Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-08-03

/ or abolition.
NO. |.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF MEIGs COUNTY:
In accordance with the promise we havo
made we will endeavor to faithfully lay
before you the opinions or sentiments OF
the great founders of the American Gov
ernmcnt, upon the all-absorbing question
of negro slavery. This we do only tina.
you may really understand, for yourselves,
what they were; and that you may be eua-
bled to detect the many false statements OF
unscrupulous political demagogues, and
others who may be interested in mis- rep
resentng the views of our Republican fa-
itics.
The only true basis of our free institu-
TONS is the intelligence and honesty of the
masses of the people; and hence the obvl-
Gus necessity of popular dissemination
of information upon all questions of a po-
litical character. More particularly is this
the fact, when the issues raised involve the
fundamental principles of our Government
are of vital importance to It's existence
as is the case at the present time. In
such circumstances, the councils and Wis
dom of those who imperiled "their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred honors,
in establishing freedom and free insCi-
tutions, is of importance to us all; espe-
cially as they were men of undoubtcd IN
tegrity, extensive learning, profound
thought, and the deepest respect for the
"riohts of mankind" Without any far
ther predatory remarks, we shall begin our
exposition of "sentments or opinions" by
the introduction of those of GEORGE
WASHINGTON, Commander-in-C Chief III the
American Revolution, President of the
Convention which framed our National
Constitution, and first President OF the
United States.
:, In n letter written to John T. Mercer, on
the abolition of slavery, and dated sept
9, 1886, Washington says: 81 never
mean, unless some particular circumstance
compel ME to it. to possess another slave
by purchase, it beng among my hrs'
, wishes to see some plan adopted, by which
slavery in this country may be abolished by
laO."
Again, we quote from letter to Robert
Morris. dated Mount Vernon, April l2,
1886, as follows: 81 hope it will not be
conceived from these observations, that i
is my wish to hold the unhappy people
P who are the subject of this letter, II
!. slavery Ican only say, that there is no
u man living who wishes more seriously
, than do, to see plan adopted for the alb
g clifton of it. But there is only one prope
and effectual mode in which il can be ac
mplished, anA that is by Legislative au
J lhority; and this, so far as my s4frag'
. shoH 90, shall neUer be aOontimg."
g In a letter to Lafayette, under date o
~ i, April 5, 1888, we find the following: 9Th
!" scheme, my dear Marquis, which you pro
pose as a precedent, to encourage tn
" emancipation of the black people OF thl
country from the state of bondagein wh'cI
s thew are held, is a striking evidence of th
ut benevolence of your heart. l shall b
ct happy to join you in so la~da6'e a a0or@
es but will defer going into detail of til
lie business till have the pleasure Of seein
to you." Again, in writing further to tn
rs same distinguished person, lie says: "Ih
IS benevolence of your heart, my dear Mai
quis, is so conspicuous on all occasions
I'D that never wonder at fresh proofs OF
nd but your late purchase Of an estate III tn
OF colony OF Cayenne, with view of emar
an cipating the slaves upon it, is generor
NJ and noble proof of your humanity
IL Would to God a like spirit might d;tuSe
ID self generally into the minds of tile PcoPl
'n' of tAis country! But despair of seein
'fe it. Some petitions were presented to Il
ny Assembly, at its last session, for the ab
''y ltion of slavery; but they could scarce
obtain reading. TO let the slaves atlo
- at once, would, | really believe, be pr
Of ductive of inconvenience anil mischief; b
ere by degrees it certainly might, and assu
The edly ought to be elected; and that, too,
aid legislative authority"
ian Once more we quote from letter wr
on ten by Washington to Gov. Chas. Pine
rs ney, of S. c., March II, 1899, as follow
nd IL must say, that L lament the decision
'ry your Legislature upon the question of IL
ave porting slaves after March, 1898. l W
in hopes that motives Of policy, as w
une as other good reasons, supported by t
the d,refM effects of slavery, which at this m
Inc ment are presented, would have operat
'uiu to produce total prohibition of the IL
lere portation of slaves, whenever the questi
came to be agitated in any State that mig