Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-06-18
The Charlnstnn Msrnnrr

The Mercury is opposed to the opening o
the slave trade, and az it has been widely
quoted by the Republican press, wO will
give its reasons The Mercury says
1--WE object to making the re'opening ofthe
slave, trade an issue in the politics Of the
country, and for several reasons
"lst, Because IL hereafter, and under 9th.
or circumstances, it might be wise and safe
TO revive the trade, it is not now, in the pres
ent relationship Of the South and North.
"2d Because it is now impracticable and
idle. The idea is based upon entire Ignorance
and visionary misconception Of the relative
positions Of the North and south. No man
who comprehends the antagonism of senti
ment aRd political interest existing between
the sections-uo man who appreciates the
division Of opinion existing at the South
can entertain the expectation of accomplish,
ing the re.opening Of this trade so long as
this Union lasts.
"3d. Because il Is mischieyous issue. -
II Is a subject on which there may well be a
difference Of opinion without blame. Il is
no test Of soundness to southern institutions.
Ii lowers the moral position of the southern
people from one Of high principles Of liberty
in defense of valued rights to mere guess
tiOn OF policy about which VIC are profound
ly divided. The great question of sectionr
al President, elected by party sworn to
crush the South into provincial inleriority
and social ruin, affords an issue upon which
all earnest ireemen of the South can rally"
This is rather better talk than we have
recently seen from the Mercury, as given in
the Republican papers. 1t don't sound like
disunion it don't smell offre. If the Mer,
curry has heretofore favored a re opening Of
the slave trade, 1t is decidedly opposed to il
now. As the Mercury is acknowledged to
be leading paper in the South is, indeed
one Of the moulders and directors of public
sentiment there, and has been claimed to be
the central organ of the t" FIRE eaters > it
would seem that public sentiment in the ex~
treme South was improving, and that the de,
mand for the re-opening of the slave trade
was to be withdrawn. Having seen the
folly and danger of agitating this and other
m'Schievous questions, We may expect our
southern neighbors to stand hereafter upon
truly national platform. That this pos
ture of affairs is favorable to the Democracy
IN the South, no one will doubt
But we would have our southern friends
go little further in the cook work. If, as
the Mercury says, I" this is no fit time for
men to be quarrelling about the foreign slave
trade" can it be ft time for them to wran
gle about any subordinate questions, when a
struggle is impending with the sectional alb.
clifton factions throughout the north and
west, who will, if they obtain power, refuse
70 recognize the south as an equal, and DENY
to her her just rights under the Constitution,
II the proposition to reopen the slave trade
be misehicyous, unsafe, and dangerous, the
agitation Of minor questions of policy is IA
tai to them. If the south would desire to
secure fair share of political rights, she
must leave quibbling alone, and unite with
the national Democracy in the overthrow of
Black Republicanism in 1860. We are glad
to note that the skies are becoming bright.
The signs Of the times are auspicious.