Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-22
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10. 1850

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follow separation from the northern states
and might accompany civil war.
1t is claimed that such is the love of the
slave for his master, and such his contempt
and lear OF abolitionists, that he will fight
against the north by the side OF his owner.
Was that the case in the war of the reyolu-
ton Ramsey in his history of South Caro-
lina asserts that "they [slayes] iocked by
hundreds TO the British camp" when it was
once understood that by this means they
would gain their freedom. Did not the slaves
take every opportunity to go over to the enc
my during the war of 1872 And would
they not now, in case OF hostilities between
the two sections of our country? The cry for
a more stringent fugitive slave law disposes of
this subject, If the slaves run away now
with risk of being brought back under the
act of 1850, of course they would run all the
quicker and faster if they had no fear of rem.
diion before their eyes. And those who are
restrained from enticing them away now
would then be at liberty to follow out their
own views.
But as to instruction, can the slaves be
trusted when hostjlites shall ensue We re-
member that during the revolution South Car.
DINA asked to be excused from furnishing
their quota of troops, on the ground that their
men were needed at home to keep their slaves
from rising. Have the slaves increased in
obedience and good feeling towards their mas
hat sai1 thot fhpro
was no instruction among the slaves during
the revolution, even after the British had tax
en- them under their protection. True, but
the policy of England was different from what
it is now, and different from our present poll
cy. England then protected slavery in her
West India possessions, and was hoping to re-
gain possession of our southern colonies, and
she countenanced no proceeding on the part of
the negroes, that would reduce the value OF
any Of her provinces. But would the ne
groes receive any countenance in insurrec-
hon from the hands Of the north To an
swer this question requires a statement Of
painful facts.
There is little doubt but that the hanging OF
John Brown, has made others of like belief
emulous to share his fame even at the risk OF
his fate Now they are restrained by GER
tainty of public condemnation, and of punish
ment wherever they may be found, whether
in the south, or in the north, or even in the
British possessions In case of war, such per
sons, would act, not under the countenance,
at least without fear of punishment from the
north. If we may Judge from the sentiment
manifested toward the memory of John Brown,
| his followers would not be few. Then upon
their reception by the slaves, would turn the
! question OF Instruction. There is every rea-
son to fear that they would not only be sue
sessful in causing the desertion OF the slaves
to the other side, but that general rebellion
| would ensue, and we found our belief upon
! the statement OF the southern press as to the
| known uneasinesS Of the slaves, and of their
idea that their freedom is in some way con-
necied with the election Of Lincoln.
The thought of such an event almost
| freezes the soul with horror. The scenes of
| st. Domingo would be re-enacted. The torch,
| the knife, RIGHTEOUSNESS and rapine would be
| rampant. ne l;twS VI war would OF coul Sc
be set at naught, Tor the negroes il they knew
them, would not be bound by them. Between
the north and south doubtless the same scru
| pulousness as to private property, and the
| rights of non belligerents would be used, as
was practiced during the Mexican war But
| what power could restrain the negro, mad.
dened by his new found freedom and his thirst
for revenge The whole power OF the states
IN which slavery exists would be necessary to
bring them into subsection And in case they
should fail, as fail they might in those states
where the slaves predominant over the whites
in numbers, they would be reduced to the ne
cessity OF accepting the aid of the north
which aid would be freely proffered The
sentiment once expressed by Edward Everett
that he knew of no cause for which he woulC
more cheerfully shoulder his musket than t.
put down servile Instruction, is echoed
by the heart OF many man who has derded
him for its utterance. Whatever might be
the relations between the north and the south
at such moment they would be brothers
In such view of the case, with the separa
ton OF the slave from the free states, mus
come the end of slavery. The fate of the in
stitution is sealed from that day. Its lease o
life can not endure beyond ten, perhaps five
| years. On the correctness of this view, hang,
the whole question which has SO long yexet
our national councils.
Notwithstanding all that has been said to the
contrary, this idea is spreading through the
South. 1t is permeating the country anC
producing the apparent reaction perceivablt
even in South Carolina. In the Union they
see that the reign of proslavery is overland
they fear that as anti-savery takes its place
the gradual though peaceful extinction Of tht
institution is decreed. Out of the Union, they
see it must have speedy, a violent, and
bloody death. But they hope, by trightenin,
the North, to obtain such guarantees as shall
ensure the longest possible lease to the perma
nency of their system. But they may hav,
asserted the fidelity Of their slaves, till they
| believe il themselves In that case thpv vii
60 on as they have commenced, till they hav
learned the opposite by horrible experience.
ROCHESTER.