The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-25
CHRISTIANITY AND PATRIOTISM.
LETTER FROM REV. DIR. FULLER, or BALTIMORE
From the Boston Courierl


From the Boston Courier
The Rev. DR.. Fuller, of Baltimore. hay.
Ing expressed his appreciation OF the speech
OF Mr. Everett, that gentleman, in reply, re.
qnested some information from DR.. F., as tC
the general effect on the condition Of the
slaves, OF the agitation of the subject of sla.
very as IT has been carried on for some year:
past The subjoined answer to this inquiry
addressed to Mr. E.. was sent by DR.. Fuller
through common friend, by whom We have
been permitted to publish it:
To ths Hon. Ed,ead Eperen.
My Dear Sir-Perhaps too much impor.
ltance has been attached to that insane out,
break 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 man, observe this
without amazement aud alarms know the
friends OF our common country are mistaken
when they complain that the grand Union
demonstrations in Boston and other cities
have not been duly appreciated here and
elsewhere. They have gladdened all true
American hearts; they have brought tears to
many eyes; and called multitudes to say
We'll done, good and faithful servants
Still. while melpbers are elected to Con-
gress, who openly avow their hostility to the
South, il is lille 10 expect too much confidence
IN any assurances OF fraternal affection pro-
claimed IN popular assemblies, no matter
with what sincerity and enthusiasm. read
your noble address with delight. | looked
at that touching picture, " The last days of
Webster" aud exclaimed, o, for one note
of that clarion voice now !" But the saulh
could wish IT, hear what the Massachusetts,
Senators and Representatives say. Would
they avow these patriotic sentiments; Could
they speak as you did, without iorfeiting their
placess
/ Here. in this city, and over this land North
aud South, fear we are feeing-and will
experience still more mourniulIy-the wis.
dom Of this prophetic warning, once uttered
by Mr.. Burke: When bad men combine,
good men must associate, else they will fall
one BY one. an unpltied sacrifice in a con.
temptibe struggle"
The question you propose | can answer
confidently for, in leaving the bar and en-
tering the ministry. had intended to devote
myself entirely 10 the instruction Of the slaves
IN South Carolina. For some lime coaiia-
ed myself to that mission, and found every.
where among masters a prompt and active
cooperation. rrue, there were laws forbid
ding the negroes to assemble without Ger.
tain number 81 white persons; but violated
that law most industrlously /: meeting th0us.
ands from different plantations ard preach.
ing 10 them. This would not be allowed
nov. Another statute, forbidding any one
TO teach the negroes TO read. was treated
with as little regard. In almost every family
servants learned to read-some of them in
my own household, not only reading, but
writing much better hand than their mas
ter. Indeed such was the general prejudice
against this latter enactment. that, in an adj.
dress on the religious instruction of slaves.
prepared al the request Of the South Carroll.
"a Agricultural Society, | strongly urged its
repeal. Just about that time an attempt was
made to abuse the mail BY circulating incendi.
AIRY works, and | was thus compelled to with
draw that portion Of the addrPss-the presi-
dent Of the society, Gov. Seabrook, most
brnesoient gentlem4n, producing these pam.
phleis, and insisting that the law was necessa-
~ Tor the protection Of the slaves themselves.
10 June lS4j, there assembled in Charles
ton body OF men, representing almost all
the wisdom and wealth Of South Carolina.
There we're present, also, delegates from
Georgia. and, believe, from other States.
IL was meeting Of the association for TIE
improvement, moral and religious. Of tie
slave population. The venerable Judge Hu.
ger presided. Having been appointed to al.
dress that fargo and noble audience. I did
not hesitate to speak my whole mind. ap.
peallng to masters to initiate tie AniOHines
and other magBsnimOus Roman Emperors.
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 as
serts for servants as well masters. In a
sofd, pressed upon them the solemn obIiga-
lions which their power over these human
beings Imposed upon them obligations only
The more sacred, because their power was 20
That august assembly not only honOred
me With their attention, but expressed their
approval, the presiding officer concurring
most emphstically IN the views submitted.
need scarcely tell you that no such al
dress would be regarded as wise, or prudent
At tbs time. II Is not that masters are less
engaged in seeking TO promote The moral and
religions wrll.being Of their servants: but
measures which once could have been adop.
ted most benefieislly would now only expose
master and servant TO the banelul influence
u ianaties intermeddling.
u anything ~ certsin, u il, that the Cos.
pei does not recognize hatred. sbu.e, violence
sud blood as the means by which good is TO
be done. The Gospel is system Of love.
Il assails no established social relations, bu,
i infuses love into the hearts Of those who
ire bound together, and thus unites them III
affection. II the Gospel is to emancipats
'lasrs. il will be, not by lnsurteetioa and
Massacre, but by 1--we which will melt off
heir bonds. Let the spirit u the New Tes.
ament triumph, and all wrath and anger
nd bitterness will cease. The South and
he North will tremendously consult a. Ia
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