Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-15
Exemption of Slave Property

We find the following paragraph in tbeCh.
 raw Gazette:
 "The Commercial Convention.-Tbis hoa.
 adopted a resolution in favor of State leq;sls
 ton to secure to every slave owner one slave
 exempt from sale by execution. This resoln'
 tion, we consider, to be move in the right d;
 rection. We believe the institution could inno other way be so effectualy strengthened, asbv such exemption, to much greater extent
 The pillars that now sustain the British crown are her laws that prevent the entire alienation of property. And such would be the effect of similar legislation in sustaining the institution of slavery. Let the industrious man who sets out in the world to earn a living witb his own labor, be assured that an investment in slave will be placing his hard earnings beyond con. tlngency, and be will soon become a slave owner''
 There is much to recommend the adoption of this proposition of the convention. There can be no doubt but that, as the Gazette says, the institution would thereby be very greatly strengthened. For though it may be very melancholy commentary upon the weakness of poor human nature, 1t Is nevertheless the truth that the opinions and sentiments of the arger portion of mankind are not the result of exa. imitation and reflection, but rather of interest and education, not to say of prejudice And it Is with the institution of African slavery as it Is with everything else, very sadly to our dis advantage, too; for if |" the world" would but hear our explanation and vlndlcation, or fairly meet us In the argument-t It would lay aside preconcertions and prejudice and sentimenta- lity, and accept facts and logic, our form of So- ciety would have better chance of being re. coguized in its true character. And, for that matter, if the men of the south would rid them selves entirely and at once and forever of the prejudices which have come from abroad, it would be the better for all concerned. But it will not be so. Those of us of course, who examine into the theory and practical workings Of African slavery, are convinced of its justice and value. But all of us have neither the time nor the inclination to make such an exa. imitation. So 1t is that the larger portion, per- haps, of shareholders are shareholders from n- terest or because they happen to be. They never inquire into the propriety of the matter, but just do as others do. Their ancestors own. ed slaves and they own them they see their nelghbors buying slaves, aad they buy them They invest their money in this sort of proper. ty, just as they invest 1t in cattle or real estate leaving to others to discuss the right and jus. 'lO0 oi Vh0 IIIbS. It Is HeeuleSS 10 aQQ that this class of shareholders are likely to rive the strongest practical support to "the constitution and to hearken very little to the nonsense of the apostles of reform. And "when these things are so,' it would seem to be the part of a Wise legislator to take advantage of thcm,- Every new shareholder is positive and cer- tain Increment of the strength of African sa- very. Whoever owns his negro servant is go- Ing to talk for him, vote for him, and, if ueces- sary, fight for him. If the realization of this proposal of the commercial convention there- tore, vii encourage the investment of money by the middle classes of the people in this sort of property, there can be little doubt but that It would give strength to our institutions and form of society, and be of lasting benefit, there- fore, to the whole south.