New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-12


my entire approval.
have long thought that our disputes concerning
negro Slavery would soon terminate if the public
mind could be drawn to the true issue, and steadily
fixed upon it. To effect this object was the sole
aim OF my address.
Though its ministers can never permit the law of
the land to be questioned by private Judgment,
there is, nevertheless, such thing as natural JUS
tice Natural Justice has the Divine sanction aud
it is impossible that any human law which conflicts
with it should long endure.
Where mental enlightenment abOunds, where mo-
rahty is prOiessed by all, where the mind is free,
speech is free, and the press is free is it possible in
the nature of things, that law which is admitted
to conflict With natural Justice, and with Gods own
mandate, should long endure
You all viii admit that, within certain limits, at
least our Constitution does contain positive guaran-
ties for Il preservation of Negro Slavery in the old
States through all time, unless the local Legislatures
shall think fit to abolish it, And, consequently, if
NeaIo Slavery, however humanely administered or
judicousy regulated, be an institution which con-
ficts with natural justice and with Gods law, surely
the most vehement and extreme admirers of john
Browns sentiments are right; and their denurcn-
tons against the Constitution, and against the most
hallowed names connected with it, are perfectly
justifable.
| TIE friend. OF truth-the patriotic Americans
who would sustain their cOuntry's honor against
foreign rivalry, and defend then cOuntrys interests
against all asSaants, err greatly when they contend
with these men on any point but one. Their gen.
era principles cannot be refuted; their logic is
irresistible the error, if any there be, is in their
premises. They assert that Negro Slavery is un-
Just This, and this alone, Of all they say, is
capable of being fairly argued against
| If this proposition cannot be refuted, our Union
cannot endure, and il ought not to endure.
| Our negro bOndnen can neither be externinated
nor transported to Africa. They are too numerous
for either process and either if practicable, would
involve violation of humanity. If they were
emancipated, they would relapse into barbarism,
or a set Of negro States would arise in our midst,
possessing political equality and entitled to social
equality. The division of parties would soon
make the negro members powerful body in Con-
gress-woud place some of them in high political
stations, and occasionally let one into the Execu.
| tive chair.
1t is in vain to say that this could be endured; it
is simply impossible.
| What then remains to be discussed
The negro race is upon US. With Constitution
which held them in bondage, our Federal Union
might be preserved; but if 80 holding them in bond.
age be a thing forbidden by God and Nature, we
cannot lawfully so hold them, and the Union must
| perth.
This is the inevitable result of that conflict which
| has now reached its climax.
| Among us at the North, the sole question for
| reflection study, and friendly interchange of
| thought, should be--Is Negro Slavery unjust
The rational and dispassionate inquirer will find no
difficulty in arriving at my conclusion 1t is it and
proper; it is, in its own nature, as an institution,
beneficial TO both races; and the effect of this as
sertion is not diminished by our admitting that
many faults are practiced under it. Ia not such
the fact in respect to all human laws and institu-
lions
srn, gentlemen, with great respect, yours truly.
- =, CHARLES oCON0R
bruh, Brother Sewer e. y. Hatch Co.; Davis Noble
Coi w esson Cox Cronn, Iurrths Seas Atgtcr.
Aulloid Ca
s-@~-~--------~-