Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-11-21


er and very bad and dangerous power
Even many in other countries have had
similar views. More than forty years ago, a
writer in the Edinburg Review expressed
himself thus:
The great danger and disgrace of Amer
ca Is slavery, which if not corrected in
time, will entail, and ought 10 entail a bloc
dy servile war on Americans, which will
separate America into slave States and
states disclaiming slavery, and which re-
mains the fonlest blot on the moral charac-
ter of that people"
We are now fulfilling that fearful prophe-
cy with the added interest of near half
century. But could this be so if slavery
were not power? If it were the innocent
and profitable system when " let alone" to
flourish, which selfish politicians and dema
gogues the supple tools for its manipula-
tion have held, could it have led us step
by step to this deluge of tears and blood -?
The truth is even the most far-seeing have
never approached true estimate of the
amazing power Of this accursed system for
mischief, in a country like ours. To over
estimate it, we're simply impossible. The
people, impelled by the necessities of the
hour, are just beginning to see that there is
no safety within the compass of its dark and
baleiul shadow. The capacity of the slave
power for ruin, has been gradually develop.
ing for years; but the process has fastened
with terrible intensity, within the past de-
eade. Its nominal area has been limited,
but its effects have peryaded the entire
nation, If it could have been compelled to
work out its legitimate results of corruption
exclusively on its own soil it had been far
better for the nation-but it has laid lis
unhalowed hands upon every spring and
fountain of government and power In lis
own nominal locality it has, within less than
n quarter of century, SO corrupted and de
based the conscience of the people. that
principles and views regarding it, which
were once shocking and repugnant, are now
mot only quietly accepted, but openly aud
publicly taught in pulpit and forum as hu-
name, scriplural and final.
Mr. Cairnes in his remarkable book ON the
"Slaye Power, thus gives the true philoso-
ply of this change:
1T seems impossible that whole people
should live permanently in contemplation of
a system which does violence to their moral
| instincts. One of two results will happen.
either its moral instincts will lead il 10 re-
form the institution which ollends them. or
those instincts will be perverted and become
authorities for what, in their msophisticated
state they condemned, The latter altena-
tive Is that which has happened in the
southern States. Slavery is no longer re-
garded there MS u barbarous institution. to
he palllated with whispering humbleness. as
all inheritance from uder age hut rather
as system admirable for lis intrinsic OK
ceIle9ce, worthy to be upheld and propaga.
led, the last and completest result of time
rms Is now propounded as n grand discove-
ry IN ethical and political science. made far
the first time by the enlightened leaders Of
The Southern Coniederacy, and recommend
ed 6y that philanthropie body to all civil
hed nations for their adoption This Con
federation. which is the opprobrium Of the
age, puts itself forward as the model for lis
imitation, and calmly awaits the taydy an
pause of mankind"
viii any one for moment deny that sla-
very woged the Infamous border war ON
Kansas And yet nothing but that un-
serupulons and terrible power could ever
nave prosecuted such murderous and mer
elless onslaught upon free and unonendnp
people. And again, what but such a power
could have ever brought whole admins
tration to connive at such gigantic Injustice
1t first corrupted the regning government.
and then drenched that luckless and unhap-
py territory in blood, under the very eve ard
with the tacit consent of the President of
the Republic.
This monstrous power Of iniquity has cor
rupted the whole political machinery Of the
country We sometimes fear, past all remedy,
anless it be by this ordeal Of fire and blood
through which the nation is passing. Even
now while loyal millions are struggling
to save this noble government from utter
destruction, and to throw off this intolerable
incubus from the nations life, there are
bold, bad men everywhere through these
Northern States, who are IN THE INTEREST
of THE SLAVE POWER, and who by suicidal
concessions and compromise with its rebel
lious hordes would rivet its chains more
tightly upon US, and slept temporary place
and power over the ruins of their country's
history.
Shame and inlamy be upon the heads Of
those who speak soothipgly and APOLOGIZE.
cally Of such a ruinous and dreadful power
as slavery has proved itself Speed the day
when slave feet shall no longer tread The
soil of America, and the slave power shall
be known only in history
---~-ssS%-
SAVE HIM FROM ms EnIENDs