Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-25
SLAVERY AND THE WAR.

The institution OF slavery is at the bottom
of all the troubles that now affiict the country.
Its terrible influence on the white men of the
slave states has made il possible for treason to
get such a following there, and cause such dis
orders Slavery is wrong every way but III
no respect is il more disastrous than in its in
fluence on the temper, habits, and general
character Of the white men where the insIltu-
ton exists. Ignorance arrogance, insubordl'
nation. and countless barbarisms, are It's natu-
raj fruits. If there were no slavery IN tue
land. there would be no such men as JEFF DAVIS
Toombs, Mason, Rhett, Yancey, and the rest of
that crew of couspirators, and no such material
for their use as the southern vigilance com
mittees," "Knights of the Golden Circle" and
all the rest of those organizations OF barbarous
bowie knife rowdyism, by means OF which the
secession reign of terror was established
II is not surprising that there is in the coun-
try a very earnest desire to see this dangerous
institution destroyed. Republican institutions
are not safe where slavery is tolerated. 1t Is
one of their most brutal and persistent enemies,
and therefore they have RICH: to destroy 1t,
must do SO in fact in self defence. 1t works
against tree institutions in two ways; hrst by
promoting such ignorance and such grave de-
fects o. character, and such condition OF social
weakness and disorder as units men for them;
and secondly, by wagug an arrogant and saw
age warfare against the ideas on which repuO-
lican institutions are founded. 1t is an enemy
and ought to be annihila.ed'
And the institution of slavery will be de-
stroyed, not by any direct decree OF the gov"
eminent or action of the army, perhaps, but
indirectly by the necessary operation OF tue
agencies so actively at work in this struggle
The laws by which human affairs are reguIat-
ed are silent and sure. Without noise, With
out ostentatious proclamation, without COM
mittees, conventions, or petitions, they WORK
with resstess force. They make it certain
that slavery can get nothing but harm in this
conflict Petition is made to congress by ear
nest men and women for the initiation OF some
measure by which slavery may be brought to
an end some plan for buying the slaves, or
for removing the evil by other means, 1t is
not to say or predict how or when its end will
come but tile bad institution is doomed by
laws far higher and more certain of execution
than those of congress.
John Quincy Adams, speaking of what
might be done to meet civil war successful
ly, said, "the war power of the government
can sweep this institution into the gulf. An(
this is the only constitutional method by whicl
the government can reach the chattel SLAYER.
that exists in the state; and no patrio
can hesitate when the choice is betwee
slavery and our free institutions. We mus
save our government and preserve the nation
and ii to do this it shall become necessary I
destroy the institution of slavery, let it be don
swiftly and with shouts and hymns of JOY
Time will show what may be necessar
We are all habitualy quite as torbea
ing and tender towards the accursed thinl
as decent regard to wisdom and justice wi
allow, perhaps more SO. As this conflict goe
on, circumstances are likely to have stronl
effect on this habit of our people, and to set il
motion such influences and agencies as vii
bring this chattel slavery to sudden and hope
less destruction.