The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-31
PLAN OF EMANCIPATION.


has assumed a character of fearful portent to
the people of the United States. If we inquire
into the origin of the difficulties attendant upon
the legislation of our General Government, we
are still led back to the subject of negro Slave
ry. The controversy which, five or six years
ago. according to the testimony of many of our
politicians, 80 seriously threatened the perma-
hence of the Union, arose entirely from the op-
position of interest or opinion in relation to this
all absorbing question. The Missouri Compro-
mise itself was the fruit of a contest between
Slavery and Freedom, and its recent repeal was
measure dictated entirely by the slaveholding
interest. The present disturbed condition of
Kansas Territory is the result of an effort on
one side to people that Territory wholly with
freemen, and, on the other, to render it the hab-
itation of shareholders and slaves. Why are
the usual operations of Congress suspended
by the difficulty of choosing Speaker but
because the conflicting interests of Slavery and
Freedom have arrayed the opinions and choice
of the members in opposition to each other?
Now may seriously inquire, and the inquiry
is an important one, whether the opposing in
terests, from which such controversies have
arisen, are real or imaginary? Are the advo-
Gates of universal emancipation actually array
ed against the interests of the slaveholding
States? Does negro Slavery, where it is estab-
lished by law, and supported in practice, pro-
mote the prosperity of the people, even of the
magisterial class? Do the slaveholding States
possess, in higher degree than the free ones,
any of the elements of greatness, or any of the
ingredients of present and permanent happi-
ness? If the presence of Slavery does not in
crease the wealth, the peace, the virtue, or the
happiness of the people by whom it is support
ed then it is not the interest of the superior
class that the system should be maintained and
perpetuated. Without attempting an estimate,
by actual observation, of the relative tendencies
of Freedom and Slavery to promote the happi-
ness of nation, We might Justly inquire whether
any system which is radically unjust can be
productive of permanent prosperity and happi-
ness. To this inquiry, but one answer can be
given. Experience concurs with the sacred vol
ume in declaring that it is righteousness which
exalteth nation. Whatever excuses may be
formed for its continuance, no argument can be
required to prove that negro Slavery is founded
in violence and wrong. We all know that ne
gro Slavery in this country is traced Immediate
ly to the African slave trade-a trade now con-
sidered az piratical by the most enlightened ma
tons OF Christendom, including our own. More
than thirty years have passed since the Ameri
can Government denounced the punishment of
death upon any American citizen, or any for
eigner employed on board an American vessel
engaged in that traffic; and yet the essence of
the crime, to which this awful puniShment is
awarded, consists in reducing the natives of
Africa to Slavery. What, then, is the retaining
of them in that condition after reaching our
shores, and of their posterity after them, but
the perpetuation of the offence so emphatically
condemned? Surely, it would be nugatory to
inquire whether a system thus originating can
be consistent with universal righteousness.
If we observe the relative condition of the
free and slave States we find ample confirma-
| ton of the conclusion to which theory would
lead us, in the growth and prosperity of the
one, contrasted with the poverty and decline of
| the other. Facts confirming this view are
! plentifully exhibited by almost every part of the
statistics of the United States. The statistics
Of other slaveholding communities have con-
| hrmed the same conclusion, as might if neces-
sary, be easily shown.
From this brief view of the subject, one i'm
portant conclusion evidently arises, that what
ever interests individuals may possess in the
continuance of Slavery, the interests of the ma
ton are on the side Of its abolition Combining
our views therefore, to the slave States, we
readily perceive that there are two conflicting
| interests-one on the side Of the holders OF
slaves, who constitute in reality meager mi
nOrity of the whole; the other on the side Of
| those who have none. The former, no doubt
possess the larger portion Of the wealth and in
telligence of the community. Hence their in
terest and influence predominant over those O
their more numerous but less powerful compa
triots. Hence, the voice of the South seems t
be always in favor of the perpetuation of Slave
ry. That voice is, however, the voice of mi
nority. Now, an important point would b,
gained, if means could be found not incompati
BILE with justice, of uniting the interests of thes
different classes. What is demanded in favo
of one party, and that the most numerous one
would be merely the extinction of Slavery, b.
which labor would be rendered honorable, AM
the exertions of freemen be no longer placed il
competition with the drudgery of slaves. Fo
the other class, would be required the means O
relieving them from the burden of Slavery, with
, out giving up what they have been ascustome
to consider as their property-an idea to wbicl
they cling with tenacity not easily relaxed
, There are, no doubt among the possessors Q
slaves, many who are fully conscious Of the in
justice and burden of the system, who yet see, O
imagine they see nothing but ruin before them, i
case they abandon the possession of their servil
dependents. To such as these, plan woul
undoubtedly be acceptable, which should effeC
the emancipation of the slaves upon what the
would regard as an adequate or moderate CON
pensation. There is no uncomfortable nun
Der among the shareholders who have little
any property except their slaves, and who ar
, supported chiefly, if not wholly, by the prof
arising from the labor of those slaves in the Sc
vice of others. Now, however clearly it ma
! be demonstrated that the right by which thi
imagined species OF property is held is dest