The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-09-21
THE SLAVERY DEBATE.

THE SLAVERY DEBATE.
On the Sd day the discussion between Brown
low and Pyrne in Philadelphia, opened with
an eneute between the debaters. Mr. Brownlow
had sometimes exceeded his time and the audience
had been violent in calling him order. Mr.
Brownlow said he was aware that there was maj
ority of abolitionists present. but he asked fav
ors, quarters sympathy from them. But If
they were tired and wished to back out, let us
know, and we will disperse like gentlemen. lie
demanded as right to finish his argument.
Mr. Pyrne replied, much excited, and said that
what was yielded through courtesy, was now de-
mandcd as right. His opponent doubtless in
tended intimidation, when he said there were some
Soutlerners present, but he was not afraid Of the
cracking Of their whips.
Mr. Brownlow then commenced his argument
with a reply to an editorial of the New York
Times, which, taking text the statement OF
some prisoners confined In the Louisville jails,
makes sweeping charges against Southern society,
and falsely abuses it. It takes the convicts as
representatives of Southern people. The northern
abolitionists having sought this ISSUE he was de-
termined to sicken them with long details, proving
the falsity of the Times statements, and showing
the comparative degradation Of northern society,
and the superiority of Southern in civilization.
The larger number confined in southern prisons
are foreigners, the next largest from northern
States, Of which New York is the best representa-
tive. lie also showed that the largest number OF
failures occurred at the North during the recent
crisis that there more mulattOes at the North
consequently there was prostitution among
the blacks; there students in the colleges
from the South; that Southern representatives in
Congress are better educated, and that there is
more bribery among Northern legislators. He
here nstanccd the officials of Wisconsin in the La
Crosse railroad affair Referring to the Abolition,
Free-Lovc and Woman's Rights Conventions, Mr.
Brownlow said he intended starting the mission
airy cause to work in the North commencing on
Boston Common. Concluding, he asked If Mr.
Pyrne would be willing to marry his daughterto the
son of a buck nigger-Fred Douglas, for instance.
Mr. Pryne, in opening, said it was impossible to
reply to the vulgar and brutal language of his COM
petitor. Not only himself but his family had been
insulted by him. He would stoop to answer that
his daughter would never marry Southron. He
had indeed stopped low when he had engaged in
this debate, but as he (Brownlow) seemed incom-
petent to present the strongest argument of the
South he (Pryne) would bring them up himself,
as he wished to go over the whole ground.
He then treated at length the bred Scott deci-
sion, and entered into long political harangue,
referring to the threats of the Southerners to
secedc from the Union. He said he did not care
if the slavery agitation did drive them out. He
was here saluted with a storm of Kisses, and for
some time unable to proceed Resuming, he
denied that Washington, Jefferson, and our other
forefathers, advocated slavery, reading lengthy
tracts from their writings to substantiate his de-
NAL He next referred to the proceedings of the
Virginia Abolition Society and its petitions to
Congress for the Abolition of slavery.
He argued that negro slaves could not only sup
port themselves, but were obliged and able to sup
port their helpless masters He then referred to
the happy condition of the fugitive slaves in Cana
da, and in reply to Mr. Brownlow's argument of the
antiquity of slavery, he asked, "Does age add to its
virtue, wipe out its deep and dangerous stain !?
Does its antiquity render it right? To make him
(Pryne) believe for instant that Jesus sanction
ed slavery, is to make him cease to be Christian
and change the place OF God and devil"