Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-20

From the Mdhumissi0R Society o. Tennessee, 10 me
Freemea Of the State, on account oftke ORpress-
ed Africans therein, in 1916.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
Our minds becoming weightily
IMPRESSED, under sense of the unhappy situa-
tion of the people Of colour in this highly favor
ed country ; under this influence, we deem 1t
exnedient to address you in that love which
wisheth well to the whole human family ardent
lv desiring that you may take into consideration,
the case Of this much injured people; who (not-
yyithstandlng the divine favor extended to our
country are at this time groaning under the
iron hand of ppression-Tetained in involun-
tary ubjecton-doomed to wear the chains oil
nerpetual slavery. Here we discover passive
obedience on one part, while the other is pur--
suing the opposite extreme Here we behold
human beings sold like herds of catte-chi-
dren torn by violence from their parents, anu
sold in distant lands cOnjugal affection and
matrimonial ties disregarded; the husband SOLD
from the wife, or the wife from the husband -
Here q system is adopted, calculated to promote
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of one, upon the misery OF
another, which in its nature is abhorrent TO every
lust and tender sentiment
After beholding this picture Of human misery,
this map of American oppression, ana Airi-
can degradation, how painful to the ear OF sensi-
bility that we, who justly espouse the cause OF
LIBERTY, should bo the means of their unhappi-
ness. We openly invade their rights, forcing
them and their posteriiy into perpetual slavery
without any provocation on their part Is not
This alarming And what can be more deroga-
tive TO Americans; who openly declare, that
n freedom is the natural and mdtendbfe flght 81
all mankind" ,.c. \,
Americans you experience the benefit OF
freedom and profess the universal right mankind
have to it you are therefore left without excuse.
A noted orator says, alt is the very death Of
Justice to say word in favor of slavery J" Whlle
another as Justly asks, Z" how long will you con
tiuue practice which policy rejects, Justce
condemns, and piety revots at?" third
celebrated Clergyman, gives US these important
oneries: :" Is there no injustice in forcing mel
to lah.our without wages By seeing misery anC
onnres,,ion daily stalk over the laud, do not met
become 'nsensibly hardened And by giving
birth to hat misery themselves, do they no
hecome aba udoned2 Is there no breach OF duty
when we are commanded to elothe inc hakeu
and feed the hungry, visit the sick and imprlson
sd-in exnoshlg them to want; in torturnl
them by cruel D unishment--and grinding then
down bv hard lalNor, so as to shorten their days
or render life mis-, ,rable? Is there no crime i
adonting n system at enmity with every nobl
faculty Of the soul and which evidently corrupt
and debases their nat ure? And IS there no mn
auity in perpetuating these mlserles among tnei
offsprng?" Yes, it slave IS IN an uhhuPp
. / situation, q que pOTNuH W
nuentlv deyolyes on him who nDjustly retain
him in bondage. Action and reaction oein
reciprocal in the moral, AS in the natural Worl'
we cannot exercise nn upjutt dominion oVor
fellow creature, but that BY u wise ordering
providence we unavoidably injure onfseIVes'
1t is with great propriety said IN the ten,
5 article of the late treaty Of peace, that " II
traffic in slaves is rreconoilable with the prime
pies humanity and justice" Many mCdera
Shareholders, acknowledge this, but make u
following excuse. "they are here and what sh'
: we do Nth them o. And this, no doubt, pr
sents a very fo,m dabe bal Tier i'll the minds
many we'll d. poser persons. 10 these We wou
just observe, tha is dal 1gerons maxim AKIN.
make N, ces,uy Plea for i vjusice' Mil'
hath expressed it thus:
"Aud with necessity the ty 'ants pie"'
4 "Exeuse his devilish deed"
: We are not however, disposed TO pear nal
: We discover the difficulty we u re- lnsoNeu
and of course, the greater necess wy lot uui
S, mtted exertions, if happily we IN ay exsric'
ourselves from the danger of, and avert the
pending storm, designed to sconrge those "