New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-22
SLAVE EXEMPTION

fusion of slave property among all classes OF cltzens
and thus strengthen the institution by making the
pecuniarv interest in its preservation well Nigh uni
yersal. This is the groundwork of all the argument
we have vet read on that side Of the question.
In taking up subject like this, grave conslderf
tons at once present themselves which should not be
lightly treated, tri1ingly disposed Of 1t involves
matters Of vital moment in its wise and judicous de-
termination reaching far into the future ana
which may cloud with ruin the prospects OF those
who are to take places and act their parts on the
stage of human action. Therefore, let us who are
here in authority to-day and may be cold in the grave
tomorrow, look well to ourselves, lest we unwlsely
entail upon our descendants evils that long years Oh
suffering, privaton and impovershment' Will nov SUI
fee to abate. In such spirit should the question VI
slave exemption be discussed, and III SUCH d spun
shall we discuss it. We do not clam lor our oliiol'
any more than we freely accord the OPINIONS OF ote'S
differing from dishonesty of purpose and desire to
serve truly the best interests OF the Seoslal0 se0
lion in which our lot has been cast.
I We will commence by stating alter having care
fn1l, weighed the project OF slave exemption law,
ro hove been forced to the conclusion that II carried
into effect its tendency will be to restrict instead
of dffusipe slavery-thus destroying the only argu-
ment vet brought to bear in favor OF the proJect-
besides bringing unfortunate consequences upon our
section some of which we shall hereafter aliude 10
and illustrate. In respect have we been enanied
to discover solitary good result likely to flow from
the exemption law referred to, but many evil ones
In the first place, more general diffusion of slavery
among all classes is sought to be accomplished, IN
order to strengthen the institution, and the law pro-
! posed is the means by which such diffusion Is TO be
superinduced and the wished-for strength acquired
Here is the whole argument of the slave exemption
| lists in nut shell.
At this point we take direct issue with the advo-
Gates of the proposed and feel confident OF
overthrowing all their arguments and demolshng all
| their propositions. To do this, will not require any
extraordinary space. few practical facts ana
bomely illustrations will amply suffice for the pur
poses we have In view
Well, diffusion of slavery is demanded to the end
that slavery may be strengthened To bring about
this diffusion, its supporters favor measure that
will make slave property still more exclusive prop
ertv than it now is and to some extent render the
savehoding class privileged class! A slave eX-
emption law can have no other effect; and its en-
forcement could, if it led to no other feeling only
produce discomfort among the owners of other prop
erty not exempt from execution and sale for debt
), The owner of a house and lot worth five thousand
dollars will ask himself whether it is just that his
house and lot should be sold for the payment OF his
debts and himself and family turned upon the Streets
o while his next door neghbor, owning five slaves
worth one thousand dollars EACH points the sheriff or
constable to the exemption law, which protects him.
and laughs at their executions. And this would not
"a be ALL This would not be the only evil result The
IA houseless exhouse and lot owner would speedily learn
to regard the STAKEHOLDER belonging to privileged
class-as being member of negro arlstocracy-and
after learning would right quickly be found IN the
ranks Of those opposed to him and his privileged con-
D reres even to the bitter enc" of destroying the
II ORDER and if necessary, the institution itself We
d may mould what fine phrases we will, we may say as
many pretty things will but this is human ma
1t trre and especially American human nature II
Ne rcvos it was trained to revolt, at the endowment
to with extra privileges Of any order OF men, no matter
- with what handsome words the endowment may b(
It. robel
1t would lie well for the advocates Of slave eNcmp
ton to remember that RICH here, in the State OF Lou
Us isiana majority of the voters nonsavehodcrs
WI and that they can according to universally admitted
est preccpts whenever disposed, abolish slavery with
in the limits of the commonwealth. This signican
st truth we opnc has never been considered by thos
,n who, while assuming unasked, the championship
IL the slavery institution are working in manner cal
cuated TO bring upon it the worst of isa dninr
les ton in if not an absolute loss Of some portion Of tn
a. entire and unhcsatng confidence, countenancc an
hs support now accorded to it at home
he Then again. the project is absurd and lmpractlct
nat Bile in all its heght depth length and breadth d
eats its own object 1t puts unnecessary obstacles
d. the way Of the attainment of the end it proposes
accomplish. In effect it styles the present syste
he bad and offers to remedy it by adopting worse on
' u' Now surprising slavery exemption law was
cr force in all the Southern States Would it dittu
MI slavery among people who do not own slaves Won
icy increase the number of propetors of slaves! Wou
!" add strength to the institution in any manner VIVA
ever? Not bit of it. How would the poor Sout
MT erner who is unable to raise money enough
, a purchase a slave, when the institution is not 81
rounded by extra guards extra privileges and ext
rk restrictions, tnat do not guard protect or rcStri
"m other species of property, be enabled to purchase
be- slave when the institution is surrounded by ext
arc guards aud autocratic projections, all of which tel
his to the advancement of the value of slaves, and nec
''Ee sarily make it more difficult for him to become
~ slave owner than ever before? Where is the mon
ne is to come from? Who is going to furnish the mea
ait necessary to the of this brilliant diffusion
reS idea We venture the prediction that none of c
bv wscacres ever thought Of this practcaty, which
,,s a perfect Niagara in dimensions
h We The head which evolved the idea of dffnsug 5
aS very in the slave States by establishing laws viii
can only make slaves more valuable and difficult
obtainment, is worthy to wear the helmet OF L
or Quiyote We can think of no other reward adequ
C his to such transcendent claims without, indeed,
n AN, bright individual who sought to run steanlb
nT, sixty miles IN hour by introducing cold water
" RI the boilers or that other individual who endcavo
Lest to set the river on fire by trying to ignite pile
, hn ice with box of Matches contest for tie pain
Ior superiority.
TO the Further it is well known fact that our la
erious Shareholders never sell. On the contrary, they
ve' at continually augmcnting their force Ivy rurch
aai" which they have legal, moral and unqncstion
The right to do. From them and them alone, the ID
sion so much talked Of must come. if at
II we look to the past We see prospect Il
c,, And il an exemption law becomes general, we Sc
prospect in the future, except what leads us to bel
Ma I that the number of slave owners will gradually di
es her sh instead Of increasing. The rich nOthin
should such law as they above its operations, ant
indebted will see that all the means they posses
these invested in exempt negroes.
NO 60 But if one species Of. property is to he cNen
alers from execution ii is clearly honest that the
n tho identical principle should extend to all other 81
Of ,,r,,,nrt, is tlpA tn n,vn sl1Vrc ,