Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-06-10
VOL. l.-NO. "A.

by the model Republic. How any son
how any husband-how any father
or brother, can justify or tolerate sla-
very. it is difficult to conceive.
1t Is not only to my mind nnsnswer-
ably clear that slavery is sin. always
and every where. but that this should
be questioned is the most astonishing
and incredible phenomenon of the age.
| can account for it only from the
binding influence of the tolerated
crime Of ages. God in judgment has
sent strong delnsion. that they should
believe lie; that they all might DO
damned who believe not the truth, but
had pleasure in unrighteousness."
This seems like the terrible doom Of
our country. While the national
mind is enlightened. the national heart
seems to grow corrupt: for priest and
people, statesman and private citizen.
have held the truth in unrighteousness.
AS nation. we have acknowledged
the right and done the wrong. Hav-
ing practically repudiated liberty. We
are being subjected to despotlsm.
Is it not manifest that slavery is an
aggravated violation Of the viii of
God as indicated in the creation Of
man. the noblest of his work? In
other words. as not slavery sinf
In order to invalidate the above ar
gument in reference to the negro. you
must prove that he is not free agent.
that he has no constitutional desire of
liberty or knowledge. that the negro
husband does not love his wife. nor the
mother her child: that they sponta-
neously seek a condition Of .'lavery as
their legitimate destiny. and that sla-
very is naturally promotive Of the well
being of the parties concerned.
suppose no intelligent person will
indorse that series of propositions. i
conclude then that the argument is
conclusive against American slavery.
believe it can be answered only by
elfacing from the human constitution
the natural law of its Eternal Creator.
!. | infer from this subject that
slavery can never be right.
1t is proved to be wrong bv the
eternal and immutable nature of things.
Hence it must be eternally and immu-
tably wrong. No combination or pc
culiarity of circumstances can alter the
nature of things. Hence no circum-
stances can make slavery any thing
but violation of natural law. 1t is
therefore intrinsically unchangeably
wrong.
We infer that enactments which
sustain slavery can impose no obliga-
ton of obedience. Human enactments
are mere expressions of human will.
These expressions of human will can
not change the eternal nature Of things.
They can not make that right which.
by the natural constitution of things.
is wholly wrong. An act of rebellion
can not repeal Gods eternal laws.
Human enactments. then. can never
make it right to commit crime.
Do YOU ask what one should do in
the case of collision of Duty and
law? say be free. Obey the higher
law. Never be brought into the servi-
tude of the finite will. Let your life
60. but not your integrity and your
manhood.
3. / infer that all compromises
with slavery are sinful and delusiye.
Slavery possesses an eternal and unal-
terable moral character 1t is a crime.
Ii always was and always will be a
crime, and we must make no compro-
mise with crime Crime is not the le-
gitimate subject Of compromise. You
may compromise interests. but not
crime.
Compromise implies mutual con-
ccssions. But what may concede to
crime but destruction? Men speak OF
the rights of slavery" 1t has no
rights-it is made up of wrongs unre-
lieved by any ray OF justice. may
give up my property for the sake OF
peace. and thus compromise a difficult
, ty. IL may be wise to do so. But
may not rob my neighbor TO get the
means Of purchasing peace and quiet.
| may never sacrifice another's rights
for my own interest. II constitutes
the essence of all crime.
Besides. compromises with crime
are always delusive. They never
bring peace. What are called tho
compromises of the American Consti-
tution are fast working our ruin. Ev-
cry subsequent compromise has been
an advance in the downward tendency
of our Government. The compromi-
:, ses Of 1880 were beyond any thing
|, ever dreamed OF by the fathers Of tina
Republic. The fugitive slave law was
the shame Of the age. much more OF