The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-17
IMPROVEMENT" OF THE HARPERS
FERRY AFFAIR.


boasted of the superior stability and security OF
Southern society, as compared with free society
in any part of the world. They have fslicitated
themselves especially upon their exemption
from all the disturbing and agitating isms
which, in the free States, occupy so much of
the public attention, and cause dissension in
the churches and parties of that section, and
reason. They pointed, with glowing pride, to
the calm repose Of the Southern mind. No
new theories of liberty, religion, or social life,
ever found advocates, we were told, where the
"patria-chal institution held sway. All their
ways were pleasantness, and all their paths
were peace. These high Pro-Slavery authori-
ties seemed deeply to deplore the forlorn con-
dition of the States which are not blessed with
the "pecuiar institution" Their sympathies
were moved, they mourned over the failure of
free society,"" and exhorted their Northern
brethren to retrace their steps, restore Slavery,
and thus save themselves from impending wreck
and ruin.
Such was, few brief weeks ago, the tone
of Southern journals. But, while indugling in
dreams Of perpetual peace and security, a half
mad enthusiast, with seventeen followers, strikes
blow which shakes the whole fabric of South
ern society to its centre. Fifteen States, as
large as half Of Europe, are convused with
rage and fear. The Federal Government, backed
by two of the oldest and most powerful of the
Southern States, fly to arms, in order to rescue
town Of two thousand inhabitants from the
hands of eighteen men No better illustration
of the absurdty of the boosted security of slave
holding society could be Imagined than these
facts furnish. 1t is true that the slaves did
not rise against their masters, for the reasons
assigned by the Richmond Enquirer, viz that
on the northern borders of Virginia they find it
easier to run away than to conquer their free
dom. Slavery, says the Richmond Democratic
organ, only exists by suAerance in Northern
Virginia. The negroes and the masters are
said to be aware of the ease with which eman-
cipation can be effected by crossing over into
Pennsylvania and it would be ncurrng un-
necessary risk of life to fight for freedom, when
it can be obtained so easily and quietly. But,
further South the Enquirer thinks, and we
have been quite different; and the greatest
vigilance will be, and should be, used to pre-
vent similar occupence. 1t is lamentable to
know that large portion of our country is sub
jest to be panic stricken by the Vaccinations
of dozen or twenty men but the fact is so,
and it is folly to attempt its concealment In
surrections forever impend over countries which
hold one half of the people in absolute chattel
slavery to the other half
The South, Notwithstanding the fine argu-
ments in favor of Slavery with which her peo-
pie have been amused for some years past, is
beginning to realize this great fact and in
spite of the excitement and anger which the
Harper's Ferry invasion has produced, the effect
must be permanent feeling of dissatisfaction
with state of things so incompatible with
peace and security. Here, then, is the first great
consequence of that affair.
But, from dissatisfaction, insecurity, and con-
scious weakness, the public mind of the South
will be led to question the utility of an institu-
ton which brings these evils in its train. Dis
cussion must follow the madness of party and
the prejudice of education must give way before
the imperious necessities the hour Something
must be done to abate the constantly threaten
ing danger. What shall it be? The imme-
date and voluntary abolition of Slavery cannot
be expected. Slave property is too valuable to
expect its immediate and voluntary relinuuish-
ment, while TO maintain the system in its
present form of unmitigated and unrestrained
&c f-o, IL al
A dissolution Of the Union, so far from mend
, ing the matter, would only serve to precipitate
the apprehended catastrophe.
The house of refuge for runaway slaves would
by that event be brought down from Canada to
the frontiers Of Maryland and Virginia, Ken
lucky and Missouri. No amount of vigilance
could prevent stampedes on far greater scale
than that on which they have hitherto been
conducted. The value of Slavery in all the
States bordering on the north would rapidly
depreciate, and the only security for that spe-
cies Of property would be in sending it immedi-
ately to the shores of the Gulf Of Mexico. The
border States would in this way be made free
much sooner than they can be under the pro-
lection of the Union and either the old war of
Freedom and Slavery would again arise in the
Southern Republic, or the free States belong
ing to it would secede, and join the North.
This is putting things on their best footing.
1t Is supposing that the Union can be quietly
and peaceably dissolved, and that the whole
South will secede in a body. But this is not at
all probable. Notwithstanding the present ex-
element, which is said to be intense, we haz-
ard little in the prediction that the more north
ern slave States will not secede upon the naked
issue of resistance or submission to the rule of
Republican President. A large majority of
the people will say, let us wait until our con-
stitutional rights are invaded, before we pro-
coed to break mp the Union :" and as that
contingency will not happen, no other conse-
quence will follow the Inauguration of a Re-
publican President than the assemblage of
few noisy Democratic" Conventions in the
Southern States, and the adoption of pompous
manifestoes.
Whether in the Union or out of it, the dan
gers arising from Slavery, while it maintains
its present form, will continue What then
can be done? What is practicable? 1t seems
to US clear that the South should at least begin
to ameliorate Slavery, if not to provide for its
| abolition. Indeed, amelioration is a prepare
tory step to the final extinction of the system.
while 1t is absolutely necessary to its peaceful
existence. The South should make Slavery
what its advocates claim it to be, viz a patri.
archal institution. The slave should be bound