The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-16

pray that we may be delivered both from the
pseudo philanthropists and the trading politi-
clans Let the workingmen keep sharp look
out for the latter.
The Institution of Slavery I'm French
Point OF View.
Slavery in the United States has been recent
ly made subject Of very sharp controversy
in some of the Partisan Journalistic Steele and
lie Pays among the number In the first, M.
Jourdan has attracted attention by what we
may call bis extreme black republican doc
trines, which lead him to advocate the imme-
date and total notification and prohibition Of
slavery throughout the Union, by summary
act of Congress; and in this view he is sustained
by the Constitutional In lie Poys, however,
nj. de Cassagnac has replied to M. Jourdan
with that consummate ability for which he has
been long distinguished. M. de Cassagnac who
generally receives his inspiration from the EN-
peror, gives rational and clear expression of
his views, with concise force that completely
upscts the arguments Of his opponents.
Indeed, the want of not only common sense,
but common information upon the matter which
NJ. Jourdan undertakes to legislate for, is sur
prising in man holding such strong opinions,
and giving utterance to them with such conf.
dent freedom. He writes like one who believed
slavery some recent and obnoxious innovation
introduced into the Southern States Of the fede-
ration, and that this ought not to be tolerated
any longer by those of the other States who are
not in favor of it. He says that
the constitution of the United States ex-
tends personal freedom to every one,
regardless of color and race, and he
loses himself in maze of false surmises
and equally erroneous conclusions M. de
Cassagnac is therefore compelled to tell him
that slavery existed in the United States be-
fore the United States became republic, and
that there is no such thing in the constitution
be quotes as proclamation of personal free
dom to every man, woman and child, whether
black or white; or, in his own words, "regard-
less Of color and race"
He then goes on to maintain that slavery
exists by a snrt Of law Of Divine right He
instances the circumstance of the Apostle Paul
sending the fugitive slave back to his master,
and instead of trying to prove as M. Jourdan
does, that Christianity and the Bible expressly
forbid slavery, he proves exactly the reverse.
He instances the words of our Lord, where he
breaches humility and obedience in the words,
Servants, obey your masters" and teaches
masters to be kind to those over whom they
have authority. Where is the Divine law and
right of equality here, about which M. Jourdan
declaims so loudly? M. Jourdan must not only
be in ignorance of the history of slavery, but
possessed Of no common share of vanity, which
leads him to think himself a much wiser
and more honest judge of things than those
philosophers who have preceded him, and
whose names stand first on the roll Of fame.
Does he not know that Plato and Aristotle
were partisans Of slavery, and that yoltaire
had serfs till the day Of his death, and never
entertained the idea of emancipating them. M.
Cassagnac has good way Of putting his an
tagonist of the Steele right if indeed be chooses
% be put right; but this we are afraid is doubt
full. He says-"When we see go many learned
and noble hearts, who have at least as much
moral sense as NJ. Jourdan, preach submission
instead Of revolt, and pave the way gently and
cautiously for the negro towards free life, we
think ourselves right to attach little Importance
70 the illusions Of superficial people who un.
dertake to write on the greatest questions
without understanding them, and appeal to
PASSIONS and violence for the instan tancous re-
modelling Of institutions which time only can
bring about" He. elsewhere warns him thai
when institutions are DID, care must be taken
in any attempt to modify them He reminds
N. Jourdan that as late as the year 1775 the
French government gave four millions OF
francs to the shipowners Of Bordeaux
and Nantes in order to enlist their ser
vices in the promotion OF the slave trade
as an element Of colonization; and he asks why
in particular M. JourGan should reproach the
United States for countenancing slavery, when.
at the same time, as from ages mnemorial,
slavery exists In Africa, Asia, and even
Europe-the serfdom Of Russia as a promi-
nent instance. M. de Cassagnac concludes by
showing that slaves are property as much a.
houses and land, aud that while such is the
case the system which sus.ains the right of thu,
property must be supported, and that the
federal government has no right to prohibit
slavery where II exists. because slavery not
only existed in its territory, but was universal
and unquestoned when the republic was pro
claimed.
On the whole, the controversy is calculated
to place our institutions in truer light than
that in which NJ. Jourdan appeared to see them,
and has reflected credit upon the ability of
Cassegnac and the opinions Of Napoleon,
although nothirg new hes been elucidated.
News from HayH.
Hayti journals 70 December have been rcceivol
lie Pyeycs Of Port an rpce date a Navembsr 81 an.