New-York daily tribune., 1859-07-30
REOPENIyG THE SLAVE-TRADE.
HIGHLY INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.


MoNTGoaERY, June i3, 1859.
M,ssRs. EDlroRs: / inclo,e for publication the
within respondence, as conflicting views and mis-
apprehe usons have been expressed in regard TO the
objects of the formation Of the African LsborSupply
Association 49,,
was not present when this Association was FORM;
and was not consulted either in reference to its AIMS
or TO my selection one of the alternate orators
While sm grateful for this evidence OF esteem and
confidence II is but due to the Association and TO my
self to say that am not prepared at present to 20
further than is justified by the minority report and
resolution upon the subject of the African slave'trade
.1ade by NE the Southern Convention when IN se'-
sion at this place in May 1888 and which was 10 sub.
stance adopted BY the same body recently IN session
Vcksburg, by large majority.
Further reflection has but confirmed me in the
opinion then expressed, that the Federal laws pro-
hib.Dg the African slave trade, and punishlng IL as
piracy unconstitutional aud are ut war with the
fundamental policy OF the South, and therefore, ought
10 be repealed.
| AN further satisfied that the agitation OF this ques
ton is beneficial. 1t has already served TO develop
not to createl much unsoundness in our midst upon
the question OF Slavery; and of the advantages
discussion will be TO correct these erroneous views and
to warn our people of those among rs who are radi-
caly unsOund upon the principles which undere that
institution. 1t is wisdom to ascertain wherein we are
weak that may forty our position upon that point
Until within the last twenty tive thirty years, there
had prevailed unbroken calm in the South upon tho
moral aspect Of the Slavery question Taking Us rise
in the wild and reckless rsdcasm OF the Red Rupub
lican French School the opinion had rooted itself
Virginia, and thence had spreat over the whole South
and was taught 10 its relgion-that Slavery was
morally wrong founded IN kidnapping and con-
Quoted cruelty; and it defended solely upon the
ground that ii impracticabe to get rid Of it. 1t
ives in the midst of this unhealthy state of the public
mind that the Fedeala laws, declaring the African slsve
trade to be piracy, we're enac,ed.
The aggressions OF Aboltionism, however, begat sn
antagonism OF opinion at the South, and uuder Mr.
Calhouns lead, and under the influence Of his great
mind sounder and wiser and safer opinion took roo
and has spread until has become the prevailing belief
that African Slavery is both morally and politically
rght-Dot only because it is in midst without our
being responsible for Its origin here but alsO because
has always existed and been protected by both
human and divine law.
If Mr. Calhoun had paid any attention to the absurd
protest which is very occasional made against DIS
turbing the quiet OF the So0h this question, We
never should have made the great progress hsvs
attained in acing the institution on the high and de-
fenslbe ground II nov occupies.
For one, | an unwilling to see continued on the
statute book these semAbol'ti0n laws-bat desire 10
the subject of Slavery taken from the grasp of the
| Ger era G0venment-and that Government only be
allowed to act upon it to pro ect it,
Whether the African Slave Il ade shal be carried 90
should not depend on that Government bat upen tbe
viii of each slaveboo ing State To that tribunal alone
should the question be submitted; and by the decision
Of that tribunal alone should the Southern people
| abide. Yours respectfully, w. l.. YAScEY.
MoSTGoNERY, Ala, May 23 1879
j. ID. b. DEBow, esq. New-Orlesns.-De So.
zee by the newspapers, that an Afcsn Labor-Suppy
Association formed at Vicksburg just after the
adjournment of the late Southern Convention. In the
published proceedings / also notice tina, Mr. Sprst
was selected to deliver address at the meeting
Of the Assocation and chosen a. one OF t1o a.
| ternates.
The Constitution Of the Association as IL appears In
the public prints, is indefinite to the designs of the
Association, or should rather say, to the manner
ID which il will promote the supply of African labor.
j therefore address you, rs the President Of the
Association, and request Of you full explanation Of
the aim Of the Association, and of the means by which
it is to be obtained Particularly desire to be in
formed whether the Association in the event thst the
laws OF the United States against the importation Of
Africans as slaves, cannot be repealed or declared
unconstitutional designs TO encourag ge the slsversde
between this country and Africa Cube and Brazil in
/ violation Of those laws.
(Signed) Yours, respectfully.
W. L. YANCEY.