Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-09-21
OIL A r. x s WILLIE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Republicans Encouraging the
African Slave Trade.

African Slave Trade.
One wrong begets another and every wrong,
sooner later, inficts'adequate puninisment upon
the evl-doer. This truism is now being strikingly
excmplifed in the case of the Republicans who, by
their unprovoked wrongs.upon the-south, are caus-
ing the South'to retalate wrong for wrong and are
themselves reaping the reward of their iniquity.-
The slaves of the South are recognized-as property
by the Constitution and laws of the United States
and he who steals that property, or aids and abets
the thief is no less feon than the burglar high
way robbcr. Yet in the face of this fact, the Re-
publicans not only violate the laws of the country
but profess to beeveit praise worthy act to wres
from the STAKEHOLDER his legitimate property 1t is
apology for the act TO say that they steal the
gro to restore him to freedomit istheft under the
laws, and whatever the motive the guilt is the
30 long as the Constitution and laws remain un-
changed.
On the other hand, the African slave-trade is de-
clared, by the laws, to be piracy and thus whilst
the prejudices Of the North are respected by the
laws in the prohibition of the slave trade the rights
of the South are recognized and protected by the
Constitution and the laws For years. these COM
promises, without which the Union could never have
been formed gave satisfaction to both sections and
were mutually held nviolate But anaticism, at
length, raised its hydra-head in the North, and the
scene changed. Slavery was denounced as a
crime, and slave-stealing was Landed as virtue,
,and rs duty little less sacred than that of the wor-
ship of God. The work of abduction commenced,
and emissaries were sent out among the slaves of
the South to encourage them to escape from their
masters, with the promise of freedom and protec-
ton in the non-slave-holdng States. This fanati-
cism go far moulded public opinion in its own dis
torted shape that the laws for the rendition of fu-
gitves from labor became nullty, and the slave
holder was not only robbed, but denied the redress
to which the laws entitle him.
And what has been the effect of this pernicous
state of things upon the SouthH Justly enraged at
the wrongs done them in the face of the Constitu-
ton and the laws, not n few of them seem to have
come to the conclusion that IL is greater wrong
in them to abduct negro from Africa, than for the
Republicans to abduct one from the South. Both
act in violation of law, and the motive is a matter
of private opinion about which tho actors widely
dffer-the Northern offender contcnding that he is
serving the cause of God and liberty, by acting the
thief and the Southern offender arguing that he is
advancing the cause of civilization and christianity
by playing the pirate As no man is justifable in
violating the laws of his cougtry both parties are
criminal, aud neither can plead motive in extenua-
ton of guilt; yet the spirit of retaliation is inner
ent in mans nature, and the first offender is moi
only responsible for his own evil-doing but in part
e., a., h. T,a harm
fanatic forgetful of the obedience he owes to the
laws of his country, and regardless of the rights o.
others trapples upon both, and pleads higher law
ms authority for his grave oflenses. The Southern
victim of this vile fanatcism, goaded by his wrongs
takes shelter under the prccept and example of the
first offender, and trampes upon the laws of the
country and the rights Of the African. Thus the
Republicans encourage and foster the African slave
trade and put in the mouths Of those engaged in il
arguments as legitimate as those by which they JUS
tify their own laweSs conduct, and, as the first of
tenders incur a double responsibility.
We stated in the outset, that every wrong bring
It's own punishment upon the wrong-doer. Let u;
if the rule is likely to hold good in the case
the Republicans. There can be no greater curse tc
any government or country than population com
pounded,of mixed nces-the most inferior claiming
equal rights and position with the highest, We
bringing to the support of hegovenment and pros
perity of the country nothing but ignorance, indo
lcnce, vice and crime, II is known here, if not il
the North that the fugitive slaves comprise the mos
insubordinate and vicious of that population anC
when they land upon free-sol are prepared TO lea,
shinless hh-'purung labor as the evil from
which they fed, and relying, for support upon tn
unlawful appropriation of the fruits Of the labo
of Others. Such is the character of the negroc
that are constantly escaping into the free States
under the fostering care of a set Of fanatics who ar
too short-sghted 10 orcsee the vast amount Of evi
that is to grow out Of their rapid and endless accu
mutation in their midst To supply the loss of Ia
boz growing out Of the escape of their slaves int
the free States, the SouiherncB will have recours
q the African slave trade-no vigilance no law ca
prevent it, and MS the supply will ever he full
equal to the loss aud the loss proportioned TO III
mad flnatiosm which occasions it, he must be
fool who cannot the process by which the FIRE
States must inevitably be oyerstocked with free ne
groes. Africa affords an inexhaustbe supply, m,
whether the Union be preserved, or peaeeably dis
so,ved, It is the cate Of the North b be oveH'n
with population no bcteg than the wont type o