The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-08
The Testimony OF Jefferson & Madison.

PefhapS IL may Do OF advantage 10
some Democrats in these degenerate
days to peruse the few following ex-
tracts from the writings of Jefferson
and Madison ON the subject of slavery.
In 1862" says JEFFERSON, in his
Auto obiography, 81 became a member
of the Legislature. made one effort
in that body for the emancipation of
slaves, which was rejected"
Page 49 ofhis Autobiography, he says ::
Nothing is more certainly written
in the book of fate than that these peo-
pie are to be free"
In his Notes on Virginia, he says:
1.-The whole commerce between mas
ter and slave is a perpetual exercise of
the most boisterous passions, the most
unremitting despotism on the one part
and degrading submissions on the other.
Our children see this ana learn to imi-
tate it-for man is an initiative animal
This quality is the germ of all eduea-
tion in him. From his cradle to his
grave he is learning to do what he
sees others do. The parent
storms the child looks on, catches the
ineaments of wrath, puts on the same
airs in the circle of smaller slaves,
gives loose to the worst of passions,
and thus nursed, educated and daily
exercised in tyranny, cannot but be
stamped by its odious peculiarities.
= 1 tremble for my country
when I reflect that God is just, and that
his justice cannot sleep forever
May 20, 1926, in reply to a letter on
the subject of slavery emancipation,
Mr.. Jefferson wrote -
Persuasion, perseverance, and pa
tience are the best advocates on ques-
tions depending upon the viii of others.
The revolution in public opinion which
this case requires is not to be expected
in day, or perhaps in an age; but
time, which outlives all things, will
outlive btis e0a also. My sentiments
hare been forty gears before the public.
Had I repeated them forty times they
scould only haze become tie more stale and
thread5are. Although I shall not live to
see them consuaamated, they aOiH not de
with me; 6ut liu;ng or dying, they sOill
euer be IN my most ferrent prayers"
Page. 1929, Madison Papers, Mr..
MADlsoN thought it wrong to admit in
the Constitution the idea that there
could be property In men.
In 1897 he writes to Lieutenant
Governor Tucker in favor of emanci-
patton.
In 1916, he thus writes to Mr.. Bar.
row:
The mind of the master is to be
apprised by reflection and strengthened
by the energies of conscience against
the obstacles of self-interest, to an &C
quiescence in the rights of others; tha1
of the slave is to be prepared by In
struction and habit for self-governmen
and for the honest pursuits of socia
duty. That it may finally be effected
and its progress hastened, viii be tbs
last and fondest prayer of him whc
now salutes you with respect and con
sideration.
In 1856, writing from Paris to DR.
Price of London, who had sent him an
abolition pamphlet, he gives the fol.
lowing opinion as to Its reception il
America -
j "Southward of the Chesapeake j
will find but few readers concurTinc
with it in sentiment on the subject Q
slavery. From the mouth to the heat
of the Chesapeake the bulk of the peopl,
will approve it in theory. and it vii
find a respectable minority ready tt
adopt it in practice minority which
t for weight and worth of character, pre-
Iponderates against the greatest nnmbe
who have not the courage to divest theii
families of property which, however
keeps their consciences unqGiet- North
ward Of the Chesapeake, you may fins
here and there an opponent to You
doctrine. as you may find here an
there rebber or q murder. In Mary
land, I do not find the same dispositoi
/, to begin the redress of this enormisy .
!. lin Virginia. This Is the next State t
, which we may turn our eyes for th
interesting spectacle of justice IN con
3 fiicf with avariee and oppression
J con- Get wherein the sacred side Is dali
e! e!gaiAzag recruits.