The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-07-27
From the Adses1sser and Gazette.
Correspondence The Slave Trade.
MoNTaoaEay June la. l8!

MoNTGoMERy, j June IL, 1850
Messrs. Editors / enclose for publication
the within Correspondence, as conflicting
views and misapprehensions have been ex-
pressed in regard to tle objects of the forma-
ton of the African Laiz supply Association
was not present when this association
was formed and was not consulted either in
reference to its aims Of % my selection as one
of the alternate orator. While am grateful
for this evidence Of esteom and confidence it
is but due to the assoc zAtion and to myself to
say that | am not prehaFed at present to go
farther than is justifea b the minority re-
port and resolution nklQn the subject of the
African Slave Trad ode BY me to the
piass, q nay, 48sss snd wien was IN sub
stance adopted by the same body recently in
session at Vicksburg, by large majority
Further reflection has but confirmed me IN
the opinion then expressed, that the federal
laws prohibiting the African Slave Trade and
furnishing it as piracy are unconstitutional,
and at war with the fundamental policy OF
the South and, therefore, ought to be re-
pealed. i.
this question is beneficial. 1t has already
served to develop (not' to create) much un-
soundness in our midst upon the question OF
slavery; and one of the advantages of discus
sion will be to correct these erroneous views
and to warn our people Of those amongst us
who are radically unsound upon the prlncl-
ples which underlie that institution. 1t is
wisdom to ascertain wherein we are weak,
that we may fortify our position upon that
point and use extra vigilance
Until within the last twenty-five or thirty
wears, there had prevailed an unbroken calm
in the South upon the moral aspect OF the
slavery question. Taking its rise in the wild
and reckless radicalism Of the red republican
French school. the opinion had rooted itself
in Virginia, and thence had spread over the
whole Southland was taught in its religion
that slavery was morally wrong, was founded
in kidnapping and conducted in cruelty and
it was defended solely upon the ground that
it was impracticable to get rid OF it 1t was
in the midst of this unhealthy state OF the
public mind that the Federal laws, declaring
the African Slave Trade to be piracy, were
enacted.
The aggressions of abolitionism, however,
begat an antagonism of opinion at the South,
and under Mr.. Calhoun's lead, and under the
influence of his great mind, sounder and
wiser and safer opinion took root, and has
spread until it has become the prevailing be-
lief that African slavery is both morally and
politically right-not only because it Is IN our
midst without our being responsible for ITS
origin here, but also because it 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 occasionally
made against disturbing the quiet OF the South
on this question, we never should have made
the great progress we have attained in placing
the institution on the high and defensIbie
ground it now occupies.
For one, | am unwilling to see continued
upon the statute book these semi-abolitlon
laws-but desire to see the subject of slavery
taken from the grasp of the general govern
ment-and that government only be allowed
to act upon it to protect it.
Whether the African Slave Trade shall be
carried on should not depend on that govern
ment, but upon the viii of each slaveholdlng
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,