The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-01-26
THE BAPTISTS AND SLAVERY.

We have long noticed that the Bap-
tist denomination of tho South take
true position on the question of sla7
very. We have no objections to tho.
churches discussing slavery in it's m Or
al and christian relations. In fact we
do not see how they can conscientious
ly avoid the issue. Slavery is either
right or wrong. We of the South say
it is right, and therefore it specially be:
comes our churches and church organs
to inculcatc this doctrine as taught in
the Bible. IN this connection we SUBJ
nit the following article from the South
western Baptist, as worthy of atten-
tion, both for its distinguished source
and for the intrinsic merit of the views
presented:
Our Washington correspondent gives
rather a gloomy and threatning account
Of our national affairs. Surely if there
is anything like conservatism, it is
time for it to manifest itself, and ifthere
be anything like vital pioty remaining
in the churches, it is time for it to eX-
ereise itself in fervent supplication.--
We have never seen such q state of
feeling in this country; more noise and
excitement we have often witnessed,
but such cold determination to main
tain the rights Of the South, and to en-
force, at all hazards, the most discrimi-
mating tests is a feature that gives fear
fulness to the present agitation. We
need, the whole country needs wise
counsel, prudent restraint.
The South ought to adjust its policy
with strict reference to its peculiar pO-
sition, and to enforce without compro-
mise, and yet without excess the true
doctrine upon the subject Of slavery,
AS people we have been extremely
torbcaring, and criminally indulgent
upon the subject; often tolerating, espe-
cially in our schools and school books,
very loose if not very pernicious doc
trines
The time has come, as indicated by
recent events, to put stop to this in
diligence and to demand of all who
seek support at our hands strict alle-
glance to Southern principles. Nom
who admits slavery to be u moral evil
is d fit man for the South; no male or
female teacher, who does not sub
scribe to the morality ofthe institution,
can bg trusted with the education of
our youth, and no book is worthy ola
place in Southern school room, which
does not teach this doctrine. Way
lands Moral Science, and such books,
ought to be secuted from our schools;
and no institution ought to expect
Southern patronage which does not
take this ground. Our position upon
this subject is not new, it is old and
well considered
No man pho beiieres slarery to be an
era can honestly defend 1t; he is a hypo-
crite nho attempts it, and hence emanci-
pationists are rs dangerous to the South
rs abOlitionists, the only difference be-
ing in remedies they purpose for what
both claim to be a social, and political
al and moral evil. The moment man
ADMITS anything 10 be moral eVii,
he is bound. rs an honest man to oppose
it to exterNination, and if he docs NOS
it is prima tacie evidence Of his own
corruptioR.
We defend slavery because OF our
honest conviction that it is socially,
politically and morally right. This is
the only true Southern platform and it
is as Scriptural as Southern.
MANY anti-slavery men defend our
rights under the Constitution, but they
can 20 no further They contemplate
the question from purely political
stand point, they defend the Constitu-
ton not slavery; this, however, does
not meet the whole question, nor even
the most important half Of it. Consti-
tutions ought to be adjusted to the eter-.
nal rule Of right; while, however, we
would most gladly cooperate with con,
men Of all sections in MAIN
tanning the Constitution, the South has
= most important work to accomplish
for herself in crcateing and preserving
a healthy public sentiment upon this
subject. D.