Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-07-25

The position Of the UEIoS AND ANERJcAx on the
subject of slavery has always been SO unequivocal
and the opinions Of its editors SO well known that
we are compelled to attribute the doubt implied in
theabOve nterrOgaories to the change ia the
editorial management Of the paper. We are glad,
therefore, to have this opportunity of assuring our
readers that views all questions affecting the
institution Of slavery the same which the edi-
tors Of this paper have always entertained and advO
Gated Wsregard slavery moral social and politi
cal blessing to the people among whom il exists We
hold tito be right abstract question Of ethics and
right in practice In legal point of view, we be-
heVe the ownership of slaves is right as sacred
and inviOlable as the ownership of the soil, each
being established by the common law Of this cOun
try and secured by the Constitution.
These briefly, are the sentiments which we enter.
tain on this subject. There are many southern
men, loyal ourself to the interests and instiu
tons Of the South, who DO not fully coincide with
us in all these opinions It may be that Judge
GREEN is one of that number. We have not seen
the whole Of his letter to the American Tract So
ciey, referred to by our correspondence but if his
decisions upon the Supreme Bench, his lectures to
the Law Students Of Cumberland University, or his
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weeks snoe furnish any index to his opinions on the
subject Of slavery, must conclude that he does not
differ very materially from the views which we have
expressed above. If, however, he believes as cur
correspondents suppose, that slavery is "moral
political and social eVil"-if he even holds that
opinion modified by the assertion that there are
benefits growing out of tho institution which over
balance the evil, we do not endorse his views. But
Judge GREEN has explained his letter to the "Traet
Society" in such way as to show that be has suf
fered manifest injustice from the comments of some
Of the Southern Press In using the phrase "moral
evil" he does not intend to convey the idea that
there is any moral wrong in holding slaves. He
thinks that the existence Of slavery may produce
evils which affect society injuriOusy, but that these
evils are Overbalanoed BY compensatory benefits D
Inthe sensein which he employs the word 'moral, -
it is almost Synonymous with 'socal;" and this use
of the term is authorized by our best e1oogra
'The word" (mOrall, says WEBSTER ''may be applied
to actions which affect only, or primarily and prin-
oipally, persons own happiness" Taking that
Specification, which Judge GREENS explanation indi
Gates was the meaning he intended should be
attached to the word in connection with the rest Of
his letter, and forced to acquit Judge GREEN
of the charges which some Of our contemporaries
have urged against him. He believes that slavery
produces "mOral evils, that is evils which affect
the happiness Of individuals; social evils or evils
which operate injuriousy to society, and political
evils, under which he would include the sectional
feaud jealousy existing between thenorthern and
southern States; but he thinks that all these evils
are Over-baanced by the benefits which accrue from
the institution. A man might acknowledge that edu>
cation produced some bad effects, aud yet continue TO
be an earnest and consistent advocate of education
Now, Judge GREEN, in writing to Society of Chris
tians, who debatingthe prOprety Of expressing
opinion unfavorabe to slavery, argues with them
that such expression would be improper; for
although he acknowledged that some Of the evils of
which they complained did exist, there were benefits
springiug from the institution which more than
compensated for the disadvantages.
We have stated our own opinions fully and fairly.
We have also given Judge GREENS Interpretation of
his letter, which has been published entire.
Weregard some expressions in that letter unfortunate,
but as modified by the subsequent explanation of the
author, they do not convey the meaning which we
should otherwise have attached to them. That
explanation is consistent with the opinions which
he has constantly expressed throughout his long and
useful life; it is consistent with his natural sympa
thes and sentiments as O slave owner and as q
southern man, and we are forced by our knowledge
Of the high AID honorable character of the man and
his candid and upright nature, to receive it as a
correct exposition Of his views on this subject.