The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-29


distinguished clergyman of the Southern States,
was written in reply to an inquiry from Hon.
Edward Everett, as to the effect of recent anti
slavery movements upon the condition of the
slaves in the Southern States:
Fromihe Boston Courier.
BALTIMORE, Monday, Dec. 10.
To the Hon. Ed,cdrd Euereft:-1iy Dear
SIR: Perhaps toomuch Importance has been at
tached to that insane outbreak of fanaticism at
Harper's Ferry; but the sympathy with such
deed of violence and blood, which has been
manifested at the North-can any patriot, any
good Ean, observe this without anazement and
alarm? know the friends tds our common
country are mistaken when shey complain that
the grand Union demonstration at Boston and
other cities have not been duly appreciated here
and elsewhere. They have gladdened all true
American hearts; they have brought ears to
many eyes; and caused multitudesto say, t'we!l
done, good and faithful servants"
Still, whilo members are elected to Congress
who openly avow hostility to the South, it is
idle to expect too much confidence in any oc-
currences of fraternal affection proclaimed in
popular assemblies, no matter with what sin
cerity and enthusiasm I read your noble ad-
dress with delight. sI looked at that touching
picture, s.The last days of Webster" and ex-
claimed-"Oh, for one note of that clarion
voice now" But the South could wish to hear
what the Massachusetts, senators and represent
atives say. Would they avow these patriotic
sentiment? Could they speak as you did with
out forfeiting their places
Here, in this city, and over this land North
and South, I fear we are feeEng-and will ex-
perience still more mournfully-the wisdom of
this prophetic warming, once uttered by Mr..
Burke: ssWhen bad men combine, good men
al, -
unpitied sacrifice in contemplate strug-
gle."
The question you propose can answer conf
IDENTIFY; for in leaving the bar and entering the
ministry, had intended to devote myself en-
tirely to the instruction of the slaves in South
Carolina. For some time [ confined myself to
that mission, and found everywhere among
masters prompt and active co-operation.-
True, there were laws forbidding the negroes to
assemble without certain number of white
persons; but 1 violated that law most iudustri-
ously, meeting thousands from different planta-
tons and preaching to them. This would not
be allowed now. Another statute, forbidding
any one to teach the negroes to read, was treat
ed with as little regard. In almost every FAM
lily servants learned to read, some of them in
my own household, not only reading, but wri-
ting q much better hand than their MASTER
Indeed, such was the general prejudice against
this latter enactment, that, In an address on
the religious instruction of slaves, prepared at
the rennnet of the Sn.L- -Cecrol;..s aerricnltnral
society, 1 strongly urged its repeal. just
about that time, an attempt was made to abuse
the mail by circulating incendiary works, and
I was thus compelled to withdraw that portion
of the address-the president of the society,
Gov. Seabrook, most benevolent gentleman
producing these pamphlets and insisting that
the law was necessary for the protection of the
slaves themselves.
In June, 1915, there assembled in Charles
ton body of men, representing almost all the
wisdom and wealth of South Carolina. There
were present, also, delegates from Georgia, and,
I believe, from other States 1t was meeting
of the association for the Improvement, moral
and religious, of the slave population. The
venerable judge Huger presided. Havingbeen
appointed tc address that large and noble audi
ence, 1 Id not hesitate to speak my whole
mind, appealing to masters to initiate the An
TONNES and other magnanimous Roman empe-
rors, to become the guardians of their slaves;
to have laws enacted protecting them in their
relations as husbands and wives and parents;
to recognize the rights which the gospel asserts
for servants as we'll as masters. In word
pressed upon them the solemn obligations which
their power over these human beings imposed
upon them-obligations only the more sacred,
because their power was so irresponsible.
That august assembly not only honored me
with their attention, but expressed theirappro-
val, the presiding officer concurring most en-
phatically in the views submitted.
need scarcely tell you that no such address
would be regarded wise or prudent at this
time 1t is not that masters are less engaged
in seeking to promote the moral and religious
well-being of their servants but measures
which once could have been adopted most ben
e6cially would now only expose master and
servant to the painful influence of fanatical in
....-.,
IF anything is certain, it is that the gospel
does not recognize hatred, abuse, violence and
blood as tic means by which good is to be done.
The gospel is system of love. 1t assails no
established and social relations, but it infuses
love into the hearts of those who are bound to-
gether, and thus unites them in affection. If
the gospel is to emancipatc slaves, it will be,
not by insurrection and massacre, but by love
which will melt off their bonds. Let the spirit
Of the New Testament triumph, and all wrath
and anger and bite. ness will cease The
South and the North will harmoniously consult
as to the best interests of the Africans now in
our midst; and masters will seek to promote
the best welfare of those who have been COM
mitted to their care.
think 1 speak accurately when say, that
slaves, has been made by southern men; and
many hundred thousands of dollars have been
expended in such liberations. The North has
wasted large sums for abolition books and lee
lures; addresses calculated to inhame the imag
nations of women and children. and to mis-
lead multitudes of men-most excellent and |
pious-but utterly ignorant as to the condition !
of things at the South. We now find, indeed, |
that money has been contributed even for the
purchase of deadly weapons to be employed
against the South, and to enlist the most fero-
cious passions to secret crusades, compared
with which an open invasion by foreign enc
mics would be ablessing 1 believe, however,
that not one cent has yet been given to set on
foot-or even to encourage when proposed
any plausible enterprise for the benefit of the
slave. @ ip9.i4 4iaa.7 =
In the Providence of God some Of these peo-
pie have been placed under my care. My re-
sponsibilities have pressed heavily upon me;
nor have failed to seek from God, and from