Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-05-12
A CARD FROM MR. B0TTs.
. RrcHMoND, April l8, 1859.

10 the Editor OF the Whig:
Ihave recently received many letters from
different parts of the State, asking for a
copy of my Powhatan speech, delivered in
1850, which it is impossible for me to fur
nish, as have only some half dozen copies
left. As the best means of supplying the
information so earnestly sought by those
friends who are anxious to ascertain uhat
horrible sentimeuts uttered on the subject of
SLAVERY, which have been recently TO great
extent, substituted for the ifree negro mis-
representation, have concluded to D IbIjsh,
for the benefit of the Imposition party in
particular, everything in that speech that
relates to the question of Slavery; garbled
extracts of which have already appeared in
a small portion of the press of that party
many of them seeming TO think that there
was no great amount Of capital to be made
out of it, have declined to notice 1t. The
following is the part objected to. Isaid:
"There are, sir, two parties in our coun-
try, distinct from all the rest, of whom |
wish TO say word. The one in the North,
called "Abolilicnists," and the other, in the
South, known as ihe sDsunionists." lam
not sure for which Of the two parties have
The least sympathy or respect; and l am not
sure 10 which attaches the largest share of
the responsibility for the chief difficulties
with which the nation hus been lately af-
ficted.
"The AbolitionIsts seem to estimate the
value Of this Union (and 10 hold as con-
dition and price for its continuance) by
the abolition Of .!triean Narery. While the
ultra men of the South, or Disurionists,
seem to regard the perpetuatiOn and erten-
sion Of Slavery as the chief bond that can
hold them and the Union together. For
neither of these parties have any sympa-
thy. hold to the Union for far different,
and, trust, higher and nober purposes
II is for the PerPeiuation Of american Free
dom, rather than the abolition or perpeiua-
tion .4trican Slavery. / ON one of those
who think Slavery, in the abstract, is much
10 be deprecated; and whilst | think that,
as at present organized in the Southern
States, it is humanizing, civilizing, and
christianizing institution, as must all agree
who will take the pains to compare the
iginal African race, yet / regard it as a
great calamity that il should have been en-
tailed upon us; and | should lopk upon that
man as the first and greatest benefactor to
his country, whose wisdom could point out
to us some practical and satisfactory means
by which We could, through our own in
strumentality, and without interference from
our neighbors. provide for the ultimate e.
Emancipation and removal Of all the slaves
in the country. / speak Of this as desi-
rable thing, especially to the owners of the
slaves, who, think, are the chief sufferers,
but at the same time fear it is perfectly
Utopian to attempt it; but have seen too
much difference between the enterprise, the
industry and the prosperity Of the free and
the slave States, TO DOUBT the advantage We
would derive from it if it could be accom-
plished."
Now there it is; let them make the most
Of it. will add, that said it all at ma
ure age, afler full and careful deliberations
honestly believing and thinking all that it
contains. have seen no reason for nodif-
cation, recaEtdtion, or egGiu0cation. What
| thought and said then, think and repeat
now, in the most emphatic terms; and hold,
that he who objects to the sentiments con-
veyed, to be consistent, must not only be in
favor of reopening the African slave trade
at this time, but must take the position, tina.
if no such thing as Slavery had ever been
known. TO or introduced amongst us, he
would now favor its introduction, for the
frsttime; for if its original introduction is
not to be deprecated, but justified and ap-
proved, why would lie not advocate traf-
fc that holds so high a place in his judg-.
ment and regard2 ] do not know how ma.
ny there are in this State, or in the South,
who set themselves up as advocates of this
revolving trade, nor do care; have only to
say that am not one of them, and that, as
a humanized, cirilised, and ekristianized,
member Of the community, l should be ut
terly ashamed of myself if could entertain
any other epiRions than those / have ex-
pressed; and should deserve the scorn OF
all men, if could permit any condition of
the public mind to induce me so far 10 de-
base myself as to render me capable Of ex-
pressing any other, for The purpose of ca
tering to a morbid, vitiated, and corrupt
taste, or to an affected and artificial senti-