Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-11
THE POSITION OF MIR. LINCOLN.

of Slavery is highly conservative, and cannot
be objected to by any fair minded citizen. AT
Ottawa, Aug. 81, 1858, he spoke as follows
ssBefore proceeding, let me say l think
have no prejudice against the Southern peo-
pie. They are just what we would be in their
situation. If slavery did not now exist among
them, they would not introduce it. If it did
now exist among us, we should not instantly
give it up. This believe of the masses North
and South. Doubtless there are individuals
on both sides, who would not hold slaves nm
der any circumstances; and others who would
gladly introduce slavery anew, if it were out OF
existence. We know that some Southern men
do free their slaves, go North, and become tip
top pAbolitionsts, while some northern ones go
South and become most cruel slave masters.
ssWhen Southern people tell us they are no
more responsible for the origin of slavery than
we, acknowledge the fact. When it is said
that the Institution exists, and that it is very
difficult to get rid of it, in any satisfactory
way, can understand and appreciate the say
ing. / surely will not blame them for not do
ing what should not know how to do my self.
If all earthly power were given me, should
not know what to do, as TO the existing insti-
tuition. My first impulse would be to free all
the slaves, and send them to Liberia-to their
own native land. But moments reflection
would convince me, that whatever of high hope
Gas think there is) there may be in this, in
the long run, its sudden execution is impossl-
BILE. If they were all landed there In day,
they would all perish in the next ten days; and
there is not surplus shipping enough and sur
plus money enough in the world to carry them
there in many times ten days. What then
Free them all, and keep them among MS as un-
derlings? Is it quite certain that this betters
their condition. think / would not hold one
in slavery at any rate, yet the point is not clear
enough to me to denounce people upon. WI hat
next? Free them, and make them politically
II tall atc Nv ntyn
will not admit of this and il mine would, we
well know that those of the great mass of white
people will not. Whether this feeling accords
with justice aud sound Judgment, is not the
sole question, if, indeed, it is any part of it.
universal feeling whether we'll or i'll found
ed, cannot be safely disregarded. We cannot,
then, make them equals. 1t does seem to me
that system of gradual emancipation might
be adopted but for their tard;ness in this,
will not undertake to judge our brethren OF
the South. When they remind of their
constitutional rights, acknowledge them, not
grudgingly, but fully and fairly; and would
give them any legislation for the reclaiming
of their fugitives. which should not, in its
| stringency, be more like to carry free man
into slavery than our ordinary criminal laws
are to hang an innocent one.
ssBut all this. to my Judgment, furnishes no
more excuse for permitting slavery to go into
our territory, than it would be for reviving the
"a
forbids the bringing of slaves from Africa aud
that which has so long forbid the taking OF
slaves to Nebraska, can hardly be disregarded
on any moral principle, and the repeal of the
former could find quite as plausible excuses
as that of the latter.
"I have reason to know that Judge Douglas
kno,cs that said this. 1 think he has the an
swer here to one of the questions he put to me.
do not mean to allow him to catechise me ur-
less he pays back for it in kind. l will not an
swer questions one after another, unless he re-
ciprocates but as he has made this inquiry,
and have answered it before, he has got it
without my getting anything in return. He has
got my answer to the Fugitive Slave Law.
SHOW, gentlemen, / don't want to speak at
any greater length, but this is the true COM
plexion of all have ever said in regard to the
institution of slavery and the black race. This
is the whole of it, and anything that argues me
into his idea of perfect social and political e.
quality with the negro, is but a specious and
fantastic arrangement OF words, by which
man can prove se-chestnut to be a chest
nut-horse. l will say here, while upon this
subject, that hare no purpose, directly or indi-
rectiy TO interfere ,cith the institution Of Slarery
in the States Uhere it erisfs. l believe l have
no lawful right to do SO, and l have no incli-
nation to do so. / have no inclination to in
troduce political and social equality between
the white and black races. There is physi-
cal difference between the two, which, In my
judgment, will probably forbid their living to-
gether upon the footing of perfect equality;
inasmuch as it becomes necessity there must
be difference, 1, as we'll as Judge Douglas,
am in favor of the race to which 1 belong
having the superior position"