Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-10-28

s6B> A word ftly spoken and duly needed some
times prevents great deal Of mischief What has
recently occurred at Harper's Ferry, fnny happen
into any part Of the South and whether actusted
by fanatic zeal, or q naturally hendish temper, can
arouse the brute passions Of slaves, and however
certain ultimate defeat must be- much Blood may
be shed ere their mad career is checked. In view
Of such possible contingency, we have often mar
yelled at the criminal Indifference Of our people to
the exercise of that mild bat firm discipline which
can alone insure the due subordination Of our slave
population. In towns this indifference is more
marked than in the country; yet the spirit of in
subordination that results from the almost entire
want of management here diffuses itself by an
impereeptible, though rapid, progress all through
the contiguous neighborhoods. At night, the mas
ter rarely knows or thinks CT the whereabouts Of
his slave and in the day time but little more vigi
lance is displayed. Not content with this, some
negroes are allowed TO hire their time, and others,
not thus privileged, idle 1t away with impunity,
and too often make their leisure subservent to
schemes of mischief They mingle freely with free
negroes and imbbe their notions of the equality OF
the races and by intercourse with certain class Of
whites, learn to be discontented and dsobedient.-
They permitted too to get up parties and balls
at which crowds are congregatsdl with ample OPP
portunty to interchange opinions, devise plans and
disseminate the same far and near.
Taught by stump speakers that there is large
party in the North struggling to emancpate them
enlightened by these same demngogues upon the
subject of the equal rights claimed for them, by
northern sympathisers, and allowed ample oppor
tunity to discuss these points among themselves
abolition emisaries find their work half accomplish
ed ere they enter the field of labor. Their argu
ments are anticipated by our own politicians tn,
leure for conference and concert Of action is afford
ed by own people, and all that remains for tn
emiary to do, is TO embolden aud arm them for tn
struggle. We are no advocate of severity in tn
treatment Of slaves, nor would we deny them tn
freedom Of social intercourse essential to health
enjoyment but it ought to be restricted as to tim
and place, and the restrictions imposed should b
rigidly enforced Before slavery became the leadin
topic of federal politics. and before fanaticisr
seized upon it as the prominent object of mawkis
philanthropy, the slave did enjoy privileges whic
can not now be allowed him with due regard I
the interests and safety of his master, and it bt
hooves every good citizen to look to the manage
ment of negroes, not as his own humane feeling
may dictate, but with eye tn the necessity force
upon him by intermeddling fanatics aud boot
thirsty brutes.
The affair at Harper's Ferry, It seems, was not
servie Instruction but an effort in behalf Of tn
|, slaves by a few maddened abotionists 1t faile
most signaly; and that a similar result may folio
every such attempt, it is indispensibly necessar
that such system of discipline should be practice
as will prevent insubordination and suppress tbs
spirit of discomfort which ever follows too muc
> licence. The city authorities can do much to tn
+ end and we hope they will take the subject und'
, consideration.