The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-08-31
For the MeRissitpjiat.
The African Question.

Mr. EDITOR Having been earnestly soil
cited TO give my view of the African question,
by your permission | now propose to do So
in as concise manner as possible
Two years ago | was strongly opposed to
the African Save trade-not because ] beley-
ed it sin, or an injury to the African race
but because had been led by the doglnatical
assertions of big men," to believe that it
would be an injury to our country. \ thor
ough Investigation of the matter "to the hest
of my ability has convinced me that the re-
opening of that trade would promote the gen
eral prosperity and welfare Of the Southern
States consequently | am now abstraetly in
favor Of the trade | say aLstreetly III favor
| of the trade, because | feel bound by christian
/ principles to submit to ''the powers that be-
and so long as the State of Mississippi thinks
proper to aequiesce, must obey the law III its
| mohibitory character, constitutional or not.
On christian principles, have right, as an
/ individual, to decide on the merit, of law in
its prob ittss-y~Aaraceer. But do claim the
+ HouIu cAciCiSS IL, vi hSeiA-
ing for myself on its compulsory character.
| Let me illustrate on what may soon be prae-
teal question. Suppose my ncighbor y.
should buy Virginia negro, and my neigh
Dor B. should buy Congo negro f; the FEEDER
al Court passes by the former, seizes tie latter
and summons me as jury to try him for pi-
racy. Would it be my duty to find him guilty
| if the fact was proven trow not-no more
than to fall down and worship golden image
but rather to suffer the penalty of the law
| than do So
| The killing man is not necessarily muir
der, and therefore, it is the duty of the Legis-
| lature to define what constitutes murder
Neither is taking property by force on the
high seas necessarily piracy, and therefore, it
fine what constitutes piracy But if the Leg
islature should define the trading in Mexican
mules to be murder, then, as juror should
be bound to suffer the penalty rather than
find a man guilty under such Il law. It is
| equally revolving to common sense for Congress
to define the trading in Congo negroes to he
piracy
As a juror / am sworn to find according to
law and evidence. But am told that it is
my duty to follow the instructions of the
court If that be true, then, the oath should
be accordingly. My course as Juror, under
the usual oath, has been to weigh the testimo-
ny, the arguments Of the lawyers, and then,
receive the instructions of the court as ad-.
dressed to my Judgment, to prevent me from
being imposed on by the chicanery of Attor-
neys But after all, if my judgment is con-
WINGED that the instructions of the court are
wrong, | am bound to find according to the
former instead of the latter.
, But it is said, that this is the position IF
the Abolitionists relative to the fugitive slave
law Not so. If the Abelitiouists would
simply occupy neutral position on that law,
as well as slavery generally, there would be
no cause of complaint. The South would not,
in that case, need the constitutional protection
of property in the territories. Foolish Gala
tons. may be so far ''bewitcheds by the
teaching of transformed angels Of light, as to
believe it violation of christian principles to
aid in executing said law--if so, they should
be relieved of that duty. And If eminent
statesmen should think proper to intervene
with their prayers only 'for the abolition of
slavery everywhere we have no objection
We are more than willing to refer the matter
| to Him who established the institution of sla-
very for the mutual good of both races. But
unless the praying portion of the Abolitonists
desire to TASK amiss and receive not let them
pray according to the word Of God, that mas
ter and servant may discharge their proper
duties towards each other, and thus fulfill the
commandments of Christ.
/ 1t is not the neutrality Of the -Abolitionists
of which the South complains, bat it is their
deceitful hypocritieal, busybody, active and
violent opposition to the fugitive slave law,
and to slavery generally-thus showing their
| resistance to the powers that he" for which
the word of God says that they shall receive
to themselves damnation''-"le God be true
but every (Abolitionist liar.
A FARMER