Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-06-21
The Slave Trade.

| We invite the attention of our readers,
and especially our Democratic readers, to
the article in another column, copied from
the Camollton Democrat" That this
article is fair expression Of the sentiments
of the Democratic party in the South 10
fact which no honest man, who has Or
dinary intelligence, will deny. We know
it is in direct conflict with the matured
convictions of the people of Ohio, and
other free States, but these States do not
control in any degree the action of the
party. The fifteen slave States send up
to the Senate and House of Representa-
tives in Congress, an almost unanimous
representation imbued with these senti-
ments. They there meet II few struggling
members from the free States, who have
found their way into these bodies by pre-
tending to the people that they were as
much opposed TO this monstlous iniquity
us the Republicans. Now when they meet
this solid mass of Democratic Representa-
tives in party caucus, what is to be done?
Every one knows that for party success
party union is essential. But how can
union be maintained unless one or both
sections surrender their schemes? Clearly,
the thing is impossible. Which, then,
will surrender? Will the ninety Southern
members, who represent the interests Of
| tl,o
men who have no very strong convictions
on tie subject? The supposition is simply
absurd The Northern men mast submit
or tie party Is broken. Every reader OF
this article kn0ws-muSt know-that the
result in the future will be as it has been
in the past.
But we appeal TO all candid men if the
reasoning-the logic-of the article re-
ferred to is not conclusive-absolutely ir-
resisable? Look at it! After demanding
the re,opening of the African SLAVE trade,
the editor asks these pertinent questions:
eff it is right-morally right-in the
sight of God and man for a citizen Of Ms
sssippi to owA slaves, it is right for him
to Juy slaves from the cilizens of Georgia:
And if 1t is right to 6uy sloOes Of Georgia
and bring Men, to MIS- iSSippi, it IS also
right to Juy them Of africa and bring them
here! WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE?-
| WHAT RATIONAL INCTIoN CAN BE
MADE?" And we repeat the question:
| What rational distinction can be made be-
tween buying slaves in Virginia and buy
ing them in Africa? The man or the
party that iustifes, sustains and upholds
the domestic slave trade, simply, and in the
face of the world, stultifies himself, or
itself, by objecting TO the african slave
trade. There is no possible escape from
this conclusion. Whoever justities the
Virginia trade and pretends to oppose the
Afric? n trade, writes "HYPoCRITE" upon
his brow in ineffacable characters. But
where is there a prominent lea'ler of the
Democratic party, either North or South,
who does not make the maintenance of the
domestic trade the central and vital arti-
Gle in his creed? And how can he be
consistent in opposing the foreign trade?
Manifestly there is nothing but the fear
of public sentiment, and, consequently,
the loss of votes which can prevent North
ern Democratic Representatives from
openly supporting the measure. And
how long will this feeble barrier Withstand
the demands Of the South; especially
with the power and patronage of the Gov
ernment in its hands to purchase the
needed votes?
We ask our readers in all sincerity to
look this thing fairly and honestly in the
face. Tile iSSae must be necH In the
name OF tie best interests, the peace and per-
manent safety Of our country-we ask, is
there not enough negroes in the country
new? One of the most diffic ult problems
for the statesman and philanthropist TO
solve, is the question of han monizing the
con tinued existence of two distinct races
in the country. This problem is becom-
ing more difficult with every increase OF
the colored population. The wisest, the
best, the most patriotic of cur statesmen
and humaniLarians, have grappled with
the subject for years, and although no
successful plan Of separation has been de-
vlsed, yet an inborn instinct, thousand
times more reliable than reasoning, tells
every unperver,ed mind that the present
state of things, progressing in the same
direction, cahnot last forever. This pop
uaion now numbers four millions, and