Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-02-25

lhs on other gronn0H lie nPufes m0fres.-
This is very vicious mode Of conducting con
'ro'ersey, resoried TO-, too often, either for pur-
poses OF personal offence, or because feeling the
lorce OF the argument, the person using this
vicious mtthod, finds his only chance Of escape
lies IN endeavoring to show that bis opponent is
influenced by unworthy motives eygo, the mo
ti'es being bad. the argument is unsound. THIS
may be good logic lor Llberias,n but it Will
not satisfy just and discern ng public.
MIR. Addison has well remarked that " The
most notable way of managing controversy, is
that which we may call arguing by torture
These disputanis convince their adversaries with
sorities, commonly calel pile Of fargots
TIE rack is also Il kind Of syllogisn which hns
been used with good effect, aud has made multi
tuies of converts. Men were formerly disputed
out Of their doubts, reconcied to iinlh by force
oil reason, and won over to opinions by caudUr
and ingenuity Of those who had the ripht on
their sidei but this method Of conviction ope-
rated too slowly. Pain was found TO be much
more enlightening than reason. Every scluple
was looked upon us obstnacy, Hnl nut to be
removed but by several engines invented for thnt
purpose In word, the application Of whips.
racks gibbets, gales, dungeons, fire aud iaggot
III dispute, may be looked upon as popish re
tinemcnts upon the old heather logic.''
vi what consequence, pray sir, is it to the ar
gument, or to the public, whether was or wns
T
whether "Libertas" does or does not "know of
such? Or whether | "aitended Republican
Conventions, and directed them? Which in
situations are beneath contempt. and if intended
for me, are slight Isistakes Or of what value
in this inquiry, is the remark OF "Lihertns' that
he is 81 "sHrpTissd" TO lind that some men who are
known 10 be utterly opposed to slavery, have al
lowed themselves to object TO this BILL" and
thereby 10 throw their influence against emauci-
paiion itself, simply because Mey ieere NOT con.
safied OcfOrs NE increment wds m0de pu5iic2 Of
what value, in this iquiry, is the 'tsurtrise" OF
"Llbtrtas' on this or any other sile issue when
/ the question is, does this bill propose a meat
constitutional irrongS Who has said one word
about any PERSONS not being consulted before
the movement was made publlcg Was " Liber-
las consulted before this movement was made
| publc'3 And wherefore does he "protest
against the petty malignity and personal piaue"
which he unfairly, nay, unjustly imputes to
those who are suspected of opposing this bill
siDply because they were not consulted before
the movement was made public"l For what
object aIe such unworthy and uujnst insipuatious
made They cannot, in the minds Of sober. te
teeling people, have any weight or influence.
These will remember the old adage that othose
who lmpute motives are usually Influenced by
motives, and suspect other people OF beng in
nuenced by the same consderat, Ons which con.
troll their own conduct"
were some persons "not consulted before this
movement was mode public" simply because of
their known conservatism aud love for the Con
stitulicn and the Union? If If"Lbertasp be real
ly an original friend Of emancipation. on the
true, solid ane only safe constitutional basis upon
winch II has been placed in the free States aud
on which II can safely stand in this State Nbv
should he attempt to weaken the hands of those
who regard slavery as great social and political
evll, aud opposed TO the true interests and pros
perlly OF their State as much as he does, by the
imputation Of unworthy motives? why thus
attack aud seek to destroy the influence Of
those who, whilst "Libertas' was npuliug and
puking ia his mother arms" were brayely a.
sum ng the moral responsibility Of poting for lie
gradual emancipation Of SLAVERY in this State
II the measure then proposed aud supported had
been consummatcd, this State would long since
have been Free State
4 Finally, will not enter the list with nIiher.
tas:' lie sneers at my conseryatisin.~ lilo
openly avows himself to be "a RADICAL Then
with one who is so "radiea" as to desire The
destruction of the Constitution of the United
States, or of this State, and tue breaking up of
this glorious Union, in order that he NAV ex
hlblt his ''radical" feelings in the involuntary.
/ unconstitutional emancipation OF negro slaves, |
will not dispute. will retire from the field of
controversy with him, and allow him all the
I honors he can reap from his "radicaism"
! Our blessed Lord said be "came not to DESTROY
the law or the Prophets, but to fulfil" So every
conservative wise mau would desire, whilst cor.
reeting abuse, to conserve mud preserve the Con-
sttution aud fundamental laws of his country,
and the union Of these States, with all their con.
stiiuIional compromises. Leaving to radical. this
radical cO-adJutor the unenvabe, nay, the un-
holy service of destroying the Constitution.
laws, and insti utions of this Union, yes, of the
Union itself and Of reducing the elements of so-
clety into chaotic confusion and of involving
this country in the horrors of a revolution, in
comparison with which, the present wicked re-
bellion and civil war is but ehili's play, simply
LOT LOT the purpose of emancpating negro slaves
Wise and moderate counsels must eyentuallv
prevail In these times of returning reason
radicals will be condemned, whilst the prudent
couuses Of conservative, moderate men will be
needed. O.
Georgetown, Feb 49, 1869.