The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-19
Erom Thorhas Jsftsrson's Notes on

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From Thortas gsftsrson's Notes On
VirgiDte.
Il is difficult 10 determine on The stsn-
dsrd by which the manners Of nation
may be tried, whether catholic" OF par
ticular Il Is more difficult for a native
to bring 10 that standard the manners of
his own nation, familissizod to him by
habit.
There must doubtless be an unhappy
influence on the manners Of our people,
produced by the existence of slavery
among u.s. The whole commerce be-
tween master and slave is perpetual ex-
ercise of the most boisterous passions,
the most unremitting despotism on the
one part, and degrading submissions on
the other.
Our children sec this and learn to imi-
tate II, for nan Is an initiative auimal.
This quality is the germ Of all educa-
ton In him. From his cradle to his grave
he is learning TO do what no sees others
do. If q parent could End no motive,
either in his philanthropy or his self.
love, for restraining the intemperance Of
his passion towards his slave, it should
always be q sufficient one that his child
is present; but generally 1t is not sufti-
Gent
The parent storms, the child looks on,
catches the lineaments of wrath, puts on
the same airs in the circle Of smaller
slaves, gives aloOse to the worst of pas
sions, and thus nursed, educated and
daily exercised in tyranny, cannot but
be stamped by ID with odious peculiar
tiles.
The man must be prodigy who can
retain his manners and morals undeprav-
ed By such circumstances; and with
what exc Grafton should the statesman
be loaded who, permitting one-half Of
the citizens thus TO !rsmple on the rights
Of the other, transforms those into des-
pots and these into enemies, destroys the
morals of the one part and the aynsor pa
trin Of the other.
For if 4 slave can have a country in
this world, it must be any other in
preference TO ihat Ia which be is born 10
live and labor for smother; in which he
must lock up the faculties of his nature,
contribute as far as depends on his in
diyidual sndeayOrs to the evanishment of
tbs human race, or entail his own mis-
cradle condition on the endless stuera-
lions proceeding from him
With the morals Of the people, their
Industry also is destroyed. For in a
warm climate, no man will labor for him
self who can make another labor for
him. This is go true, that of the pro
prietOFs of slaves very email proper
ton indeed are ever seen to labor.
And can The liberties of a nation be
thought secure when we have removed
their only firm basis, a conviction in the
minds of the people that these liberties
sre of the gift of God-that they arc
not to be violated but with his wrath
Indeed l tremble for my country when
reflect that God is just that his justice
cannot sleep forever; that considering
numbers, nature and natural means only
o revolution of the wheel Of fortune, an
exchange of situation is among possible
events. The Almighty has no attribute
which can take sides with us in such 8
contest.
But it is impossible to be temporal,
aud pursue this subject through the va
riOus considerations of policy, of morals
of history natural and civil.
We must be contented to hope they
will force their way into every one'i
mind. think . change already per.
ceptible, since the origin of the presen
revolution. The spirit of the master il
abating Of the slave rising from
the dust, his condition modifying, tn,
way, l hope, preparing under tn,
auspices of heaven, for total enamel,
patton, snd that this is disposed In th,
order Of events, 10 be with the consen
of the masters, rather than by theil
extlrpation.