Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-07-12
HANOVER, VA.

thls county, in whose family it has ever
since been preserved.
HANOVER, VA, Jan. IS, 1913.
DEAR Sin: take this opportunity to
acknowledge the receipt of Anthony Ben
eZets book against the Slave trade. 1
thank you for it. 1t is not 81 little surpri-
sing that Christianity, whose chief excel
fence consists i'll sOftening the human
heart, in chcrishing and improving its
finer feelings, should encourage a practice
so utterly rePugnant to the first impress
SONS OF right and wrong. What adds to
the wonder is, that this abominnble prac-
tlce has been introduced in the most en-
lighted ages. Times that seem to have
pretcnsions to boast of high improvements
IN arts, sciences and refined morality, have
brought into general use and guarded bv
many laws species of violence and tyr
amy which our more rude and barbarous,
but more honest ancestors detestcd.
Is 1t not amazing that at 81 time when
the rights of humanity are defined and
understood with precision, in IL country,
above all others, fond of libcrty-that in
such an age and such country we fiud
men protesting religion the most hu-
mane, mild, meek, gentle and generous,
adopting princinle- ,.1s---trrU rIIG I5TDIe
and destructive to liberty? Every think
How few, in practice, from conscientious
motives
The world, in general, has denied your
people a share of its houors; but the wise
will ascribe to YOU a just tribnte of virtu-
Gus praise for the practice of IL train of
virtues, among which yonr disagreement
to Slavery will be principally ranked.
cannot but wish well to a people whose
system initiates the example of Him whose
life WAS perfect; aud, believe me, shall
honor the Quaker for their noble efforts 10
abolish Slavery. 1t is equally calculated
to promote moral and political good.
Would any one believe that am master
of slaves by my own purchase? l am
drawn along by the gcEcral Inconvenience
of living without them. will not-I
cannot Justify it, however culpable my
conduct. l will SO far pay my devoir to
Virtue, us to own the excellence and rec
titude of her prccepts, and TO lInent my
want OF conformity to them. I believe a
time will come when an opportunity will
be afforded to abolish this lamrntnblc evil.
Everything we can do, is TO improve it, If
it happens in our day; ;ifnot, let us trans
nit to our descendants, together with our
slaves, pity for their unhappy lot, and
an adherence of Slavery. Ii we cannot
reduce this reformation to practice, let us
treat the unhappy victims with lenity. 1t
is the furthcst advancement we can make
toward Justice. 1t is debt We owe to the
purity of our religion, to show that it is at
variance with that law which warrants
Slavery.
Here is an instance that silent meetings,
(thc scoif Of reverend doctors,) have done
that which learned and elaborate preach
ing cannot effect; SO much preferable are
the general dictates of conscience, and a
steady attention to its feelings, above the
teachings of those men who pretend to
have found better guide. exhort you
to pcrsevcrc in so worthy a resolution
Some of your people disagree, or at least
are lukewarm in the abolition of Slavery
Many trent the resolution of your meeting
with Iidiculc; and among those who
throw ridiculc and contempt on it are
clergymen whose Surest guard against both
ridiculc and contempt, is a certain act of
Assembly.
know not where to stop. l could say
many things on this subject, 81 serious ro-
view of which gives gloomy perspective
to future times. Excuse this scrawl, and
believe me with esteem, your humble SER
want, PATRICK Henry, JR.
JOHN AsLor, Hudson, Ny.