New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-03
THE REV. DIR. ROSS an ABOLI1IONiSI.

The Rev. DIR. Ross who is now the chief orator for
Slavery in the New-School Presbyterian Church,
audes daipty to the fact that he once felt called on
tn emancpate his slaves. This statement does him
but partial justice. lie not only did this, but he
wrote, over twenty-five years ago, the following
creditabe letter which we copy, for all the world,
from the columns of Tie Ner- York O5serrer OF those
better davs Compare the positions of this letter with
those now held by its author and The Obscrrec and
Judge whether they have progressed toward or away
fiom the true light since it was first published;
K1xGsPoRT Tenn, Feb. 6, 1898.
REV. AND VERY DEAR BRoTHRR: Your letter to
Tie Cincinnati journal brought To- determination my
views on Slavery Ny min was just in the state 10
conclude and act under the power of congenin senti
ments persuasively urged. Your letter eame-and
nv way was open before me. very Intelligent ana
upright legal genteman-a man VINO mas 'hougn'
much ON the subject Of Slavery, said To me after read
ing vour communication. More than that, under ex-
istirc circumstances ] think, il anatclsm Lessthan
that cannot be Christianity" felt IN my own case
perfectly satisfied that the last part OF his r.iafk wa
irue You ought then TO know what have done
md send You the measures of emancipation ADOPTED
bv NE last month, in relation to t~enty-"he slaves
These MEASURES have been thrown into the form oil
will, TO secure their fulhlment IN 'he f'en' Vi III!
death.
In the eve of the law am still the master OF slaves
But in the eve Of God believe am not. F0r no
LnPfr an conscience. md conduct h0id hnHdH Gangs
a HNd
thtm fer hnrted time, tctN teel assured Dc en-
plottd sBprcm,ly for ftdr good.
NV last VIII ana Testament, as TO these %rvans,
is to be fulfilled in conformity with--MeasureS OF
Emancipation determined upon in reference 10 my
slaves January 1885. The State of tennessee Tor
bids the manumissOn of slaves within IFS lms' Dui
| can effect a virtual emancipation IN this state oy
adopting the apprentice sy.tem. ms system is IN
nv view better for the servant than immediate manu-
NILSSON Its result. secure, also far a. may De pos
,ible TIE interests of the community INTO "nich me
liberated slave is 10 enter For during tnis ui i u
the servant he has his masters prOtec'ioh Hoi 'lo
si,ion and injury 10 both Of which ne HIght De eA
pcsed were he Immediately set free. lie mas the GER
iauty Of employment and support most inlpOi'@ul
certainty to the poor labOrer and more eSPoSi.e't -
The free black aborer. He is gradually qua1lneH ior
perfect legal emancipation He has the "ases VI !ne
free nan. He NAV Law up little capital win winch
Ia be gin life when he must take care oil hl'e' anu
while he is thu. shielded secured IA Ge'
ouirDg habits OF selfgOvernment, ana pau oi NJ t "a
Dor the community is preserved as lhuoI a S
rom the suo den introduction OF those unpepafed iot
freedom and protected from the entrance 81 'nr utterly
urdeserNing. In accom- lishmg theSe eNus, '..'-N
comply with the word OF God, to"aiu .he = 10 81 1
10 sdcieiy With this view Of tue SUBJECT nave He
,rruiued ON the apprentice system III e MING
finn: H. L.. 49,.
have twenty-one slaves. Ten OF uese s!AVes are
over and eleven ale under tweuty-vhr !eIsso - -.
From ihi. tim. until the let ii January Ito' "Aeh
will b, FIVE years hall plare those over '"eu'! one
Oh the trial Of their freedom IN aA ''
they viii be under NY authority. As NO.! -.
eIriloved by NM shaIl pay full wages and uea' as
ne d;mestic servants Those not retained IN NY r
vice Will be permitted To hire themselves 20 suitable
per,ous who will give them the remuneration aad me
usage due 10 the free After the Isl .i Ioio;
should they be unwilling 10 rem"I a.u III - :; -
The State Of I, nnessee or special act, VII sler IL
these servants will be legally mhhuiin't - 80
that thew. by their upright conduct HhdeI 'is uiai'
hal have shown themselves qualified for freedom. In
the eyertthev should be wiling TO MAKE 'heu nome
in another State permitting their residence, ~ IL lor
eisn country then such steps vii be take9 oy me a.
NAV lie necessary aud proper to help ''Lt y e-!'e
"a such other State OF ioIei-n county: ~ ou -I'IT'
,Ippn, fiou the State oSIennessee WI. nv le'' tue
en- euation If these servants, ana they hot "h -
90 AWAY il that case they may continue, a. ocIois,
under the apprentice system so Ion he n,.,
best for them and their children, une's the ccum-
stances OF my family aud estate or oher gGoa eau'es
81, Md render that course neNPedth'; NLu Psg the
necessity Of cir rcnoN al. The children, 'nYse which
nav be born during the five years as Ner a. those
Itch are now mentioned, will be under the care OF
their parents subject to my authority AZ the 'erml-
nation Of 1--WE years should the parents remove their
children not Of age ald Will eFHe oi age curing
that period y ali 60 with them and be embraced IN
the measures of emancipation taken Tor iee parents
unless the parents with my advice, sh0ud prefer the