The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-02-06

military rule. have no criticism 10 make
in relation to the Senator's culOgium Of the
peaccallc condition Of his own slaves, other
than this: II they arc of the character
which he has described, and have been
ever ready To- stand by him al their mast
crs in pcstilcncc and danger II that state
mcnt Of the character of his own slave
household he correct, draw the conclusion
that the alarm Of the Senator ia totally
without foundation. Ii they are thus Chris
tanned, are thus enlightened. and will
stand by their master through every kind
Of calamity that can arise, what will be the
danger II placing thom in an attitude not
only to defend themselves but their masters
aud their countryl But, Sir, all this culo-
| gum of the character Of the houses and
clothing of the slaves, II it were alcgitiuate
J subject of discussion at this time. take il,
might he said with equal truth Of the Scna-
! tors horses and cattle, and oxen and mules.
| would ask him ii lie treats his slaves as
men? | would ask him if hc treats them as
men, possessing spirits immortal, that arc
| to live parallel with his own spiritual cXis-
tcncc, AMI il he gives them the meaus of
mental cultivation and moral development,
or if il he not III his own State, with his
sanction, pcnitcntary offence to teach
these slaves to read the word Of God2-
| ncN are WCll HOuNCu, 30 arc IllS HOfScb
they are well clothed, ~ would hc his
cattle il necessary to their health and vigor
They are tcrdcrly treated So is every other
species ot live property that is under his
control. The question, however, with me,
il not how thia Christian gentleman or the
other may happen to treat those over whom
he may exercise absolute control, bnt what
is the system? How may he with impunity
treat those human cattle ific chose to treat
them with severity? will venture here to
throw in the remark and risk its being
successfully coutradictcd, that there is not
now in existence, and has not been in exist
encc since the dawning of civilization, a
system of Slavery SO bad rs tho one now i'll
existence III the United States. There never
has existed, and does not now oxst, a system
of human bondage on this whole earth so
loathsomc as the ono that now exists in
the bosom OF this Christian Nation. And
defy successful contraction. | do not say
that Christian gentleman may not, regardless
of the law and regardless of the system
treat their slaves humancly. They do, |
know they do, | am proud to say that |
know they do. But il is a tribute to
humanity and 10 the influence Of Chritianity
on the minds of men and not u tribute to
the system of Slavery itself. | unto worry
cordially with the Senator in his express
sion of the hope that these collateral outside
questions may not he discussed, and that VIC
may unite harmoniously for the purpose of
putting down this rebellion, and trust that
, he may be willing out of the abundances of
, his patriotism even to give his slaves to
/. the cause, Of the Union if it becomes neces-
sary, and not bc giving tho weight of his
> influence and oi his talcnt--which is 10y no
I, means small -unintontionally on his part
to the cause oi the rebellion. ifany speech
. delivered during this session of the Con.
: grcss of the United States shall see the
light in the rebel State, it will be the speech
- which the Senator from Kentucky has just
!. concluded, and thus has he, very unintcn
4 tonaliy on his part, ncutraliacd much that
n he has said of the policy and bearing of the
;, Senator from Indiana, during the earlier
+ part of this rebellion, which he has sC
- severely criticised, had intended, Mr.
j President, after making these explanations
. to say Il few words in relation to the legiti
=, mate subject of discussion before the Senate
but, on account of the latcnoss of the hour
;, | will not claim the further indulgence o.
4 the Senate.
The Senate went into Executive session
;. after which it adjourned.