Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-06-10

destiny. God implanted these native
desires, and created their corresponding
objects, designing the one for the other;
and to defeat this design is evidently
to violate the law Of God as inscribed
on the constitution of mau. Now. 1t
cannot be disputed that slavery lays
the iron hand of compulsion upon the
whole nature of man. and precludes
its appropriate development. While
the voice of Divinity within is con-
tinually prompting man to develop
his nature and accomplish his destiny,
{ Slavery stands over him with the rod
of power. suppressing every response
and paralyzing every effort. The
whole universe calls upon man to wor-
ship and obey his Creator: Slavery
lifts he hand and says, Obey your
master! God. from heaven. exclaims
to- man, Ye are mine! Slavery replies.
. He is mine! A voice from the deepest
soul is heard, still urging man to cul-
tivate that immortal nature which con-
stitutes his true glory. and for which
alone his physical nature exists. But
the jealous ear of slavery catches the
first whisper of humanity. condemns
the soul to perpetual silence. and dooms
it to utter disappointment.
Thus does slavery. not content with
changing the limbs and wearing the
flesh. lay its rude hand upon the finer
, texture of the soul, and endeavor to
efface forever the bright image of its
Creator. This feature alone of slave
ry is its eternal condemnation.
But to be more specific. / remark
l. The law Of free agency is utterly
violated by slavery. This law results
from the existence of the faculy of
will. For what did God endow man
with free will. unless he designed
him to act freely? Slavery reduces a
man from the state of an intelligent
and responsible agent to mere thing.
Thus is annihilated the noble attribute
of free agency, that which alone rem
ders man capable of moral subsection
to his God.
2. AS the effect of this faculty of
. will, there springs up in the human
breast an unconquerable desire of lib
erty. This law is written in blood and
, tears all over the worlds sad history.
4 1t has been the natural antagonist of
human selfshness in all ages. 1t has
D created more heroes than all other
causes. 1t has ever been the inspira-
tion of poetry, the soul of oratory, and
the mother of patriotism. All that
t was beautiful and immortal in the sa-
ges of the past sprung from this law
: of liberty. Few men will so dishonor
: the race to which they belong as to de-
$ ny the existence, dignity, and sanctity
i of this law. 1t expresses in no doubt.
full terms the will of the Creator.
e But here again slavery is in direct
S conflict with the God of nature. In
violation of the teachings of universal
II history, in disregard of the unanimous
rebukes of patriotism in all ages, and
y in contempt of the august presence oI
: nature herself, slavery tramples upon
e this law. Nay, it leaves no means un
II tried to efiace from the constitution o.
II its victim the last vestige of this no
e bic feature of the Divine image! /;
e such sacrilege no sin? When yor
It have succeeded by violence in extin.
'f gushing this love of liberty and ma
'e king man contented slaye, will yo,
l. claim it as triumph of virtue?
3. The desire of knowledge, or tn,
Y tendency of the intellectual powers t.
develope themselves, is manifest Law
j. of the human constitution. Can tha
l. system which makes the acquisition o
s- knowledge crime be in harmony will
{, the Divine will? This feature alon,
l. demonstrates the rebellious characte
le Of slavery. All nature is the inspirel
s. of the intellect-slavery alone is it
n extinguisher.
4. Slavery violates the law Of tn
r domestic affections. There are tn
E. conjugal, the parental. and the fila
D. affections, which are imbedded deep il
s. the constitution Of man, and iron
s which originate the most sacred obi
n cations of social life. They are anon,
a. the richest Of Heavens blessings to
y selfish and distracted world. From
S. them flow the most tender emotion
er and sacred joys that bless the condition
and relieve the woes of man. The,
er are the last earthly resources of human
IN sorrow. Driven from his sanctuary o
,e rest, the distracted spirit has no relic
II but in death. One would think tha
" selfishness and violence, when il ap
at preached this department of huma
ID nature would forbear its ravagcs
d Having robbed its victim of wealth. 9
4 r