its past will pretend to say is nmica in
different southern rights southern institutions south
ern prosperity;
While the advocacy of the reopening the slave trade
as also of independent southern conederacy
fined to the visionary specuaons of that portion Of the
press whose uraism neutralized its influence
occasion TO comment upon the futy of mpractcable
scheme. But that the governor of the State OF
South Carolina has fit to recommend the hrsnamed
project in his message to the Legislature the carrying
out of policy demanded by the interests committed TO
the protection OF that body the time TO have arrived
for decided expression of sentiment the part of the
conservative press condemnatory Of the scheme as
cuted by any attempt to give 1t congressional sanction
without hazard of provoking controversy preudca 10
the veal We do not think 1t necessary to enter
upon other considerations connected with the morality Of
the traffic The argument OF the impracticaby Of ts
vva is of itself conclusive against the agitation of any
plan to effect it. By the common consent Of civilized
States the slave trade ID declared to be piracy 1t 10 &C
stgratized and made punishable with the penalty app
cable to that offence by act of Congress- and also in the
treaty by which the United States has bound itself to
operate with naval force employed the coast of Aca
to repress its pursuit by contraband dealers The whole
Europe is united in like condemnation of the trade anC
nearly all OF the European States have bound themselves
reciprocay to exercise and admit the right of search will
view to the detection and punishment Of persons
engaged in it, The United States, mpelled by tradi
tonal policy to resist the empoyment-eyen for end
which this government approves-of instrumentalit
which dear-bought experience has taught her is capa
BILE of being abused to the derogaton of the soyer
eighty of her ag refused to accept the proposition
the European powers for mutual right of search But
show less earnesness in the desire to repress ra
which, in the circumstances that attend il, is revolving Il
the humanity of the age, government stipulated u
maintain efficient squadron upon the African coast
to employ it in the repression Of slave dealing and TO
many years have executed this engagement with e
fcency attested by numerous captures and with pre-
venve influence which has operated to the great dscour
agement and diminution Of the trade. But senmen
prevails the North the subject of the slave trade
that sentiment fully arms the policy of the law and tn
adopted by the federal government to enforce it
execution We have hesitation in saying that if the lie
CALLING of the slave trade in opposition to what is
cognsed public law by all civilized nations, mad
by the States the confederacy the condition
continued voluntary adherence to the Union there wou
still prevail the uniform and decided opposition Il
| the retrogressive action demanded which exists
and that if need were that opposition would be i'm
bodied in resistance to be eectualy exerted what
i ever hazard We say this under apprehension tina
any serious attempt is likely to be made to accom-
pish that object Men prone to cherish in contem
plaon all sorts Of visionary projects that imagination
be stimulated by seinterest to devise But when it
to action the wise pursue such objects only
pronounces practicable Governor Adams says his hope
sp1ta
Of society," 1t is because Of the powerful personal nteres
whose influence he Acknowledges that refuse believ
in his readiness dissolve the Union of the States and
defy the sentiment Of the civilized world rattle
than abide by the constitution and laws Of his country
which TO him the possession and enjoyment of hi
fortune and sustain his hopes by reconcng their proec
ton with the general and interest of mankind TIL
views of Gov. Adams will find echo in the prevailing
sentiment of that section Of the country with which the in
terests of South Carolina assimated Ii Is only FEY
DAYS since that the Richmond Enquirer repud
aed the charge of advocating revival of the slave trade
and challenged attention to the obvious irony Of the
from its columns which the mputation declared
be founded The paper, in another article, presses
upon the Charleston Mercury and the New Orleans Deltl
and upon those who actively support the they advo
cate the judicous advice which Gov Adams would like
wise do well ponder, TO abstain from urging upon tn
President elect "a policy which, the nature of thngs
cannot undertake" There is nothing more mnracticabl
in the most ultra Of their schemes than the project of
CALLING the African slave trade to which the governor
South Carolina has given the sanction Of official
mendaton We have not quoted his argument based upo
the prospect Of competition in the production Of cotton
the encouragement held out to stimulate its growth in tn
East Indies and Algeria To maintain present posi-
ton" he says we must have cheap labor also This
be obtained in but way-by reopening the African
slave trade" We do not follow him in illustrating tn
argument by which he seeks to establish this position be
discussion is superhuous Of a scheme manstly i'm
| practicable.
We knew Gov Adams before be entered upon the spher
of public life The promise Of his youth his intei
gence large requirements and the manliness and elevation
Of his character commanded the admiration of his
ciaes and enlisted their sympahies for his success and
have watched the rapid progress Of his political
with anticpaons that blended interest in bis persona
triumphs with cherished expectations that his
abilities would be devoted TO the promotion Of the prosper
y, the stability, and the glory Of country W
trust yet however present influences may operate
him from the path Of larger patriotism, that time and
Fiction will moderate his views and that he will com
eventually to his personal honor and the wefar
Of his beloved State alike involved in the studous prosecu
ton Of policy which seeks by ooncsting and harmo
Mining the views and interests Of communities spread
the breadth Of continent TO strengthen the nationally
and promote the perpeuity Of the republic,
GALL THE LEARNING"
| The Newark Mercury. in a recent artice said