The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-05-19
BY. THOMAS FOWLER.

I'D BY THOMAS FOWLER.
We have been looking on with some inter
est during the publication of a series of let
tiers, signed by somebody calling himse'
" On the Fence get" with hope of getting
some new idea, but these letters have closed
and in vain have we looked
At the solicitation of friends of truth, we
have concluded to review the subject, matter,
and proposition, discussed, that give rise to
said letter.
In February last, Mr. James Taunton and
myself were engaged in discussion, the ba.
sis of which was, "Can Slavery, as it exists
in the United States, be sustained on moral
and religious grounds?" Mr.. Taunton took
the affirmative on the negative side of the
question, in lecture he delivered for that
purpose; and his views, and arguments, in
that lecture differing so widely from many Of
his hearers, they wished reply made to it.
was called upon for that purpose, my views
being known to be antagonistical to those OF
Mr.. Taunton to which call responded, and
the discussion ensued.
Our answers to, and expositions of the err
rors promulgated by Mr.. Taunton, we believe
from all we could see, hear and know, gave
general satisfaction to the friends of truth,
and sore discomft to Mr.. Taunton, and his
adherents; which discontinue, we suppose,
10 tho oo,,co &c tlaro &c C a., A., L.
yet" having been written and presented to
the public. And, we've it not for the one sided
manner in which they represented the dis
cussion, and the false ideas therein conveyed,
we would not have been called on by our
friends to pay any further attention to the
subject. Such being the facts, place in the
columns ofyour paper is respectfully solicited
for such review; which you will no doubt
readily grant, as there has been an urgent
call for it in the columns of nearly every
number of your paper for six weeks.
Individually, | have strong disinclina-
ton and serious objections to giving such
review though, not because 10 not wish to
see truth upheld, and error crushed, but that
do not now nor ever have, either sought or
liked newspaper notoriety but have strong
diversions to it. And further, that there is
something about the letters of On the Fence
yet" that does not command that respect
that articles which find their way into pub
lie journal on questions of Importance should
They often become very personal-and by a
hidden hand too, one that refuses to give his
name to the public,-all indicative of pecu-
liar characteristics not necessary for me to
treat of here,-which all thinking men must
admit, is wrong. For no one has right
hiding his name, keeping behind the curtain.
to call in question any mans views-naming
him-taking the privilege of saying just what
suits his caprice, belt true or false, and should
it be shown to be false just step behind his
anonymous name, "chuckle in his sleeves"
the public don't know that tits T. Some will
believe it anyway. Such right, Honor has
granted to no man. But for causes before
stated we waive our individual objections,
and without further preliminary remarks
proceed to the investigation of the question
at issue: Can Slavery as it exists in the
United States, be sustained on Moral and
Religious grounds?"
AS truth is our object in the investigation
of this subject, and investigation the proper
mode OF arriving at truth, we should first
consider the ideas couched in the language
OF the proposition. Slavery either exists in
accordance with divine law and will, or it
does not If God has ever by divine law,
either established or sanctioned slavery, it
is either in accordance with his will, or he has
acted contrary to his will; conclusion we
cannot arrive at without charging God of
changing and classifying, for He says 81 am
God, and change not" And again: 81 am
God aud cannot le." Therefore, il slavery
ever was established by the law and will of
God, similar slavery in any time to come,
would be in accordance with the same will of
God. For he has said he changes not.
Slavery may be a political evil in certain
locality, and yet not moral and religious
evil, for all things are not politically proper
and right alike in all places and at all times.
But the moral principles and divine religion
established by Deity himself, are eternal and
Interchangeable. The question of the good or
bad policy of slavery in the United States,
is not involved in the proposition under in
vestigation; but simply its moral and religious
bearings
In viewing this question we are first led
to enquire: OF what does slavery as it exists
in the United States consist? And, investi-
eating the laws regulating it, in connection
with its surrounding circumstances, we find
it to consist in a certain relationship that
one class of men bears to another class of
the same order For instance, the Negro or
African race, in some Of the States, are by
the laws of those States made subordinateand
subservient to the white or Ango-Saxon race
The law making one the slave of the other,
giving the master the legal right to the labor
and obedience Of the slave, making that labor
and obedience of the slave, the property of
the master, with restricted power to force