Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-11
MONDAY, JULY IL, 1859.
The slavery Agitation.


torial on the subject of the slavery agitation
which, for its spirit aud tone, is entitled tt
respectful consideration. 1t refers to th'
prevalent state of feeling and sentiment OF
the subject in the South, some fifteen or TWEEN
ty years ago, and holds that the discussion:
which have been held since then have pro
duced an almost entire revolution in the
Southern mind-that while slavery was then
generally conceded to be moral, social and
political evil, it is now held to be morally
socially and politically right-a blessing tc
both the master and the slave. As the re-
suit of this change, the Avalanche continues
1--WE asked for the fugitive slave law, and we
.'got it; demanded that the march of slavery
.should not be arrested by the arm OF the
General Government, and the demand was
"acceded to; claimed an equal share in the
sterritories of the Union, and it was accord
s'ed to us; sought the sanction OF the judici-
''ary of the nation, for our peculiar institu-
s.tion, and it was granted. All this and
"more we have accomplished by the discus
'sion, or, ifyou please, the agitation OF the
slavery question"
But ii we have accomplished so much in
30 brief period, for what, pray, do you now
contend? Are not the Fugitive Slave Law,
the neutrality of the Federal Executive, the
sanction of the Federal Judiciary, and a
share and share alike in the territories OF the
Union, sufficient to satisfy the reasonable
constitutional demands of the South? What
more do you claim? If the above enumcra-
ted points are achieved, is not the institu-
ton safe? If the constitutional and legal
guarantees are faithfully observed, and these
are adequate to the preservation Of our rights,
what further demand has justice, or safety,
or expediency to urge? Why may not the
South repose here? Why may she not stand
serene. but immovab!e, in the National Cap
itol. the constitution in one hand and the
laws in the other, proclaiming concord and
fraternity on the basis of EQUAL RIGHTS and
EQUAL LAWS? This ground is consecrated
and hallowed by the extraordinary course OF
events which led to the emancipation OF the
colonies and the construction OF the Union.
II is the very spirit and essence of our exist
ence as a republic OF concentric empires
WHY NAV we not rest here? Let the Ava-
lanche answer:
.But. saws our Nashville cOtemporary, 'the
fanatics of the North have lived, HOurlshed
and grown fat and arrogant. strong and die
tatoral' by agitation. We admit the fact.
but why has it been SO? 1t Is because OF the
moral weakness Of our cause there; because
those who, in that region, excuse slavery as
political institution, have not learned to deny
its immortality and to assert its justice; and
because The agitation there has been against
and not for the Institution. 1t may he long
bef re we are able to reverse this state OF
things; it may be, in fact, that we never can
do SO, though we have confidence that the
power of truth and justice will eventually
triumph over error and fuuatlclsInj but until
this is done. or the demagOgues OF the North
cease to agitate against slavery, the only hope
of the South consists in agitation for tin
keeping her people alive to the Importance of
the question. armed against the invidous at
tacks of abolition ianaticsm, and, il possible,
uniting them in sentiment, in feeling and In
action on this great and vital question.
The necessity for agitation is TO us as it
must be TO every patriot source OF pam ana
regret; but since. in our Judgment, that neces-
sity exists we shall not shrink from meeting
il boldly and fearlessly. even though in the
performance of our duty in this respect we
should a thousand times subject ourselves TO
the unjust suspicion so unkindly binted ut by
the PATRIOT, of being Indifferent to AN i'm
mediate prospect Of an inevitable dissolution
OF the Union.'"
Herein it is again conceded that by agita-
tion-precisely such agitation as is here pro
posed-'.the abolitionists have grown from a
small aud contemp ible faction to powerful
party.u And what kind Of agitation is II!
According to our reading it has been, in the
main, denunciation and vituperatiOn, most
bitter and unrelenting war OF words, OF ahu-
siye epithets and fierce and bitter elimination.
In and out OF Congress. on the hustings and
in the newspapers, this has been the case.
Does the Avalanche seriously hope to achieve
any substantial good by perpetuating such
q warfare as this? After stirring mp the BIT
terest aud worst passions of the human heart.
aud turing the minds of some, at least, OF the
Northern people into state OF fanaticai
lunacy. does the Avalanche propose or expect
to allay those passions, or To correct those
errors of mind, by carrying the fire and sword
of defiance and abuse into their midst! IL
the position of the Southern people is the
true one, it must make its advances on the
highway of reason; aud that is the way, u
ever, the Northern judgment. will be reached
and its errors and prejudices overcome and
vanquished A decent resp CT for ourselves.
no less than for the opinions of others, should
prompt US to this course. Happily the time
is favorable for display OF the truths upon
x,hieh we rest our cause There is really no.
thing now before the country, except what
misguided politicians may choose, for their
own sinister purposes, to present that should
interfere with such temperate discussion MS
those who hold adverse opinions, should see
proper TO engage. Happily there are other
questions which might justly claim the al
tsntion of statesmen and patriots, aud divide
or overthrow the supremacy Of the negro
onestionv which has so long. aud perhaps
fatally, enchanted the nation.
Unhappily, however there Is hungry
swarm of political paupers, who dernaad q
.,nport from the public, who will not let The
soa,h, the North. or the Union alone-reek-
less adventures. preach disanion sermons
from the slavery text in both sections, ana
who biggie at no price TO obtain their ends
so long as the public is the pay-master-
some. doubtless, who would bankrupt The
nation to secure for themselves a p'nini
quarters salary. OF course, I'VE hass 700
much confidence in the honesty and sincerity
ourpose OF our Memphis contemporary 20
rank Ia with these. Nevertheless we warn
him, hoa>ecr lightly or Intellectually the
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