New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-07

Postmaster; but if this proves negroes to be
horses, it also proves Isaac V. Fowler to be
horse. Senator Benjamin, if we may credit his
own statement, is about to run away, or has
already run away, from duties which he is sworn
to fulfill; but this does not prove him to be
horse, or even an ass, except fguratiyely; 1t
does not prove him so, if for no other reason,
because horses are incapable of committing per-
jury.
The late Senator from Louisiana and all slave
holding Senators, late or present, grieyously
blunder when they talk of slave IS property 10
n plain and unqualified way. They do not see
that it is the qualification in the mind of every
thinking person that saves them and their incon-
sistent chattel system from contempt and hatred
The South has lived for more than half a century
upon good naturcd Northern extenuations-upon
the prev alent desire to make out slaveholdlng
something better and different from man-holding,
wife-sellng, or child-stealing That is to say:
when philanthrOpists have talked of the auction
block philanthropists of another sort have talked
of the black mans beautiful cottage. When
honest men have objected to the Wholesale bas'
tardizng and exposure in market-overt OF the yell
low progeny of the planters, somebody always
stems in with an armfull of statistics to prove
that the poor blacks are greatly given to church
going. Many of these animals are illtreated 10
he snre. but numbers of them are indulgently
treated which proyes-that they are not animals
at all, Doctors Of Divinity and constitutional
lawyers. out Of the Bible, out OF the Pandects,
have labored to convince us that Slavery is so
cal system pleasing to God, the regenera'e
heart, and political common sense. We nave
heard times without number, from uncounted
pnlpts, that the slave is member OF society,
which, in spite of Mr.. Benjamin's lsraelitish pro-
test we declare that property" never is and never
can be. If Slavery is social relation, then 1t Is
not system Of property Southern philosophers
and Northern sycophants may choose between
the two theories; but they are not entitled to
the benefit of both, because the two are abso-
lutely incompatible.
If then Slavery be considered as mere social
relation, the whole plea for equality OF privileges
in the Territories falls to the ground Mr. Ben
jamn has undoubtedly right to emigrate TO
Kansas; but it does not follow that he has
right to carry there the social relations of Lou
isiana. He might IA well insist upon taking with
him Mr.. Liyingstons Code or the Municipal
Law of New-Oreans. Suppose gambling-hels
and bawdy.houses are licensed in the Crescent
City; does it follow that faro and prostitution
will be legal in Nebraska These illustrations
NAV be thought impote, and 80 let us offer 9th
ers. Mr.. Benjamin may be married Off he il not
already married) in certain way at home;
would he have a right to be married IN the same
way in Oregon Polygamy is, or was recently,
iust az firmly established in Utah as Slavery is IN
South Carolina; may Brigham Young then, go to
housekeeping in this city with his nmety-and-
nine wives Property is everywhere protected by
the comfy of civilized nations. Can Mr. Benjamin,
therefore, fog paddle and pickle his negro In iuli
conyentiele at Exeter HALF Piracy was for
many years a social institution OF AlgIers; man
eating was the same in NewZealand; but IN no
Christian waters did the corsnir swim with I'M
punity. and in no Christian market would the
tatto,d epicure have found Spring babies for his
table.
Slavery being social relation-and it can be
nothing else--tbe slave cannot be regarded mere
" as q beast. No man holds social relations
certainly not in this part of the country-with
his hog or his donkey. If they prefer such
swinsh or Osinine company in Louisiana, we are
quite free to say that it is none OF our business,
aud one Of those questions Of taste about which
there can be no dispute. If Mr.. Benjamin likes
u theory which may make things his cousins,
goods his unces, and ehGtteis his aunts, We wish
him JOY Of his family, and 80 leave him; with
our hearty protest, Notwithstanding, against such
Circean transmogri6cations in yet untainted
Commonwealth.