Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-08
From the Charleston Co'DteT
The Revival Of the Slave Trade.

We have hitherto foreborne to incumber
our columns, editorially, with elaborate dis
cussions on this question, because we have
never regarded it as having attained sufficient
magnitude or dignity TO warrant such a
course. This opinion is still unchanged, and
we mean not to depart from our course farther
than to make the position of the Courier fully
understood, especially as, IN Difference to the
freedom of discussion, we have admitted sew
eral articles on the subject, in conflict with
our own views. Tue course of one of our
associates in the legislature and otherwise, in
opposition to the revival of the slave traffic
has been sufficiently marked and decided 10
place his position in the premises beyond all
question, and his position is that of the pro-
prietors of the Courier.
In order to leave no further room for dis
satisfaction or doubt. (some indications of
which have reached u.s. us to our course or
views, we propose now TO put on record the
grounds of our uncompromsing opposition
to the revival OF traffic, which the undivided
sentiment of the civilized world, (our own
country. and especially the Southern section
taking the lead,) has long since stamped and
stigmatlZed with utter rprobation and alb
horrsnce.
Were the revival of the slave trade practic-
able, (Which we hold it not to be under our
existing Constitution and legislation, and
in the present state of pubic sentiment
throughout the Union, and especially at the
North, likely to be perpetual,) we set our
faces against it for the following reasons:
/. Tue slave trade isinhuman and brutaliz-
ing, and we would not stain our national flag,
or our Southern escutcheon by re-opening IL.
The recent arrival of a captured SLAYER in our
port is full of evidence and speaks volumes TO
this point. Cupidity and avarice stow away
aud pack their human victims. by hundreds,
spoon fashion, in u single vessel. without le-
gard to dccency, morality, cleanliness, healI h
or life, and numbers, in the midst of stencil
and filth. frequently, ii not necessarily, perish
from disease. The poor Africans are not as
well cared for are dogs, horses or other
brute freight; acertain per centage of mortal
lty among them is counted on as matter of
mercantile calculations; aud, in case of storm,
or danger of shipwreck. OF shortuess OF pro-
visions or water, they are mercilessly thrown
overheard, and with less scruple than mere
goods ard chattels would, in like case, be
committed to the deep. 1t is vain TO say that
We're the traffic licensed and regulated, these
evils and atrocities would cease To character
| iZe it; they are inherent in its very nature,
and for proof of this melancholy and revolt
ing truth, We cite the historical and conclu-
sive fact that all 1.-the horrors of the middle
passage occurred in their worst form, when
| the slave trade was licensed 10y every civiiz-
Cd nation. The recent disclosures of olI-
pressions and atrocities, practised in emigrant
ships. illustrate the subject; and we have late
| ly published the testimony OF Gen. Gads-
den that be has been an eyewitness of scenes,
ON board of the Mississippi slavers, in the
| conduct OF the Interstate slave trade (Con-
| gressional interference with which, however
| objectionable the practice, in many of its
features, should be the knell of the Union }
| scarcely inferior 10 the horrors OF the middle
| passage. We have accidentally met with AN
illustrative passage, on the su ject in the an
nual message OF Gov. David X. Williams To
the Legislature of this State, in November,
1916, which may be appropriately cited here
''ltis not possible that your Deliberations
on these subjects can be concluded before
that remorseiess and merciless traffic, which
brings among us slaves Of all descriptions
| from other States. aud which is reproach 10
our morals aud an outrage to our feelings
shall press on you for correction. Ii is tim,
the course of ceaseiess eupidity, alike regard
less Of country and consequence, should be
arrested; high time that our streets and high
/ ways should be freed from the crowds of sui
fering victims, that are constantly dragg,d
through them 20 minister 10 Unsuitable avarice
The lights Of humanity wise policy
the prayers OF the just. all require that IA,
| delightful ayocations OF domestic life shoult
be no longer dehlvd by the presence OF con
victs and malefactors.'
The fact is that the slave traffic. is In itself
bratalizIng and debaslng. As u general rule
the master and crew of a SLAYER. as Is shGwI
by those now ia our port, are lit to becom.
entrthroats or pirates We have no siekl,
sensihilitiss on the subject Of slavery. W,
hold slavery, as an existing institution in oul
land to be defenslble, economically morally an,
scripturaiiy, and 10 be maintained with GA