, 1861-10-04

It would moi In any reapect be depopu1ated OF
<tmpoyerIshed, but would be In the Why Of
more rapid increase ef its population, and Of
I4haf wealth which constitutes thataal strength
,tie1t would 30 IN no respect rainoua, or even
Injurious TO the Southern statea themselves,
hut would be 4 feal advantage to them, and
eecure them s&ter the pesce all the real great
Htaes strength md prosperity States, with =
mixed population, are capable Of The propos
no injury: to the: white population Of the
Southern States; while it would be an act Of
Iustlee. though tardy justice, to the negro
:race 90 long held in bondage, and forced to
forego al their own rights and interests for
the pride, wealth and pleasure Of their white
masters. 49,. .-
It seems to us, then, highly important, In
every possible view Of the case, that tbs
Federal Government should avail itself OF the
opportunity given it BY the Southern rebellion
to perform this act Of justice to the neg:o
sonth to that Of The North ! to remove great
moral ard political wrong; and to Eips out
the foul stain Of slavery, which has hitherto
6ul1ied the otherwise bright escutcheon Of
cur Republic We are no fanatics on the sub
ject Of slavery, as Is, well known to our read
srs, andHe make no extraordinary prstensions
to modern philanthropy; but We eaunot help
fearing thst, if the Government let's slip the
preeent opportunity Of doing justice to the
negro race, and Of placing our republic
throughout In harmony with modern civil:-
xation, God, Who is especially the God Of
the poor and the oppressed, will never give
victory TO cur ar1ns, o. suffer Us to succeed in
cur etiorts to suppress rebellion, and restore
| pesce and integrity to the Union. We have
too long TUNED 6e8f ear to the cry Of the
| e1slaved We have too long suffered our hearts
10 grow ca}lOus to the wrongs of the down.
trodden in our own country; we have too long
| hPnn n Ui1iSrcy IN rio $> al
.ces, and gather luxuries around us By the toll,
! the sweat and the blood OF our ensla7ed
brethren. May it not be that the CRY Of
these brethren has already entered the
ear Of Heaven, aud that He bag taken
refuse any longer to break their chains, to
set them free, aud to treat them as our broth
e1s and fellow citizens, VIE shan no longer eH-
ist as nation? May it not be that, in this
matter, We have Him to reckon With, and that
tie first step towards success Is justice to the
| wronged We confess that VIC fear, and deep.
| " fear, u we let slip the opportunity which
to the slave, or to make 6is cause ours, in vain
stall We have gathered OFT forces and gone
forth to battle. Wefear God may be using the
rebels as Instruments of our punishment
Instruments themselves to be destroyed,
when through them our own destrue:
f11an'y and in deep earnest; for he .tights
at tef775eodds .aho has The jutnits and just God
against lin. It may be that an all wise ProYi
dence hss suffered this rebellion for the very
purpose Of giving us an opportunity Of email
c:pating rightfully, without destroying, but q
2 MeanR Of preserving, the Unior, tue men
women and children now held in bondage
and OF redeeuing our p2st offences. If SO
mcst fearful Will be His Judgment upon Us, i
Ee neglect the opportunity, aad fail to aSai
Ourselves Of the right. Now is CUR day o
grace. This opportunity ueglec.ed, our day o
~ Hnp nd fr11 1o