Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-07
Slaves and Free Persons of Color.

At time like this every thing which concerns
domestic slavery is interesting and important
We have observed for years in this community
and in this State, the prevalence and the increasing
prevalence of the opinion carried out in practice,
that an extraordinary amount of kindness to the
slave is as proper to be shown as regular discipline
and just enforcement of duty on the part of the
slave. Far be it from US to advise undue rigor;
but too much liberty, too much indulgence will be
sure to injure both the slave and the master. We
must recur to primitive times and to the early
dition of the slave The laws Of rewards and pun
ishments must be strictly observed If these should
be set aside to any considerable extent, and the
slave left to the exercise of his own WILL under
mistaken idea of kindness and humanity, the conse
quences cannot fail to be serious
We have laws in this State which apply to slaves
and free persons Of color; but these laws will be of
little service as they have been heretofore unless
the owners of slaves themselves take care that their
slaves are properly cared for and properly ruled at
home. Domestic government makes good or bad
children, and good or bad servants. If that gov
ernment be strict but kind and reasonable, it will
produce good results; but if it be loose, and care
less, and vicious, the worst consequences may be
anticipated
1t is a good rule in the management Of slaves or
servants to clothe we'll. feed WE'LL and whip well, if
whipping be needed Such a rule as this, instead
of being cruel to the slave, is indeed merciful 1t
meets every purpose which Providence has designed
in his creation far his physical or bodily
services are concerned; but beyond and above this,
it is the duty of the master to allow him provide
for him the means of spiritual instruction. With
this view, as we have just said, would recur to
primitive times, and would have the servant and
the master worship together around the same family
altar and in the same Church This is, to consid-
cradle extent still the custom in this State; but Of
late the slaves have been allowed to assemble in
separate Churches under the and direction of
two or three white persons and thus carry their
own worship. We think this innovation on the old
custom ought to be arrested. Its tendency is, in
our opinion, injurious.
While the slave is treated justly and kindly, and
while he is rewarded substantially, as well as by
commendation and encouragement for his good
conduct, he ought at the same time to be taught to
realize his absolute subjection to his master. His
masters will should be his will. Nor should undue
hndrances be interposed by the law to his punish
ment, even for misdemeanors. By the law as it now
exists when slave is arrested and brought before
Justice of the Peace for misdemeanor, and when
the Justice orders him to be whipped-as is frequent
ly done, after hearing all the evidence-the master
has right of appeal to the County Court. This
right of appeal should be taken away and such
cases should be con6ded to three Justices of the
Peace, whose Judgment should be final This would
ensure prompt and speedy punishment, and at the
same time protect the slave and his owner from any
improper prejudice which might be entertained
against them by single Justice.
Our patrol laws should be strictly enforced, and
the patrolers themselves, many of whom nom
Shareholders, should be firmly upheld in the per-
formance of their duties 1t will not do except for
the best and the clearest showing, to pros
ecute patrollers for damages for chassing slaves.
Mean white men, whs trade with and corrupt the
slaves, should be severely dealt with The African
is naturally pliabe, and easily imposed on. His ap
petite for ardent spirits and for the Of "nery
and good living is stronger than that of any other
race; and, as general rule, he oiU take little
something of old masters" or young masters as
the case may be, and lay it out for grog or nery.
Let those who lead them into temptation, and who
would make profits out of other mems property,
thus obtained from slaves, be made to suffer for it.
This evil can never be entirely put down in slave
holding communities; but vigorous and wedirect
ed efforts by all good citizens, will do much to di
minish it. Let the law be enforced; and let Grand
Juries see to it that every case which will bear pre-
sentiment is presented, without "fear, favor, or af
fection'
There is another defect in the management o.
slaves to which we would call the attention Of slave
holders. 1t is the mistaken kindness exhibited by
the owner in interfering with the hirer, in cases
where interference is neither required ought te
be tolerated. When man hires slave for . giveI
space of time that slave is his substantially during
the time He is entitled to his services, and has
right to control the slave for the time agreed upon
provided his treatment of the slave is not barbarous
or cruel. The owner should Interfere only in ex
treme cases, and should neseE,d he can possibly
avoid it. take his slave away a re-hire him for thu
remainder of the year., Pers4es Of moderate means
complain that servants ere Sins unduly protected
by their owners, who are gineraly large slavehold
ers and that they, the hitfH are exposed to loss
by such servants either ssasnting themselves for
part of the time, or BY their frequent appeals t,
their owners for redress heir supposed or alleged
grievances. LIE. siaveholds, insuch cases as these
be careful how they take A. word of their slave
against the statements Of those to whom they have
hired them, no matter hs8 humtle in life the latte
may be- sf ST. . So. .. si'g
Every slave should be utder tho ;u,u .l;ot. con