Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-22
The Slave Trade.

The slave Trade
81 Nothing to US appears surer guarantee
of the stability and probable permenance Of
the institution of slavery. than the revolu-
sion-radical in some places, partial every
where-which has taken place in its
favor. Men are now living who can re-
member when, throughout the world, even
here in the Southern States of America. it
was looked upon as great, but necessary
evil, and casual glance at the writings
and speeches of the founders Of our Repub-
lic, will not fail to make apparent the fact.
that all those great men considered slavery
IN evil, and its emancipation desirable
and certain contamination.
j. But soon the revolution which lad COM
fnenced 10 its favor, and the disastrous re-
suit Of emancipation in the West Indies,
convinced the South that. evil or good. it
was something which they must be content
to endure. Since them the change in the
sentiment Of the people has been so sure
and speedy, that now, the world. with the
exception of few fanatics, has come to look
upos The institution with leniency, and
the people of the Southern States with
affection and reverence So decided has
been the revolution In reference to this
question, that the penal Law making the
prosecution Of the Africon Slave Trade pi-
racy, is the only remaining vestige Of an
ancient prejudice. We have never been
able to appreciate the consistency Of those
who, believing slavery. as it exists in the
South, to be morally right, yet denounce
the slave trade-the mode in which that ex-
istence was created-as an Infamous traffic.
We have never been able to see anything
but nonsense and fallacy in the distinction
drawn between the morality Of purchasing
a slave in Virginia to transport to Alabama,
and the morality Of buying q slave on the
coast of Africa to bring to the United States,
where he will be better fed, better clothed,
and humanized and christianized. There
fore; conscientiously and devoutly believing
the institution Of slavery to be the most no.
BILE, humane aud christian institution with
which the creator ever blessed favored
people, We are forced to the logical conclu-
sion, that the slave trade, far from being
an infamous traffic, is, on the other hand,
all perfectly right, moral and proper. We
would not be understood as an advocate of
the slave trade, for although our moral and
christian duty would prompt us to favor
the extension Of this benevolent institution
at any risk or cost, still we would not be
willing to sacrifice the interests Of the South
to effect such an end consequently, as we
are not as yet convinced Of the expediency
we are opposed to the immediate re-opening
OF the slave trade. M
But it was not our intention in this arti-
Gle to discuss the expediency or inexpedi-
ency, the right or wrong of re-opening the
slave trade, but to add our voice to swell
the cry Of tho aroused and outraged people
ofthe South, for the repeal Of that unjust,
unconstitutional, and Infamous law. which
declares the slave trade piracy. The rea,
sons for the repeal of this Law are two-fold.
First, it cannot be enforced, for it ia con-
stanAy tFampled upon with scorn and i'm.
punity. and as general fule, it is PERM
cious for any Legislature or Government
to pass laws which, conflicting with public
sentiment, are wholly disregarded and dali
ly broken. And. secondly, its passage and
its maintenance 10 an infamous injustice to
the South. The Southern people have long
enough borne with patience law which
stamps with the brand of piracy and out
lawry the actions Of their forefathers. and
holds up to the scorn Of the civilized world
Southern slavery as an institution whose
very inception was attended with crime
worthy Of the gallows.