The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-29

of Slavery BY the Friends of Liberty and Equality
VIII lam SWAIN Printer, Greenshorough, North Caro-
lima. 1880
The above is the title of pamphlet of sixty
eight pages, which has just been republished in
New York, as nearly as possible resembling the
original. We have rarely met with an essay of
the kind in which we have taken so much in
terest
1t was prepared and published by the " Board
of Managers of the Manumission Society of
North Carolina, in General Association" The
interesting fact that such Society existed in
North Carolina thirty years ago, will be new to
many and their publication on the soil of the
State, of an elaborate address setting forth the
evils of Slavery in all their enormity, is an event
in the history of the State which is worthy
place in its annals.
This pamphlet was evidently written by a
sincere Christian, and sets forth, in plain strong
language, the terrible moral and social evils of
Slavery. We rarely meet with an essay which
deals with the subject with less reserve, or ex-
poses the radical evils and abuses Of Slavery
with sterner hand ; yet, without art or affecta-
ton, the writer avoids the common error of re-
polling those whom he would convince and re-
claim from their error. He TOR rather, we
should say, they, since it is the Manumission
Society which speaks) addresses North CAROLYN
ians as fellow-citizens and brothers and while
the evils of Slavery are held up to their abhor-
renee, they are called upon by their allegiance
to God and to justice, to apply the remedy.
The writer undertakes to show that
l. Our slave system is radically evil
2. 1t is founded in injustice and cruelty.
3. 1t is fruitful source of pride, idleness,
and tyranny.
A. Its evil effects are set forth.
5. 1t is contrary to the plain and simple max
inns of the Christian Revelation, or religion of
Christ"
These propositions are argued at length, not,
indeed, with the artistic skill of practiced au-
thorship, but a great amount of homely and ir-
REPUTABLE truth is brought out and we have
rarely met with pamphlet so well calculated
to do good in the South. threats Slavery from
the high conscientious and philanthropic point
of view. 1t urges emancipation almost exclu-
sively on these high moral grounds, and barely
alludes to the economical and political evils of
the system.
In order to remove Slavery, the Address
recommends
/. That no more slaves be admitted into the
State.
2. That law be enacted for facilitating in
dividual emancipation, provided the liberated
aABe ase Gsp4btah Of eAgi Saves tE 5 hafa con-
tracts with their masters, by which they may
purchase their own freedom.
4. The Board recommend the passage of
laws for imposing restraints upon the master in
his treatment Of slaves.
5. A law providing for their instruction, at
least so far as to enable them to read the Bible.
6. A law providing that all children, after a
certain period, should be free at certain age ::
and after the passage of the act, no negroes to
be removed from the State, in such a way as to
lose the benefit of said act
This Address should be widely circulated in
the South. As memento of past generation,
it has claim upon the curiosity and attention
which no recent publication can have while
the evident spirit of Christian philanthropy in
which it is conceived will commend it TO the
respectful consideration of all sincere lovers of
truth. Those who wish to disseminate Anti
Slavery principles in the South, and especially
in North Carolina, could not do better than to
send their funds to Mr. Lewis Tappan, AZ Beck
man street, New York, by whom the Address
has been republished. The circulation of the
Address, we presume, will be gratuitous and
we disclaim for ourselves and Mr. T. any of
the sinister motives which prompt newspaper
pufs, terminating, as this does, with an appeal
for money.
Sunday Morning Thoughts: or Gods Truths in Plain
Words. By Mira Thomas Geldart, author Of Truth is
Everything, Daily Thoughts for a Child
Sunday Evening Thoughts. BY the same aulhor New
York Sheldon & Co. Is Nassau street Boston
Gould & Lincoln For sale by Taylor Maury, Wash
ington, d. c.