The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-27

have acquiesced Amongst the most enlightened nations Of
antiquity Of these that the victor might essave the
yanquished. E s.
That which was the usage Of all be pronounced
repugnan 70 the law Of nations which certainly 70 DO tried
OF all be the law Of all Throughout the whole
extent OF Africa, far know its history, IL s the
say that practice thus supported Illegal In this
thus sanctioned by universal assent every nation has
equal right No principle OF general law 10
more universally acknowledged than the perfect equality Of
nations--Russia and Geneva have equal rights.
81 liz results from this equality that rghtuly
impose rule another Each legsates for itself right
then which vested ia ALL by the consent OF ALL can be d.
vested only BY and this trade, in which all have
participated remain lawful those who cannot be in
duced to renquh It, AS nation prescribe rule fer
others, make law OF natons (not even Masaehu
selts traffic lawful those whose govern
ments have mot forbidden it,. ..
Need anything be conclusive 10 than this de-
eson Of highest cour2 Our government has not in
its organism constitutonay placed any prohibition
the sye trade" calledsimply left TO the discretion
of Congress deemed by them nexpedeut thus Masking it
manifest that orethers had OF those morbid
sentiments upon this subject which now al innate por
ton Of their descendants or il they held any such feel
ings they did not suffer them to exist stumbling
blocks TO the formation OF Union OF all the States
All history bears testimony that the Porugaese COM
neueed the African slave trade in lie year l443 They
were followed by the Spaniars and by the Dutch. In
the years l5858S charters granted by Queen Eliza
beth encouraging the slave trade The African company
established in England in 6T2 and in the year 1850
they entered into an aeemen to supply the Spaniards
with slaves In the year l620 slaves first introduced
into Virginia Slavery originated, er jure geau, by
reason OF captivity.
incidentally win here put case Suppose a sensible
phanthropst was called decide upon the morality
of the following He is the coast of Africa with
competent means He also witnessed thousand cap
ves taken 10 war in that barbarons and benighed coun-
try, and without any agency of his about TO meet
the dread penalty according to the laws of war; as there
understood He found that he could purchase their
som for small price and their lives by having them
transported to cotton plantation in the South Of this
Union, where he knew they would be amply provided for
and their general condition improved What would
Christianity philanthropy aud the ordinary feelings of
humanity prompt sm to do Retain his money, and let
them be slaughtered advance the price, and the
miserable wretches from certain destruction Could be
taus save them and refuse 10 do would he be justified
IN toro consceae Suppose he took also into consdera
ton any incidental profits, arising from the arrange
regarding az the same time the certain improvement in the
comfort OF the negroes what school of ethics could pro-
nounce him barbarous Christian Suppose after be got
them settled and in process of time their numbers became
great and their happiness and comfort increased Pa pas
and their liberation would destroy the same and their ab
sonte emancipation would result 10 incaeuabe mischief
aud calamity TO both races white and black ought he 10
adopt such policy
These grave Questions for the consideration Of tho
benevolent and prudential aA things expedient
and submit il our northern professed hropss,
who have II they really design 10 benefit the negro
should not turn their attention TO the condition Of the
Africans in their native land where thousands upon thon
sands are in berbarsm and idolay more particularly as
the slave trade from its abuses and mapractces has been
aboshe n There is extensive field without compet-
tor for the display of all their kind regards and acts Of
beneyoleDce in behalf Of the negro The Ethiopian, who
change his skin utterly uncared for in thar great
field for benevolent enterprise Possibly the ways Of Prov
idence that past finding may day disclose
that by their introduction here II may DC one oi these in
cdents (though greatly in advance OF the cnnsummation
by which their ultimate aelioraon may be accomplished
1t is buta matter Of historic justice 10 give the Spanish gov
the benefit of their justification for engaging in
the African. slave iradeI refer the preamble the
decree of that at Madrid in December 1917
The Introduction Of negro slavery into America
ne mrs, nS Which % my Tor the
discovered possessions in the Wes soon after their dis
10 different useful though painful labors arising from their
complete ignorance Of the convenience Of e and the
ence required that the working Of the minss, and
the cultivation Of the soil should be committee hands
did not create slavery but only took of that which
existed through the bsrbay Of the Africans by saving
from death their prisoners and aeyatng their sad
don far from being preudioa TO the negroes transported
TO America conferred upon them not only the Incompatible
blessing Of being instructed in the knowledge Of the true God
but likewise all the advantages which accompany civilization
without subectng them In their state OF serytude 70
harder condition than that which they endured in freedom
These the rdtionala Of Spanish morality But the
Spaniards not singular in refusing the claimed rights
OF humanity 20 Pagans. Their example has been inn
proved upon and by its application the Indian races
has been commanded by our Puritan ancestry worthy Of
everlasting imitation
The Purltsns OF New England snder the influence Of
religious ianstcs looked upon the Indians Of that
gon as children Of the devil or pretended so to think
aud therefore only ht for carnage ervtude whilst they
regarded themselves the favored Of Heaven, des
tined TO inherit promised land the Israeites did Ca
three resolutions said have been adopted " commu
nifty In Massachusetts, previous to seEng fertile Indian
territory;
ist Re.ossd That the earth is the Lords, and the full
, thereof.
I'd Reored That the Lord hath given the inheritance
thereof 70 bis saints.
3D. Resolped, That he saia,s
The South have never been accused Of religious ana
esm and they do not therefore, place their defence Of The
lnsttnnon OF slavery upon any such high and sanity
ground that occupied by the PurtAns Of tho East they
simply treat IL matter Of fact In the worlds great
tine and award 10 IL all the rights Of enlightened and
practical humanity submit 10 the candid inquirer after
truth which s the preferable Christanitythat urged by
the Spaniard in bis decree that affirmed in genuine
pharisaca style in the Massachusetts, resolutions Of the
Puritaus Wei may cool moralist remark that there il
such thing absolute perfection II Is all compare
ve and that IL ths great God himsefis governed BY hi
own laws, and may not transcend his prescribed linz
s feeble certainly ought to possess but that qualified
freedom best suited 10 bis and adaptablity and
that good Providence wisely overrules the world
have doubt the fanatics that passed the above
outions in Massachusetts II they found In practice that
they could not be carried out and they able
secure the rich Inheritance would, upon subsequent
sideraon have adopted the sentiment referred 10 in
old, quaint doggerel, and have further resolved
" That this Is fine world to live IN,
To give, TO lend spend in
But TO beg, or to borrow, to get ones own,
'Iis the oldest world that known"
Besides constitution e decisions Of our high
est courts and The law and practice OF nations The British
courts from which have derived much Of legal
learning have also sanctioned slavery legal institution
her decisions but similar exponens Of the doctrine
N pari ateid II Is matter Of notorious history that
both In ancient and modern times the condition Of sla-
very and the Ia slaves sanctioned by tho
universal practice and law OF nations The first rea-