Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-31
NEGRO SLAVERY.


As secessionists, we supposed We were out
Of the Union. We went ont to protect s3ape7y.
We failed. We now come back. For what
purpose? To protect sl,syeyy? The absurdity
is tco monstrous to tolerate for q woment.
We went out to protect the negro. We
come back to protect the white man. We
regard the negro question as Gefnitly settled
by the last source OF appeal, and We say there
let it rest.
But we of Arkansas must dispose Of what
there IS LEFT of this question for ourselves.
We can't dodge it. In our settling it We are
not agitating the slavery question. Can yon
agitate the dead? Is not slavery dead in our
State? Did i not % down in the vortex Of
secession and civil war? Bat though dead,
its remains must be disposed OF. Its dead
| carcass is ell that lies between Us and
perfect restoration Of our former relations
with the Government. \ convention of the
people should meet and bury it. The ques-
ton OF abolition and it's converse can't be
made in our midst. We are not like Missouri.
With Us the question is, What shall we do
with that which is already abolished? To
the Constitution and pat it beyond the hope
OF resurrection. We of the North and South
knowing that slavery was the only disturb
ing element III cur Government, alter many
scAlements each on5 deemed 'fnaL" resorted
to the last arbitramenr-the sword. We who
own slaves have lost, f.iiIy lost. and we must
abide the decision. The people Of Arkansas
are therefore the proper ones to act on its
tdl extinction in our midst. The sooner
we do it the better for ourselves and the
country. TO many this is unpalatable, but
ne cant blink tit must be mct-let Us do
il like men.
There IS Il large and growing party in the
auth, tI,,+ ]:
States to the condition of the territories
The central idea of Ibis party is to get iii
of slavery, az The source Of ali our calatAities
ltwould be uabcconlingi in us, as well as waste
Of time, 10 get up ald argi;e the abstract ques-
ton with tnem as to their right to do this
Let Us anticipate them and cut under them
at once, by meeting il convention, at th e
earliest day that We can be empowered so to
do, and eNtrpate forever the last yesti5e oil
slavery III our midst, and bury out Of sight |
tins source Of all our calamitcs, personal, |
State and National Ry thus Ioma'lv Civ
ing up what Is already lost, we will have S.
cured to us all our rights as equal States to
the tHl0n. If lie DO not 10 $, | give it as |
nay opinion that, right Or wton@, we will be |
reduced 10 the condition Cf q territoFy, and |
so remain until We do pass upon this question, |
definitely, at once ald forever. You cant |
Ii.'u sOluiLi IA Jnt array VINO mas no. al |
rcddg reached o" Is not closely a7proximatinc |
The conclusion that his health, ha )pincss and |
lie have been exposed and jcorardiz23 be |
eanse Of NEGRO slavery, and w,tN d2~- u
and who viii Aot insist tha., asscer all his toll /
and hardships the question, whicl, diplomacy
and sta a5eslnanship could not settle, being set
tied by the sword, should be put at rest for
ever.
And this is Independent Of any opinion he !
may have held before we rendered him the is
sue OF q settlement by the sword. l am No
politician. Would net receive an Office from |
President or people, and can therefore speak |
plainly. And do say, in candor and sin
cerity, to these few arkansas pti;icians who !
think they are striking the popular current
Oy their etf2rs to re;ustatc slavery here, that |
they will be borae down by tide as irresis- |
table and powerful, as ii w1l be oyc:Hhelm-
ing and annihiia.iye Of all thcir hopes and rs
pirations. The people Of Arkansas are deter
mined to 60 back to the UA;on, as they nor
md jll9tScIrcs and they are rot to be fright
enel f.om til>ir pa?pose BY having the words |
consistency" or "-ibolitIoa;st7 thrown at |
them Finding slavery DESTROYED, they can 50
pass upon il, and be neither Inconsistent"
nor ''AboIi;ionilts' =