The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-07-29
TIE JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRAT.
The Revival Of the African Slave Trade.


We publish, in another column, an article
from the New Orleans Crescent, Which main '
tains thut the African Slave Trade, though 9
condemned by our laws Us piracy, is morally
no worse than tho Inter. State Slave Trade, !
or the system of Slavery established in the
States. The writer reasons, as it
seems to us. incontroyertiby, that to con-
demn ono is to condemn all. Tho only
fault wo can find with his position, is, that
be, as Southern Propogandist, favors both
Slavery and the African Slave Trade, which
wo regard as equally wicked and abhorrent
to tho moral sonse of mankind. DIR. Chan
nng,in clear and forciblo argument against
Slavery, pursues a course OF reasoning sim
liar to that of tho editor of tho Crescent,
Ilo says:
TO stoal or buy an African on his own
shores, is piracy. In this act, tho greatest
wrong is inflicted, tho tnost sacred right vio-
lated. But it u human being cannot with
out infinite injustice be seized us property, |
then hc cannot without equal g,bo hold
and used as such. Tho wrong in tho first
seizure lies in tho destination of u human
of him as chattcl or brute. Can that very |
use, which makes tho original seizure an
enormous wrong, become gradually inno !
cent : If tho slave receive injury without
measure at tho first moment OF tho outrage,
is he less injured by being hold fast the sec.
ond or tho third Docs the duration OF
wrong, the increase of it by continuance
convert it into right
Since the Southern Propaganda have
ceased to admit that slavery is in any sense
an owl, and have assumed that it is the
greatest Of social blessings, and the only
permanent basis OF good government, they
arc ut least consistent; and, in this respect.
they have obvious advantage of their North.
ern allies, who blindiy pursue the path mark.
cd out for them, as regardless of their own
best interests as of the rights of thoir fellow
men. If those who desire the revival of tho
African Slave Trade, reasoned from correct
premises, their conclusions would DO incon-
trovertiblc But, unfortunately for their
argument, Slavery is not u blessing, but II
dire:ul curse, and tho worst enemy Of our
Republican form of government.
This question cannot bc too seriously con-
sidercd at this time, as thoro is great proba-
| biity that tho revival of tho African Slave
Trade will bo tho next grand project of the
| Democratic party. We should all DO pre-.
/ pared, either to acQuiosco in that iniquity,
or to base our opposition to It Oh rational
and incontestiblo grounds. We do not sec
how those Democrats who have, year after
year, voted to strengthen the arm of the
Slave Powcr-who have hitherto made
every concession that has boen demanded OF
them, in its ordor-who believe that slave
) property IS US much recognized and protect.
cd by tho Constitution, as any other species
of property, and that negroes "havo nj
rights which whito mon are bound to ro
= spcct," can consistently deny to their"south
crn brethren" tho privilege of the African
s slave trade, which is absolutely necessary t
, perfect tho grand schomo of dovclopmen
! and expansion already inaugurated undo
. tho auspices of tho Democratic party
Y Nor HAVE WE A PARTICLE OF FAITH THA1
' THEY WILL DO IT. Acquicsconco in the dc
| mauds of tho slave power, however iuiqui
r tous or insolent seems to have become o no
b ccssity with them, from tho very nature o
| their position. Opposition must como from
D somo other quarter, and can bc made effect
. ual only through tho defeat of tho Demo
t cratic party. Whoever supposes that tha
5 party, after all its baso concessions to tht
slave powor, will stop nOlc in its mad career
o and assume u position more favorable t,
. Freedom, must be morally blind. 1t is ut
b tory incapacited for reform, and tho onl
=. hope of u bottor state of things is in it
4 downfall. Who does not know that it woul,
b now bo mere difficult to intorpose tho slight
j est obstacle in tho way of tho accomplish
mont of tho worst schomcs of theslave power
than it would once havo boon to deny il
:. mildest demands
u If tho Democratic party shall ontcr tn
u contest OF 1860 with the revival of tho A
d rican slave trade as tho chief plank in i
70 Platform, it will surprise no one who hi
b. understood tho policy of that party, durir
% tho past ton years. Republicans predictt
as much in 1856, and tho signs of tho tim
r. now Indicate that their predictions will
s: speedily verified. 1t is II war for dear Ii
if that tho slave power is waging against fr,
n institutions in this country-not n polite
o. conflict about some temporary question
ps policy and tho sooner this is realized
n. all, tho bottor for our nation and our race
o. " How sickles is Now Regarded in Wasl
ho iOufOn