New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-18
BAYARD TAYLOR AND MODERN VIRGINIA
CHRISTIANS.


To he Editor Of The N y. TIibvHe
SIR: The correspondence published in the THE
TRIBUNE of to-day, between Mr.. Howison of Rich
mond Va and Bayard Taylor, has produced some
painful reflections upon the demorazng effects of the
"pecuar institution upon the minds of intelligent and
enlightened men.
Mr.. Robert X. Howison, an intelligent lawyer of
Richmond, acting as Chairman of a Young Mems
Christian Association of that city, dissolves contract
with Mr. Taylor to lecture there because as he first
alleges, of the supposed opposition of Mr. Taylor to
Slavery as ii exists in Virginia The other reason,
which we all know to be cant, Will not notice
here
When compare, as have within the last half hour,
this letter by Mr. Howison, with the concluding pages
of the second volume of his History Of Virginia,
published in Richmond only twelve years ago, am
amazed at the change which circumstances have
wrought in the mind of the author within that time.
And ] also am surprised that his book If known in
virginia. shoud not be burned by the common hang
man. for this secoud volume is full Of "ncendary doc
trnes" such as "the robber and murderer, John
Brown, has preached. He says, on page 5l7:
I" The last and most important cause unfavoraby al
fecting Virginia, which shall mention, If the exist
ence of Slarery within her bounds We have already
seen the origin and progress OF this institution AS TO
it's evils have nothing new TO Offer they have been
felt and acknowledged by the most sagacous minds In
our State"
He then quotes from an address of Dr. Runer to the
people Of Western Virginia, showing that Slavery is
injurious TO the public welfare and be commends the
address exhibiting CLOSE reasoning and impressive
reflection" DIR. Ruffner quoted by Howison says:
Ii is the common remark of all who have travelled
through the United States that the Free Safes AM the
Slave States exhibit striking contrast in their appear
In the older Free States are seen all the tokens
of prosperity dense and increasing population; thirty
ing villages, towns and cities neat ard productive
agriculture growing manufactures, and active COM
merce. In the older parts Of the Slave States with
few local exceptions seen, on the contrary, too
evident signs of stagnaton, or OF positive decay
sparse population eovenly cultivation, spread over
vast fields that wearing out among others already
worn out and deeoate; villages and towns lew and
far between, rarely growing, often decaying, some
times mere remnants of what they were, sometimes
deserted ruins haunted only by owls; generally no
manufactures nor trades, except the ndspensa-
bic few commerce and navigation abandoned, as Tar
possible 10 the people Of the Free States and gen.
orally instead of the stir and hustle Of industry, dull
and dreary Stiffness broken if broken at all, only BY
the wordy brawl politics"
Did Wendell Phillips or Parker Pillsbury ever draw
more graphic picture of the effects Of Slavery upon
the States that cherish il.
On page $40, Mr.. Howison says:
We apprehend that in general the people of Vr
Rina hold Slavery TO be enormus evil bearing with
fatal power upon their prosperity This sentiment has
been gaining ground during many years. Within
verv short time past citizen Of East Virginia lJames
G. Bruce of Halifax, intelligent highly educated, and
posseesed of great wealth in this species Of property,
has spoken out plainly and urged owners IN our State
70 Gel nd of their slaves as rapidly possible. And
D West Virginia expressions Of opinion have been even
more decided. and incpent means have been adopted
70 provide for the gradual destruction OF the evil"
Surely, the Young Mems Christian Association Of
Richmond ought to examine their Chairman with lynx
eyed scrutiny touching his orthodoxy on the Slave
question, as expounded by the learned Ra6ei oil the
Modern Church He is an Aboltonist OF the most OBJ
noxious stamp in the eyes Of Governor Wise and The
Richmond Examiner.
Touching tie question: Of frsedos Of thsusht IN 70