Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1858-12-30
rm,pcipat,on in IssI-Mr. summers.

tmthctpauon in iooi-nhfs cummtfs-
There is evident purpose on the part Of the
Dnocratic journals and politicians OF the State, to
create the impression among the people that Eman-
cipstouism in 1881 altogether offensive aud
oaious thing as EnaneipAtiOnism in 1917 and 1850
Nothing could be more silly and unjust than such an |
attempt And il is almost incredible tuat any mind |
not under the do@nioa Of mere blind prejudice ard
passion, should assume the ground indicated.
IL is sascly knows 10 every intelligent person in
the Union that before the year 1884, and for several
years thereafter the subject OF slavery. in none of
its aspects or bearings, had been fully Investigated
The same notions of it then almost numerically pre-
vailed, which had obtained among the statesmen OF
the Revolution In n word, slavery was then con-
sidered as moral, social, and political evil through
out the country, South as we'll as North. The men
Of that day had, without inquiry Sithout thoug ht,
WITHOUT examin ton adopted the opinion, In regard
to slavery, held by Washington Jefferson, and near
w all the other fathers of the Republic. The ques-
ton ITSELF down to 1881, had undergone no discus
sion, and had had new light thrown upon it,
And the reason is obvious-Northern agitation had
not then commenced. All was peace and quiet on
this subject and there had, consequently, arisen no
occasion for examination Of the matter in all its
bsarngs. No systematic assault had then been
made by the North upon Southern institutions
There we're no fanatics, incendiaries 4boltion
societies in those days The people of the North
and the people of the South coacurred in their opn
ions of slavery-they both regarded it g. On evil
aud the wisest and most patriotic of tue South
then looked forward to the day when it would be
abolished IN all the Southern States, and they all
considered that day not very remote. The only
question with them was-How to properly aud safe
ly get rid of itp They all agreed that it would
tually have to be gotten rid Of and the whole ques
tion reduced to question OF time and means
Such the feeling, the sentiment ths idea, the
conviction which prevailed among the people OF Yir-
several years afterwards
In 1888 the first regular Abolition Society. that
ever existed in the II nited States, was organzel.-
During that year hundreds Of these Societies were
organized in all the Northern States. These Socie
ties multiplied with alarming rapidity for several
succeeding years For four years after 1888 that
Is. in ls87-thero not less according speech
of Mr. Calhoun delivered on this subject in Decen-
Der 1887 than fifteen hundred OF these Abolition
Societies existing In the Northern States of the Uni
on, With average membership Of one hundred
each making in all 10000 enrolled members; with |
thousands upon top Of thousands of jealous and |
active outside sympathisers In 1887, then, as MIR.
Calhoun said, we had 5o,o00 persons regularly or
gained in these Societies. With copious revenue,
and extensive and powerful press, who were |
t~asing regular and Ry stemAdc tie inHttn- |
1iofs OF tue coateru and Western StAids-iustitu-
lions that at that time involved not less than $780,
100000 Of property and the prosperity and safety
of an entire section Of the Union. These numerous
and thoroughly organized Abolition Societies gave
the alarm to the Southern people-for their object
to issue and circulate thousands of publications
apdl hnlI IN ~
character and the Institutions Of the Southern
States publications and lectures utterly ineendiary
in their nature, and calculated 10 exrise servic in
surreeons the South, and thus disturb The peace
and endAnger the lives OF our citizens.
IL was these alarming oecIrrences and events IN
the North that first set the Southern people to think
ng--thAt forced them to full and thor0gsh exzmi-
ion Of the Institution Of slavery 10 al its aspects
bearings and relations. Before 1888, the question:
especially in ITS moral aspect, had scarcely been
cOnsidered at all. The Re evolutionary opinion had
been adopted without thought OF investigation and
then almost universally prevalent, that slavery
was an eEil-a moral, social and political evil Bot,
il then became necessary for the jutb defend it,
self against the assaults Of the thousands Of organ
iEsd Abolition Societies at the North and upon our
statesmen aud philosophers devolved the duty Of
studying the question: and presenting it in its true
and just light before the nation and the world The
task was taken hold OF with zeal-the question of
slavery was revolved, and meditated, and exam
ined--the best ihteects Of the South Tell to work
rpon it-and the result was an able philosophc and
conclusive sitting Of the matter through and through
The consequent result Of this wss, that mems opin
ions underwent n complete and radical change
They no longer believed slavery to be a moral Sc
cal and political evil On the contrary, the unver-
sal opinion of Southern men long before 1s47 with
here and there an exception, was that slavery was
sInctiohed and sustained by The Scriptures and was
a social, political and national blessing. Such was
the opinion, we repea' which nearly the whole
South entertained in regard to slavery, long before
the year 1s4T. Mr. Cshoun's celebrated resolutions
were introduced in the Senate Of the Onited States
on the 9th Of December, 1s87-ten years Bstore
Mr.. Iseleher's endorsement of the Ruffner address
and they were debated in that body by the master
inellscts of the nation, and the debate was soon
thereafter transferred to the hastings and the press
and has been carried on from that day to this with
scarcely vnosasuts t.s,., w.
great question Of slsvery scattered, broadcast
all over tho land,-in every State county, and
n0ghborhood-in every nook and corner Of the
Southern States; and, waS wffhout H0hL
not even Mr.. John Letcber.
FROM this review, the reader will readily perceive
che difference between Emancipationism m 1881 and
Emhncipauonism in 1877. Tho men Of 1881 were
cropping 10 the dark; and they we're excusable for the
views they then held and promulged in regard TO
slavery. Their views at that tune. were merely
The views Of Washington thirty years before, and
OF Jslsrson some six or eight years before. The
question Of slavery had not At that period been
cosely and philosophcaly investigated and discuss
ed and they we're really without light on the sub
ieet, and no man can fairly blame them for their
then opinions. Bat, from the year 50 down 10
The present time the subject ha' been examined and
discussed IN Ill is aspects. After 1870 or there
sbouis, no man can be jusuGei Cor holding the opin
ion that slavery is evil and no such man should
be hastily forgiven.
There vas here IN Virgins peculiar excuse 70,
nancipauonism in 1881. Il was the Southampton
insureciion and massacre in August Of that year,
Vnich carried alarm and CONSERVATION to every Ere
81 10, and prodoood universal panic among the
peppls Of Virginia. Taken In connection with the
iaoi thstslasey was then considered by al Is a mo
~ ~ ft.f -.