Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-05-26
The Slave Trade.

We have heretofore expressed our notion
of the political excitement, proposed by the
abolition opposition, respecting alleged de-
sire to revive the slave trade. We have es-
teemed it as ridiculous and absurd, and as
having no sort of basis upon which to found
it. We have recently sufficient evidence Of
this, i'll the action Of the Southern Colnmcr-
ciai Convention ON this question In that
body. where the south was exclusively rep
resented, and where the action was uuiuhu-
enced by the counscls Of anti-slayery men,
We find resolutions tavoring such revival
laid upon the table. But We DO not propose
to refer at length to matter which We regard
as lightly as this. Our design is different
So much has been absurdly said in the Re
publican presses about the responsibility Of
the administration for certain article re-
spcctiDg slavery in the different States, which
appeared in the Washington Union, that we
have no doQ0t it will comfort these pertur-
bed spirits to perusc some extracts from the
same paper touching this subject. We quote
The revival of the slave trade is meas
ure which could only result from cold, cal
lvus, ayariciou5 calculation of gain and thirst
for profit aud we contend that this is not
the spirit which actuates the Southern peo-
pie. Even in the period when the African
slave trade was in full progress, the Southern
people demonstrated against its prosecution,
The southcrn sentiment has never
since undergone a change on the subject
NJ Southern State has dclnauded or sugges-
tee, the renewal Of the trade, and even South
Carolina, TIC most ultra State of the South
on all questions coin ctcd with slavery, has
recently by her Legislature, refused to coun-
tenance the project by most deciled vote
by vote taken, too. at a juncture of pub
lie affairs which strongly prov, ked to steps Of
that character, Nor 10 We believe that a
single Southern State can be induced 10 es-
pouse the measure. We believe
that if there were any node of taking the
sentiment of the country. the South would
be found to be even more aytrse to the meas
uro than the Ner.h"
We scarcely know whether to be surpri-
sed or not 10 find the New York Tribune and
Philadelphia PrcSS--pur ,.obtte tratruDa-
disposed to ascribc to the suggested revival of
this trade, the recent assaults upon our com
merce! The former proclaims:
1--WE do not believe that the British are ac-
ting in this way from any other motive than
a sincere desire to suppress the slave trade,
which in spite Of the treaty between Spain
aud Great Britain, has been increasing in
extent and daring for some years past"
This is making rather too great draft up
on the creduiity of any one not Insane enough
to regard this paper to be honest and honor
able. To suppose that Great Britain can re-
gard such inexcusable and unproyoked mis-
conduct that complained of, to be honestly
calculated to effect any good purpose, is worse
than absurd. 1t would be wanton and indie
feasible to assal, in the manner alleged, even
a vessel with every badge of SLAYER about
her, much less those repelling in every way,
any possibility of such suspicion That this
might be the pretext relied upon is more pos
sibie. but We much question whether England
VIII be disposed even 70 accept the ingenious
suggestion made by its amiabIe friend =
PihsLrg Union.