The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-02-23
For the Pallsdi um
What Is our Dutye

OF soe
What Is our Duty.
Having shown in a former article that the
anti slavery or Republican cause has spread
and gained strength as fast as Its fr'ends
could reasonably have expected, l would
now briefly consider the question above sta
ted for l hold that if there ever was time
in our history demanding the prompt fulfill
ment OF every known duty, such time Is the
present. And first we should endeavor to
withdraw our support from the institution -
so that we shall not be building up with one
hand what we are trying to pull down with
the other. 1t must be evident to all that sia-
very is supported by the demand for Its pro-
ductions. Suppose that demand were to
cease TO- morrow, the result is certain; slavery
must cease of necessity. This is SO PLAIN
it scarcely needs an argument. For many
years past il has been seen and felt by many
Of the opponents Of slavery, but on account
of the difficulties of bringing it to bear and
the personal sacrifices involved, the mass OF
anti-slavery people have left it very much
out of view. Many conscientious persons.
who feel with Whittier, that,
He who gives the motive, makes
His brothers sin his owu,'
have refused so far as it was practicable.
to purchase and consume the proceeds OF the
labor of slaves, and it has been found that
the demand for free goods has created sup
ply; it being well known that, In some OF
the Eastern cities there are establishments
where such goods can be obtained. Practi-
caRy, all that has yet been done in this way
tells but ieebly against slavery. yet If all
who desire its downfall would unite in such
course the effect would be far different.
Cotton is the main staple of the South,
ana though sugar. tobacco and rice do their
mite of the work, the former is acknowledged
the world over. to be the great bulwark.--
British philsnthropists have long seen this.
and knowing that their country was the great
market for American cotton. turned their at
tention to the cultivation and procuring Of
the article from various other parts OF the
world where the labor Of lreemen only is EN-
ployed. They are now encouragingilt in their
own West India Colonies, In Australia In
the East Indies, and other parts OF the world.
and considerable quantities OF the raw IN ate
rial, in some cases superior to our best slave
grown, are annually imported into England
But it is Africa to which they most look
In many parts of that vast country the tree
or plant grows spontaneous, aud the natives
are encouraged to cease their petty, tribal
wars, which directly foster the slave trade.
carried on from the coast. and both to gather
that which grows Wild and to grow the plant
for commercial purposes.
Since commencing this essay l learn that
samples both Of cotton and cotton yarn have
been received in England from Dr.. Living
and Of the latter ball spun by the natives,
weighing more than pound. the cost OF
4 which was one foot OF calico, or two cents
+ This cotton grows in an easily accessible dis
,rict one hundred miles long by twenty broad
where it is SO abundant that a vast number
oil hlr
ground" Thus it is seen how the work Il
progressing, so that the quantity of free
crown cotton obtained from various source
s increasing, and will doubtless continue t
increase until slavery is made to tremble un
der its operation, provided all who desire II
c downfall will lend helping hand and CIV
a decided preference to goods obtained thrt
these channels And we must not forge
while treating of this part of our subject, tha
MANY Of the friends Of the institution in tn
South, are now recommending withdraw:
of their commercial support from the NORTH
. thus setting us an example
, The substitution Of the fibre OF dax for ths
p Of cotton must not be overlooked for whi
its success in an economical. and hence IN
practical point OF view still remains IN douo
we ought to give it our encouragement,
long as there is a reasonable nope Oh "s y
;, coming instrumental in accomplishing SO q
s;rable An object If slavery could not co..
q; a tnue but for the pecuniary support 1t trecelV
.s from those who buy or consume its pr
q. auctions whatever we can produce or eau
"a he produced or procured from other plac
N which would otherwise be drawn from Il
Slave States. must tend to weaken the pow
.. Of slavery. Let us bear this in mind.
, Before proceeding to consider what is o
dutv in a political point Of view. wish
allude to branch Of our subject as yet o
e. G,t,a discussed Should we succeed In elet
n. ;,g Republican President this year. Will
as. can surely be done if the Republicans OF
on on diana will go to work in good earnest
,s. hove Is to be the battle field, we may then'
he f,r,b look upon slavery as conhned to
Stateswhers it now exists. over which, a.
,s .e, fully conceded. these States RESPECTIVE
have the exclusive control. there the 9e
raj government cannot reach II. Du' u
= that the North is in some measure fesPohs'
for slavery We are implicated commefc
n, " and politically. Have we mol ior 'h'
ass fourths of a century been ouylng ahu oonS
NS, mo its cotton, its sugar. rice and tobacco
best w. not our politicians been lending 1t Il
.u,,or, wi,hou. which ere this It would n
hl.n a, least greatly in the wane. have
our churches been giving 1t their countena
I'D sunnort These being the facts In
.ter cass. let Congress set apart sum OF mo
age f-om the sale OF the public lands. to De Or
IS on bv any Safe that may be induced to
. ish slavery. to a stipulated amonn'' say
md fourth the value of each and all the s'a's
emancip.ted- The British gove1nmen' an oen !
,hs;r Wast India Colonies eco .0oo. 600 Y
thew abolished slavery there. Such
ue,s ositiou, emanating fAom the North "oun
Fresh unnch toward c0DctuAiiiiS 1-~sAS."
dies. hast the abolltlo
plss. ana Wooio Sei'"."' l. :.ss,.,
in the Mates. AltcE bAio AuSeiss
a asa, asU sh.ll have been permanently settled with
nrsssn, limits. some such plan should be
''" viii be, double 5. agi,ated in the Nor
"" Rut for the present. different question
Be be-. .si,a,sd q, tie, and settled Ere we can e
10 see slavery abolished where it now e e
.S Is We must confine it within its present II
b., done hY the aiS