The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-17


THE abuse of words is often the source
Of frightful evils. The way in which the
word slavery has been commonly applied
among us affords a fragrant instance, both
of such an abuse, and of its results, which,
in this case, are of the most pernicious
character The manner in which the mis-
chief has been done is very simple. A
narrowing tale of cruelty is told, and that
is called slavery. 1t is decksd with all the
embellishments of rhetoric, and recited with
the defamation of BEEcHER or q PHIL
LIPS; and that is called discussion of slav
cry. While in truth, it is as though one
should undertake to discourse upon mar
riage, and should speak only how the wo
man thereby subjects herself to the power
of man, losses her freedom, and among the
consequences, suffers whippings and other
cruelties, is sometimes even murdered: and
all this should be offered as showing the
the real nature of marriage. The analogy
is not new. The original abolitionlsts
recognized it, a1d rallied against the marital
obligations as species of slavery that
ought to be abolished
So inveterate has the use OF words be-
come, IN the case of slavery, that ii any
one proposes to take broader view, he Is
at once sneered at and derded, as the apollo
gist or defender of slavery. 1t is assumed
that such partial exhibitions OF the SUB
iect are the whole truth, and that whoever
is not converted by them justhes the
enormities imputed to it, and wants even
the humanity that would condemn them
The pains that are TINS taken to prevent
any more enlarged inquiries might well
lead to the suspicion that very tMi conn
dspce is not entertained in the justice OF
the conclusions to which these gross abuses
of the word slavery has led.
The word Slapery and the ideas thus as
sociated with it, have become the symbols
of political power. They govern the coun-
trv with an absolute sway. They are re-
presented by the present Administration,
and sustained by them; our present rulers
are allowed to sap the foundations pt the
public liberty, and to ,iolate all the safe
guards that have been thrown around poll
tiCal and individual freedom. They have
been, to an alarming extent, substituted
for rehgion-for Christianity itself 10
such an extent is this true, that person
said to be reputed sound Orthodox minis
fer addressed letter to the late GARRISON
alb oltion meeting in Philadelphia, saying,
that, though agreeing with them in sentl
ment since 1881. he had never acted with
them, vet exhorting them not TO give up
their orginazation, as had been proposed,
but to keep it up, as substitute for the
Church, as being at this time more efficient
and more pure.
Just views of the definition of tho word
Slavery, as applied to the relation between
master and servant at the South, would DO
much to remove the present national Gala
mites The interest of party, the lnatu-
alton of fanaticism, and the clamers OF ig
norance. all labor and tend to keep up the
delusion. But, sooner or later, the truth
must prevail At some time, the inexora
bic logic of events will force upon the pub
lie mind the conviction that there are great
er rniseres than any which slavery brings;
and that it has been alike foolish and wick
ed to incur them in the vain hope, by It's
abolition. of lessening the amount of exist
ing evil.
The above remarks were suggested by
reading an editorial in morning cotempo-
rary on the election of Chaplain for the
Lower House of Congress, wherein Bish-
op HoPkINs's views on Slavery We're ''rung