Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-10-09

civilization though if you please, having its or
| igin in individual cupidity, still mysteriously
| working out general good yet slavery and all
its beneficial results are pronounced to be against
the will of God, by those who claim superior
illumination upon this subject. This may be so
but must say that this conclusion, SO conf
IDENTIFY announced, is aot arrived at in accord
ance with the Baconian method of reasoning, by
which we are taught that from great many
particular and wellestablished facts in the phys
ical economy we may safely deduce general
law of physical nature; and so of morals and
government. 1t seems to my weak faculties,
that it is rather an arrogant and pres1mptuous ar
raignment of the ways of Providence, mysteri-
Gus as we know them to be, for feeble man to
declare, that that which has beer permitted to
exist and prosper from the beginning among
men and nations, is contrary to its will.
rHEoRETIo NOTIONS ABOUT SLAVERY OPPOSED TO
PRACTICAL TRUTHS.
But whoever has studied the history of civili-
zation, the progress Of society-of laws and
government-must have perceived, that certain
abstract or theoretic truths, whether in civil or
religious policy, had been and can only with
safety to the ultimate ends of all societies and
governments be unfolded by degrees, and adjust
Cd at every step, according to the advance of So
ciety from its infancy to higher civilization
and more enlightened comprehension, such as
the equality OF natural rights, self-government,
of freedom of speech and opinion. These gene
raj truths, though they cannot be successfully
controverted at this day, yet, as they have sell
dom been admitted, in their length and breadth,
into the practical operations OF government,
with success, and some law-givers have been led
to deny that they are founded on reason and
when they have, at any time, been suddenly en-
hroo I'D hx,f ft,o
pie, the misfortune has been that they were ap-
piled in excess, and without due regard to the
actual condition of the people who were to be
affected; and hence they have, so far, failed OF
success in some OF the most highly civilized ma.
tioDs of Europe. But it is more to the point to
refer to the emancipation of the slaves of st. Do
mingO; one of the explosive effects of the sud-
den recognition of the rights of man by the
French people,
1. RFFECT OF ABOLITION IN ST. DOMINGO.
1t would be difficult to demonstrate at this
day, that the cause of humanity, or of human
progress. has been in the slightest degree pro-
NOTED by the abolition of slavery in that fertile
and beautiful island. Itis, believe now pretty
well understood that British statesmen commit
ted an error in the policy of West India emanci-
pation forced upon them by fan8tical reformers.
They were driven to adopt a sentiment, instead
Of a practical truth, as the foundation of radical
change in the social condition of the people who
were not prepared either to appreciate or profit
by 1t. Even the reformation in religion and
church government, commenced some three cen
turtles ago, in the opinion of many of the most
profound inquirers, has failed of that complete
success which ought to have attended it, for the
reason that the general truths and principles up
on which it was founded were applied in excess.
The Jealous champions of reform, in throwing
aside all ceremonies and observances which af-
feet the senses, aud in spirtualising too much,
there is reason to believe, have stayed the pro-
gress of substantial reform, and checked the
spread Of religious restraints upon the evil pas
sions of men. But this is delicate subject, and
| must forbear. aGl
SLAVERY RECOGNIZED AND ESTABLISHED BY OUR
ANCESTORS.
These examples may show that there are GER
tain abstract truths and principles which, how
ever incontrovertible, in themselves, like every
other good thing, may be, and often are miscOn-
ceived and abused in their application. Its the
business of statesmen, in every country to apply
them with the utmost practical influence and eff
feet consistent with the existing state of society
The most interesting illustration of this senti-
ment, and the most striking example of the su-
periority of practical truth over theoretc axloms
III luo ioTulation VI SoveTHmeui, W Oe Iouuu III
all history-and which claims the special atten-
ton of the people of this country with safety,
and to give them at this moment-was exhibited
by our ancestors when, with their own recogni-
tion OF the abstract truth of the equality Of nat
ural rights still vibrating on their tongues they
yet fearlessly set their seals to covenant of un-
Ion between these States, containing an express
recognition of slavery. / say express recogni-
tion, because, whatever the jesuitical doctors of
the North may say, the clauses in the Constitu-
ton relating to the importation of persons, nm
der certain limitations, and fixing the basis of
direct taxes and representation in Congress, |
affirm do amount to an erpress recognition Of
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