Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-01-29
THE BLNNER ANp oURsELYEs.


The rambling, incobersnt and illogical" manner
in which this paper discusses questions il very an
noying to the Banner. None are 50 blind as those
who will not see.
The Banner hesitstes in its reply to what we
have said on the subject Of Mr.. ETHEEDoEs resc
luton relative to the African slave trade, and its
introduction into the House, to be certain that it
understands ''the positions which the UEIoN AND
ANERIcAN has deliberately assumed, and is prepsr-
cd to maintain" Now the Banner is ingenious
not ingenious. That paper, as stated by itself
brought to the editorial table of the UHIoN AND
American, whstit calledS "bomb-shel" Chat was,
Mr.. ETHERIDGE's resolution) which it proposed
to examine with US. The resolution deliberately
assumed" certain propositions, which the Banner
expressed itB purpose to maintain" These prop
ositiOns We have controvsrted. Our position is
nogstiVeIone and instead of maintaining" We are
eOntFevsrtisg the propositions ct issue. Tie Ban
Rg makes IS many feints, or false motions, when
il promises q discussion, as 3 professional boxing
master, seeking for advantage Of position. Like
Mexican pony that cautsrs all day in the shade Of
. tree, the editor Of the Banner runs through two
columns on a given proposition, and winds up
right where be began
With the hope of facilitating the Banner in ar.
irving ct . starting point We viii state, more AZ
ter the order Of illogical sequence" what we IN
dsrEtaDd to be the substance and legitimate bear
ing Of Mr.. ETHERIDGE's resolution, IS maintained
by that paper, and denied by as;
/. That the renewable of the African slave trade
that ID the buying of negroes in Africa instead Of
she United Sntes-Hwould be shocking to the NOR
al sentiments Of the enlightened portion Of man
kind"
2. That the "conniving at or legalizing" that
trade by COngrea-that is permitting to be done
thar which tVhsn practicable, the trainers Of the
Constitution expressly authorised to be done and
said should not be prohibited until ls08-Would
'Justly subject the Government and citizens Of the
United States to the reprOaebes and eDeeratiOn Of
all civilized and christian people throughout the
world"
If the foregoing propositions are tTue-Whioh
We deny--tbe natural sequence to them is, that
the African slave trade--thst is the buying Of re.
grOss in Africl-s, per Sc, Immoral" and "inhu-
man"
And, the abstract morality Of the slave trade
being identical with the abstract morality of sa-
vsry, that institution must be "inhumGn" and
Shocking to the moral sentiments Of the snlight.
sned portion of mankind"
There are the positions, as we understand it
which the Banner has deliberately assumed and is
prepared to maintain. True ithas not asserted the
sequence, but it follows as the natural corroIsry
from the preceding propositions
We take issue With the Banner and maintain,
that though the African slave trade, now prohib-
tied by statute, should not be opened the rea-
son is not from any sicky sentimentalism Of Tim
morality" and "iuhumanity," shocking to the en-
Hehtened portion Of mankind" and to avoid being
'3usty subjected to the TeprOaebss and eDecratOns
Of all civilized and Christian people, but from
purely political reasons Of policy and srpsdency;
and that such reasons as Mr.. ETHERIDGE and the
Banner assign, are the identical weapons with
which the Abolitionists are warning on the South,
and are but the more dangerous when found in
the hands of men claiming to be identified with the
South, GHd welding an influence in our midst
The Banner shall make nothing by this special
pleading. 1t has prepared the table and must par
take Of the feast