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

less lingering of the subject by the
prominent American pulpits and states
men for the last few years. If the
pulpit could innocently be silent on
this evil, it could with as much homes
ty and more consistency justify it. II
Legislatures could justly protect it,
why not extend it? There is bold
consistency in this modern position Of
Shareholders which awakens. a sort Of
painful admiration.
1t will be my aim to be as frank and
consistent in opposition to slavery as
it's advocates are in its defence.
DR.. Ross, a prominent representa-
tive of slaveholding christianity. says
in letter to the Rev. Albert Barnes,
that he agrees with Mr.. Barnes in the
affirmation that "the present is emf
nently time when the views of every
man on the subject of slavery should
be uttered in unambiguous tones"
There is a servile timidity upon this
subject in the pulpits of the nonslave-
holding States which is any thing but
creditable to preacher or hearer.
look upon the suppression of the truth
upon this subject as marked insult to
an audience. 1t implies that the peo-
pie are too stupid to understand or toe
dishonest to bear the truth. / am un-
willing thus to impeach the intelli.
gence or moral integrity of my hear.
ers.
wish on this occasion to arrest at
tention from all secondary and collat
eral issues, and to discuss the mair
point in the controversy-Is slavery q
sin?
The modern advocates Of slavery
have met this issue manfullv. The
distinguished Calhoun, who lived 9
generation in advance of his age, may
be looked upon as the founder of q
peculiar school upon this subject. A
considerable class Of politicians ant
preachers have followed the exampl,
and teachings of that remarkabl,
man.
Let the advocates Of liberty be al
consistent and bold as those of slavery
and we may look for some termination
Of the controversy.
do not purpose to take the time t.
discuss on this occasion the Bible ar
gument upon the subject. l gladl,
accept the issue, but / choose my owl
weapons. l wish to call slavery on
from its hiding places amidst tn
types and shadows of Jewish insti
tutions and the antiquities ofa seem
ing barbarous antiquity, and expose it
real character in the pure light o
nature. l propose to test it by
revelation older than Scriptures, tn
Divine authenticity of which wa
never questioned and never will be-
propose to apply to it the law @
God as inscribed upon the constitution
of man at his creation, and immutabl
stereotyped in every successive genera
ton, (Which show the work of tn
law written in their hearts" | shal
hope to show that slavery is in eterna
conflict with nature. If this can
done it will devolve on the Bibl
defenders of slavery to vindicate tina
venerated book from the charge {
collision with nature. Two or thre
axioms will prepare us for the argr
ment.
|. Gods will is law, and equal
authoritative however made known.
2. A natural truth cannot be inval
: dated by a supposed revelation. Natr
, raj truth is eternal truth. All coils
ions with it are self-destructive. /
1 therefore, slavery is condemned by ns
1 turc, then if YOU could prove that th
e Bible sanctions it you would not ju.
{ tify slavery, you would only condem
! the Bible.
t 3. The will of the Creator in refel
/. encc to the destiny Of his works is d,
e termined by their constitutional adaI
: tations. These are their natural law
{ Let us now apply this test of God
( will to the most glorious of his crei
tions on earth. Let us ace If in cre'
: ting man God made him for SLAYER
{ or liberty. This will settle the que
: ton in plain English, without eith'
Greek or Hebrew.
r BY slavery we understand the prop'
r ty principle. This is expressed wit
( peculiar force and thoroughness in Il
c enactments Of all the slave States.
!, is the right to hold and use, to br
: and sell, without restriction. Say tn
{ families shall not be separated. ar
1 you change slavery to serfdom; an
: bad as sertdom is. il is not slavery
Slavery can tolerate no such restri
4 tions of the right of property.
S In Studying the Divine will in ma