Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-21

still contributing to Advance the Of fertilization
though If Vo please hGCiHg is origin IN individual ea-
lidity stall tcOrkiRg out general good yet slavery
and az It's bfieRt results is pronounced against the
will of God by those who claim superior illumination
upon the subject This nav be but must say that
this conclusion so confidently announced is not arrived
in accordance with the Baconan method OF reasoning
by which taught, that from great many partcu
lar and well established facts in the physical economy, we
may safely dednce general law of physical nature ana
so Of morals and government IL seems to my weak
faculties that il il rather arrogant aud presumptuous
arragnmen of the ways of Providence mysterious as we
know them 10 be for feeble to declae that that
which has been permitted TO exist and prosper from the
beginning among and nations is contrary to his will
But whoever has studied much purpose the history
of ciyz ton the progress of society," the laws and gov
erument have perceived that certain abstract or
theore;c truths whether in civil religious policy, have
been aud can only, with safety TO the ultimate ends OF
Al societies and governments be uufolded by degrees
and adjusted every step according TO the advance oil
society from its infancy, a higher civilization and
more enlightened comprehensive such as the equality
OF natural rights and privileges the rights OF segovern
and freedom of speech and opinion Ihese general
truths though they cannot be successfully contro
M this dav vet as thew have been seldom admitted in
their length and BREADTH in the practical operations OF
government with success, some lawgvers have been led
to DENY that they founded in reason and when these
truths have at any time been suddenly embraced by the
controlling minds among people, the misfortune has been
L
To the actual condition Of the people who to be af-
ected aud hence they have far failed of success in
some Of the most highly civilized nations OF Europe
But il is TO the point TO refer TO the emancipation
Of the slaves of St Domingo; one OF the first explosive
effects of the sudden recognition of the rights of man by
the French people. IL would be difficult to demonstrate,
az this day that the cause of humanity Of human pro-
greSs has been in the slightest degree promoted by the
abolition of slavery in that most fertile and beautiful Is
land. 1t is believe now pretty well understood that
l Ri n he
West India emancipation forced upon them by ianatcal
reformers. They driven adopt sentiment, in-
stead of practical truth the foundation of a radical
change in the social condition OF people who were not
prepared appreciate profit by it, Even the reior-
nation in religion and church government, which COM
menced three centuries ago in the opinion OF many
of the profound enqurers has failed OF that COM
pete success which ought TO have aended for the rea-
son that the general truths and principles upon which 1t
was founded we're applied in excess The Jealous cham
pons of reform in throwing aside all observances which
affect the senses and in sprualzing too much there Is
TO believe, have stayed the progress OF rational
and substantial reform and checked the spread OF reli-
cous restraints upon the evil passions of men, But this
is a delicate subject, and must forbear.
These examples may show that there certain alb
sract truths and principles which however inconrover
tibe in themselves like every other good thing may be
and often misconceyed and abused in their sppca-
ton. Il the business OF statesmen TO apply them with
safety and TO give them the utmost practical influence
and effect consistent with the existing state of society.
The most beautiful illustration OF this sentiment and the
most striking example of the superiority OF practical
truth over theoretc ayoms in the formation OF govern
ment to be found in all history, and which claims
the special attention OF the people Of this country at this
moment exhibited by ancestors, when, with their
own recognition of the abstract truth of the equality Of
natural rights still vibrating on their tongues they yet
carlesly their seals covenant Of union between
the States with express recognition of African slave
~ | say express recognition OF African slavery, be-
whatever the jesuJca doctors Of the North may
say the clauses in the Constitution relating 70 the mpor
ton of persons under such circumstances and fixing
the basis Of direct taxes and representation in Congress
atirm do amount 70 an express RECOGNITION Of slavery