Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-02
From tho Charleston Evening News.
RE.0PENING THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

4 pamphlet against the Slave Trade, which
has lately come to our hand, approaches so
closely the line of argument which wo had pro-
posed to ourself, that to save time and labor
we adopt it in the discussion. 1t was prepared
by Mr.. Robert G. Harper, whom we have un-
derstood to be the son of the distinguished
Robert Goodloe Harper. Its first portion is
devoted to the relation of the subject to the
issue Of disunon, and to the constitutional ques-
tion on the existing laws; and the last to the
eXpediency or general merits Of the policy pro-
posed. We commence with the latter, and shall
give it entire in five successive extracts, each
covering distinct heads, which we shall indicate.
] The first of these appears to-day, and we ear
nestly recommend its careful study. In due
time we will also give his clear and conclusive
argument in support of the constitutlonality
and proprety Of the laws against the Slave
Trade. We shall accompany the publication
with q running commentary, furnishing our
own views.
We have read attcntivey, and without bias,
and with a view to form just Judgment, all
the reports, speeches and essays which have
emanated from the advocates of the Slave Trade,
and especially those of Mr.. Spratt, who was the
| first open and active mover of the question.
| Their leading characteristic is the entire COM
placency with which they beg the whole ques-
tion--first assuming the truth of their deduc-
tionS and of the premises from which drawn,
and then authoritatively dissertating upon them.
Yet there is not u single premise, peculiar to
their side, and necessary to their argument,
which is tenable, much less to be admitted.
The side of cause which can find no sound
and indisputable premises, is necessarily false
one-t is not as stable as house built upon
the sand. The extract published to day ann-
hilatcS some Of those urged 10y MIR. Spratt IN
his Report to the Southern Commercial Con-
yention at Montgomery.
To assume rs Mr.. Spratt does, that because
Slavery exists in the United States and is not
an evil but good, the African Slave Trade is
therefore right and humane, is about analogous
to the assumption that because man has
right to eat bread he may properly steal It,
Tue institution here came down to Us, Is I'M
movable and necessity, has become part Of
our very vitals, and in the course of our clvi!l-
zation has been organized and modified into q
mere system of industry, humane in its charac-
ter, supporting and improving to the negro,
productive to the master and the South, and
beneficial to the whole world. 1t does not, rs
the Slave Trade, offer bounties to stimulate bar
barous wars in Africa for captives, nor induce
treacherous kidnapping, nor consign to torture
and death by confinement and priratlon, thirty
per cent of human cargoes in the Middle pas
sage nor require cruel laws and treatment to
reduce untutored savages to discipline and In
structioD, nor, over all, force upon the Southern
citizens -iho l,stafnl and -ravoiting ofco OF en-
siaviag them. Yet all these evils, those inhu-
manities, these outragrs, are sought to be justi-
fed by the pepali&y which would perpetrate
them, in the name of industry, and, God save
the mark of Christianity. Yet although these
advocates can have M hope of so bunting the
moral sense of those citizens a. t., obtain their
assent to them, can never effect repeal of the
laws anil legitimate the trade, can not advance
sound reasons in its favor, even on the score OF
dollars and cents policy, they persist in the
insane effort of diStracting the country upon
all those points 1t is our firm belief, founded
upon inquiry and observation that the Chris
tians and humane of the South would prefer to
abandon the institution Of slavery as existing
than have en.raltcd upon it what shocks their
every moral convictions and instincts Yet
these agitators shut their eyes to the probability
that they are weakening the institution at home,
and increasing the horror OF it abroad.
The insdious argument addressed by them to
the on-slaVeholdersand poor men of the South,
is met and refuted on one point to-day. The
extract demonstrates that this class who most.
ly derive their support from their nwn industry,
will not bc benefited but injured by the i'm
portation of African negroes. 1t discusses tho
effect upon the wages and profits Of Labor, and
presents the injurious disturbance of the reia-
tions of labor and capital at the South.