Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-02
1The question of the abolition Of slavery is upon
"a - Union and Ameican, February 27th. 1861.


for virtue of female is 10 destroy it. To guess
ton the moral right or to moot the economic pro-
priety Of species Of property so sensitive as that
Of slavery, in the bOsomof community, majority
Of the members Of which do not possess an imme
date personal interest in it, is greatly to impair its
security-to depreciate its vaue-and to initiate the
means for its destruction. Our principles and our
sentiments alike disdneline to the discussion OF
subjects fraught with such consequences Let those
engage who WILL and let a candid and dispassionate
public decide whether those who do, or hose who
do not participate 10 such discussions are the better
friends TO the peculiar institution and TO the peace
of the society in which it exists. Bonner
We know not which is matter of greatest surprise
the opinion expressed by the Banner that the ques-
ton of abolitionsm not upon us" or that other
opinion that, "to question the moral right, or 10
moot the economic propriety of species OF proper
ty so sensitive as that of slavery in the bosom OF
community, majority Of the members OF '0a'oa 40
not possess an immediate personal interest N H. Is
greatly to impair its security-to depreciate us
value and to initiate the means OF Its dlsuncuon-
If the question of the abolition of slavery is not
now upon u.s. what it pray that at pr esent agates
the country from centre to circumference
what's il that has already driven seven States out
of the Union?
What was it that induced meetings throughout
the State to request the Governor to convene the
Legislature and suggested the cali of convention?
What was it that induced the SO called Peace
Conference at Washington!
What was it that gave to ABRAHAM LINCOLN the
overwhelming vote of Northern States in the late
Presidential election?
What is it that has brought the free and slave
States to the very verge of civil war;
What, but the declaration of LINCOLN and SEWARD
that there exists between freedom and slavery
irrepressible conflict which viii endure until al
eeer save endorsed with fanatical Juror by resist
less majority of the Northern people, what but the
declaration Of the Chicago platform of the equality
of al men; what but the avowal by the President
elect that the public mind would never rest content
until was satisfied that slavery in the of
ultimate extinction that they who deny freedom to
others do not themselves deserve it, and under
just God cannot long retain it. What but the ncess
ant war that has been waged for years past by the
Nerth, in their school rooms in their newspapers,
in their literary Journals their pulpit in the hus
tngs, in legislative assemblies, in every possible
and conceivable way by which the public mind
could be reached aided by British gold and British
influence in Parliament. and in diplomacy? What
but these things Threatening the institution of slave
~, intertwined as it is with all the interests Of
Southern society produced the present state Of
discord and alarm, that has already rent in twain
that Union which we have been taught TO love with
an almost idolatrcus devotion and which threatens
the remaining States with calamities, the bare
temptation of which makes the stoutest heart shud
der7
In opinion it is the question of the abolition
of slavery and nothing else of comparative magni-
tude, which is no0, Now at his Uery moment upon us
1t is true that the outposts have be taken before
the citadel is reached.
1t was but few short months since, that the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution was offered in the
the House Of Representatives by Mr.. BLAKE, of
Ohio:
WHEREAS The chattellzing of humanity and the
holding OF persons property, is contrary natu
raj justice and the fundamental principles of our
political system. and is nationally reproach to
country throughout the civilized world, and
serious hndranee TO the progress of republi-
can liberty among the nations of the earth There
fore,
RESOLVED, That the Committee on the Judiciary be-
and the hereby, instructed to inquire into
the expediency of reporting bill giving freedom to
every human being, and interdcting slavery where
Congress has the Constitutional power TO legis-
late on the subject.
And upon call of the ayes and noes it received
sixty affirmative votes,
A few weeks past, during the setting of the
Kentucky Legislature, correspondent of one of
the Cincinnati Black Republican papers, writing
from Frankfort, Kentucky, SAID:
If the bill for Convention is passed the ques-
ton of Emancipation will be thrown open aud if
there ever was time when the question could be
carried in Kentucky, this viii be the time.
And but the other, day-the ink is scarcely yet
dry upon the record of Congressional proceeding
Mr.. MoKEoN, of Pennsylvania, introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
WHEREAS, The Gulf States have assumed to secede
from the Union, and il is deemed important to pre-
vent the Border Slave States from following their
example; and whereas it is believed that those who
are infexibly opposed to any measure of comprO-
mise or concession that involves a sacrifice of prn-
ciple or the extension of Slavery, would neverthe
less cheerfully concur in any lawful measure for
the emancipation of the slaves; therefore
ReSOlUed. That the Select Committee of Five be
instructed TO inquire whether by the of the
people, or of tie State Governments or by COM
pensatiDg the Shareholders it be practicable for the
General Government to procure the emancipation
of the slaves in some all of the Border States
and if so to report bill for that purpose"
The subject, for want of time, NAV not be acted
on during the present session of Congress. But in
view Of the fact that at the session there will
be in both houses of Congress decided msjorities
hostile to slavery who will dare say that the ones
ton will not be directly precptated upon US as one,
from mere motives of expediency, it is postponed
a little longer?
Instead Of throwing broad sides into the ranks of
that gallant and patriotic band Of Southerners,
who have been driven to seek shelter from the fury
of Northern anatcism, in secession would it not be
more in accordance with the dictates of prudence to
turn the batteries upon the enemy, whose policy if
not arrested, will bring upon our homes and our
domestic fresdes ere long, all the horrors of St.
Domingo.
From the dome Of the capitol there still floats the
stars and stripes. But in the secret chambers of
the department of State, of the navy, of war, of
the home department, Of the treasury, Of the post
Office, and above all, of the white house itself, there
floats the broad black banner of sbotionism, while
our standing army, commanded by an able, but
vain glorious old chiefain, stands ready to coerce
the obedience of recalctrant States at the bidding
of fanatical Chief Magistrate
How long shall we wait before we begin TO set
our house in order, to warn our fellow citizens of
the dangers that over them shall it be until
m infuriate mob of Helpers is laundering at our
doors Shall it be till the cries of our women and
children are stifed by the cracking flames of our
dwellings fired by the Browns and Montgomerys?
are we deaf that we hear not blind that
we see not the storm that is ready to burst over
our heads! Admonished as we are in thousand
WAYS shall we like ancient Rome. still slumber and
depend for safety upon the cackling of geese to
arouse us to a sense of the dangers to which we
are exposed by the enemy! Or shall we listen
with uuaking heart to the fatal beresy, that, to
question the moral right, or to moot the enconomc
propriety of species of property so sensitive as
that Of slavery in the bosom of a community,
majority Of the members of which do not pos ess
an immediate personal interest in it, greatly TO
impair its security to depreciate its value, and to
initiate the means for its future destruction
IT, indeed, it be true that it is no longer safe ito