Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-05-14
Communicated.
SLAVERY.

In these days OF political anarchy aud con-
fusion, it behOOvGs all citizens Of these United
States, impartially to examine the leading ques-
tiOns Of the day, and none more closely than
the one which ID the subject OF the following
remarks.
Every citizen, as one Of tho rulers Of the
country, should carefully study this momen-
tous, all absorbing topic, without regard to
party teelingsi and, having made his election,
stand fast in hia faith and abide the issue.
1t is not my intention to discuss the subject
in II philanthr0picul point OF view; for, in that
light, regard it as rather a blessing than 9TH
erwiSe to the negro. Who knowing the facts
will dispute theml Who will declare that the
condition of the Southern slave is not far pref
cradle to the life OF his savage countrymen,
and their heathenish and cInnibIl customs.
Slave though he be, he has a civilized, chris
tian master, and medicine IN sickness, Conn
Portable clothing, and religious privileges,
while his degraded race in their native state,
suffer under tho most brutal aud tyranical
chiefs upon tho face of the globei arc COM
PEELED to grovel in the dust, whom lao passes,
and who has absolute power over the lives and
property of his subjects. Such is the freedom
of the native African. Who will disprove it
But the patriot should not view it thus. po-
litical question it has bsen made, politically it
should DO considered. Whence did it spring.
What caused it, What is, and will be, its Of
feet upon the present and future of this coun-
try, are questions which should present them
selves to the mind OF every American citizen,
DO carefully considered, and such decision
arrived ut, as should tend to increase the
strength and favor the progress OF our beloved
Union. What was its origin Slavery was
first introduced into the State of Virginia in the
year 1920, since which tine, though the chlel
cause OF its introduction has long since been
removed, it has, and still continues, To protect
and foster tho institution. In the year 1879,
slaves were few, but the legality Of holding
them was recognized in New YORK. She, how
aver, as quickly as the cause which gave it
birth disappeared, abolished tho custom. -
What was its cause } The colonies were first
settled by men who though not too proud
to labor still had sufficient pride to prevent
them becoming servants, each aspiring to indie
pendence. Servants, therefore, We're scarce,
labor nigh, negro bondage was the conse-
quence. But no sooner were colonial aifNlrS
more prosperous, population thicker, labor
cheeper, and our fOretdthers had disccrnment
enough to perceive tho great advantage of free
over slave labor, than the practice was gen
orally discontinued, even before it was legally
abolished. Virginia, Oh the contrary, still
supports and encourages the practice. Do
you wish to note the workings of the two syS-
toms, to see what effect they havo already eX-
orcised on the prosperity and well-being OF the
Union, look at New York, the State containing
millions of sturdy, Intelligent inhabitants, the
country thickly studded with villages, towns,
aud cities, and covered with 4 complete net
work of railroads, connecting with all parts Of
the Union, whose converging point is that
great commercial mart, famous for wealth, en-
terprise, and industry. l say look and draw
wholesome conclusions from the working Of
the two institutions. Virginia with most fer
tile soil, splendid climate superb hnrbors, (that
| I,s,s., Haa9 f.fRH m
in fine, every advantage to become great, rich,
and powerful, stands still and standing in
this ago is retrograding. There must be q
cause. Witness Illinois and Ohio and point
to two slave holding States whose progress can
be compared to theirs. Show the counterpart
of Chicago and Cincinnati cities just budding
into life, who even now eclipse your oldest es-
tablished metropolis. You cannot, and why Z
What is the cause, when all advantages are
equall There must BIO some cause to account
for tho rapid progress OF the one, the stand
still, retrograding state of tho cther. Consider
say, and decide on your future course of ac-
ton, not as Democrat, not as a Republican,
not as ono Of the many parties which now DIS
tract the land and endanger tho well-belng OF
that sacred compact which our fathers loved
so we'll decide not as ono of those, but as II
patriot-as one who has the good of his coun-
try at heart-and having decided, act. Re-
move the curse under which portion of our
land is laboring. Prevent the introduction of
slavery in territory now free. Patriots, speak
to all who call themselves such, from North
to South, East to West. Patriots, the weapon
is in your hands-it is tho ballot box, use it.
Rise, strike blow Tor the fair name Of your
native land. Vindicate your own and your
countrys honor, and let the foul blot that has
so long defaced our national cscutcheon be
wiped away for ever. Then will your name be
blessed by millions yet unborn. May the God
OF nations speed the happy hour when the
hymn OF freedom shall rise from the frozen
PenObscot to the sunny Santee-from the
snowy mountains of Oregon to where the Fa-
Their Of Waters rolls his turbid flood, into the
sea-from the sands Of tho Atlantic to the
golden placers Of California, and roll onward
and upward to tho Throne Of the Most High
| in token Of gratitude tor Divine guidance and
direction, PATRIOT.