Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-29


changing condition of both slave and master, and still
under advancing civilization, until comparatively
period see the institution tolerated and
maintained in eastern Europe at this day. see the ma
tive Of all British India, at this moment, bowng
the neck under system Of quasieliyery. But above
ALL have seen here on this continent, and in these
Urited States the original lords of the oil subdued-
some Of them subdued to slaves Others expelled driven
out and the remnant still held in subordiuaon and oil
this under Interpretation Of q law Of nature, vii
holds good at this day among our Northern brethren
and have yet in reserve that great fact to which
have already alluded-hrce millions Of the African
whose labor Is subject TO the will OF masters under such
circumstances that their condition be changed,
though their masters should will it, without destruction
alike TO the interests and welfare Of both and
slaves. These the lights, by which read and inter
| pref the law OF nature.
THE GREATNESS OF TIE COUNTRY OWING TO SLAVERY.
Nov, sir, permit me TO say few words upon the el
ecs Of this institution upon the country which Oerates
IT, To the great fact to which have more than once
alluded cenjoned with the system Of equal laws which
brought to these shores, perfected and
consolidated at the Revolution, and by the adoption Of
the present form of the Union, are indebted the
world Is indebted for that other great phenomenon In
the history of the rise and progress OF nations aphenom
enon, in all its bearing not yet fully comprehended by
the nations OF the Old World even by ourseves and
which, Ia all future time will be the study and admira-
ton of the historian and philosopher mean not the
founding of republic these shores, so recently the
abode only Of savage aud nomadic tribes but its
ing growth aud development; its magicike spring. from
small beginnngs-risng as il were by single effort,
by elastic bound, into all the attributes of first
rate power; great republican empre-abe not only to
maintain its rights of sovereignty and independence, by
land and sea- against hostile world; but at the same
time by its example, shaking to their foundations the
despotc powers Of the earth; great incorporation Of
freedom dispensing its blessings TO all mankind Sir
the tabled birth of Minerva leapng in full panopy from
the head Of Jove if truth and fiction, would scarce
y be wonderful, greater mystery, without the
clue which African slavery furnishes for the solution OF
| it,
So making all due allowance for American enterprise
aud the energies of free labor with all the inspiring adj
vantages OF favorte system Of government doubt
whether the power and OF this country would
have attained than half their present extraordinary
proportions but for this so much reved institution OF
slavery Sir your rich and varied commerce, external
aud INTERNAL your navigation your commercial marine,
the nursery of tho military; your ample revenues; the
public credit your manufactures; your rich, popuous
and splendid ctieS-a all may trace to this institution
the ceSDring Of their present gigantic proportions;
nourshed aud built up their present amazing height
and grandeur by the finest staples OF the Souh-the pro-
| ducts of slave labor.
SLAVERY IN ACCORDANCE THE LAWS OF NATURE AND
| OF GOD AND ADVANCING THE CAUSE CIVILIZATION.
Yet slavery, in every form in which 1t has existed
from the primitive period of organized society from its
earliest and patriGrcha form this time in every quar-
ter OF the globe-and all It's resuts-even the magni-
cent result OF African slavery in the United States are
declared 10 be against the law OF nature InOugh con-
Irbutng in hundred varied forms and modes, through
period of thousands OF years, the amelioraon Of
the condition Of mankind generally; though sometimes
abused and perverted AZ all human Institutions even
those of religion are-sll contributing to advance the
of civilization; though, If you please, having its
origin in individual cupidity, still mysterousy working
general good; yet slavery and all its beneficial
suits pronounced TO be against the will Of God by
those who claim superior illumination upon the subject.
This may be bu; must say that this conclusion, so
confidently announced is not arrived at in accordance
with the Bac0nian method OF reasoning, by which we
taught that from great many particular aud well
tibished facts in the physical economy We may safely
deduce general law OF physical nature and so Of morals
and government IL to my weak faculties that it
is rather arrogant and presumpuous aTrgnment Of
the ways Of Providence mysterious as we know them TO
be- for feeble man to declare that that which has been
permitted TO exist and prosper from the beginning among
men and nations, is contrary to is will
TuEoRgrC NOTIONS sLAvgRY OPPOSED TO PRACTICAL
TRUTHS.
But whoever has studied the history OF civilization,
the progress of sociey-of laws and government-nuSt
have perceived that certain abstract lheOrec Tulhs
whether in civil or religious policy, had been and
only with safety 10 the ultimate ends OF all societies and
governments be uniolded by degrees and adjusted at
every STEP according to the advance OF society from is
infancy TO higher civilization and more enlightened
comprehension, such the equality OF natural rights,
selfgoyernment, OF freedom OF speech and opinion
These general truths though they cannot be successfully
y,
admitted in their length and BREADTH into the practical
operations Of government with success, aud some law
gyers have been led to deny that they founded
reason; aud when they have, at any time been suddenly
embraced by the controlling minds among people, the
misfortune has been that they applied in excess.
aud "IuuuL uue regard 10 the actual c0ud ion of the
people who be affected; aud hence they have so
far, failed OF success in some OF the most highly civil
zed nations OF Europe. But t is to the point to
refer to the emancipation of the slaves OF ST. Domingo
nj
| the rights OF man by the French people.
EFFECT GT ABOLITION N SAINT DOMINGO.
1t would be difficult TO demonstrate at this day, that
the cause of humanity, OF human progress has BEEN
IN the slightest degree, promoted by the abolition Of
slavery in that fertile and beautiful island 1t is be-
ieve now pretty well understood that British statesmen
committed an error in the policy Of West India emauC
patton, forced upon them by fanatca reforners They
were driven 10 adopt sentiment instead Of practical
truth the foun ation Of radical change in the social
condition Of the people, who prepared either
to appreciate or profit by t. Even the reformation in
religion and church government commenced some three
centuries ago, in the opinion OF many of the pro-
found inqurers has failed Of that complete
which ought TO have attended it, for the that tie
general truths and principles upon which founded
we're applied in excess The jealous champions of
form, in throwing aside all ceremoGies and 0hservinces
which affect the senses and in spritualiSing much
there reason to believe have stayed the progress of
subs anta reform and checked the spread of religious
restraints upon the evil passions of But this is
delicate subject, aud must forbear.
SLAVERY RECOGNIZED ESTABLISHED by OUR
ANCESTORS.
These examples may show that there are certain ab.
sract truths aud principles which, however incontovert
IDLE in themselves, like every other good thing, may be-
and often msconceived and abused in their applica
ton. 1t is the business Of statesmen in every country
apply them With the utmost practical influence and effect
consistent with the existing of society. The most
interesting illustration Of this sentiment, and the
striking example of the superiority Of practical truth over
theorec aXious, in the formation government 10 be
found in all history-and which claims the special aen-
ton Of the people Of this country with safety and give
them at this inoment-was exhibited to ancestors
when, with their recognition Of the abstract truth of
the equality OF natural rights still vibrating on their
tongues, they yet ieirlessy their seals covenant
OF union between these States containing express
coguon Of slavery. say express recognition because
whatever the esutca doctors of the North may say the
clauses in the Constitution relating the importation of
persons under certain limitations and fixing the basis Of
direct taxes aud representation in Congress- affirm do
amount to an express recognition Of sidyery.
Lst the People Read this.
81 An CONNECTED NO PARTY THAT HAS FOR ITS on.
TuE nj. Nnr II