The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-04-21

The editor brings to light some very
(orcible and additional argument
for the repeal of the laws now in force
in regard to the traffic in slaves. Let
every one read it and digest its scnii.
ments fully.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
W. have lately read several news
paper articles on the subject Of the
African slave trade. We have also
observed the subject has been agita'
ted to some extent in the Southern
States. 1t seems to be generally con-
cluded that this trade is wrong, ana
that it ought not to be tolerated. The
laws of the United States dcnouncc it
as piracy and murder, and pursue all
parties found engaged in it with the
extreme rigors and highest penalties
OF the law.
In reading the history Of former
ages we are often surprised, not only
at the errors, but also and more at the
force and long continuance Of public
opinion aud the unjust laws founded
on them. The opinions and lawSol'he
Christian world on the subject Of her
csics-putting all ages and sexes to
death-and the most cruel torturcS
for refusing TO conform to the dogmas
and prescriptions Of the Roman
church, is one remarkable instance Of
the error and the force Of public opjn-
ion. Another instance may be found
in the history OF our own country, VIZ;
the opinion and laws Of New I'm
gland concerning witchcratt, and
the punishmcnls, torturcs and death
legally inflicted on men and women
supposed TO be witches. The history
Of all past ages is full Of such exam
pie Of false opinion, and unjust and
absurd laws, founded on and enforced
by such false opinions.
The facts Of history do not cncour
age us to take it for granted that any
particular policy is right or wrong,
simply because it is in general use,
and is sustained and enforced by the
liturgics Of the church or laws Of the
State. Such policies may be useful,
%cxpcdient and right when first inau-
guratcd, but the facts, the reason and
the circumstances which made them
so, may all cease or change, and so
leave the policies to be continued by
public opinion without reason and en-
forced by laws without justice.
In considering the subject Of the
African slave trade as to the right or
the wrong-thc good or evil OF it in
our day we should not be biased by
the opinions or the laws that have
heretofore prevailed concerning if. II
public opinion is in error, let it be en-
lighlcncd and corrected. lflhe laws
are unjust let them be repeated.
flour opinions on this subject have
been at all influenced by personal
considerations Of associations we are
altogether unconscious Of the fact
Nor do we express opinions in this pa
per in reference to popular notions or
the taste that may control the scntl-
mcnts of Church or State. Discus
Sions on every subject connected with
the institution Of slavery arc apt to be
mixed up with ideas OF morality, phi
lanlhropy rChristianity. As to this
aspect Of the subject we have but lit
tie to say here. While parlors and
kitchens exist, as they ever have, in
the social order, there must and will
be occupants for both. The tenure
of scrvitudc is a mere incident. The
thing belongs to and is an essential
part Of society. The relation Of mas.
ter and servant is expressly rccog-
nized and fully sanctioned in the
scriptures. The wisdom and the just
ness Of the sentiments Of the Bible
never have been and never will be
improved by mans wisdom. 1t is alb
surd for one man or one race OF men
to attempt to fix the PoSltlon-thc
"bounds of hnbitation' for another
Call it fate, destiny, nature, fortune or
providence, the fact is there are pro-
pie fitted for all the positions and oc.
equations that civilized society create,
and in their several proper places, the
people are most happy. The condi-
ton of the African tribes that have
become an attach Of the civilization
of the white race is an alienation
over that Of the kindred in their wild
statc--sunkcn into the lowest savage
ism and the vilcst degradations. The
African population in the Southern
States are more prosperous as a race,
and are therefore more happy-arc in
a state better suited to their destiny,
than they would have been, or than
their kinded now are, in Africa or in
any other condition. All attempts Of
philanthropy to elevate this race
above the social and political condi-
ton that all experience, from the time
OF Noah's flood to the last African col
O~nization failure, proves it to be best
adapted to, have been so many at
tempts TO change tho bounds and
habitation' Of its dcsiiny--attcmpts to
force nature out Off ordinations-at-
tcmpts as lruitlcss as would be the at.
tempt of the Leopard to change his
spots, or the Ethiopian his skin AS
the institution of slavery is thus a
provision of civilized society, founded
in the nature and order of things, and
sanctioned by the divine will, it is n
good thing in itsclf-good to the race
1t has elevated out transferable heath
enish darkness, and horrible idolatry
n cannibalism, to a state of securi-