The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-11-06
NOVEMBER 6. 1863.

defined majority have the right at their
pleasure to suByert an existing govern
ment and institute new one in its place,
and then the whites would be brought in
complete subsection to the blacks! A
contest would inevitably ensue between
the two races, civil war, carnage, pillage,
confagration, devastation and the ultimate
determination or expulsion Of the black
And are not these evils far greater than
he mild and continually improving state
Of slavery which exists in this country
| say continually improving; for if this
Gratifying process ia the amelioration Of
the condition Of the slaves has been check
ed in some of the States, the responsible
ity must attach to the unfortunate agita,
ton of the subject Of abolition. In con-
sequence Of it Increased rigors in the po-
lice and further restraints have been i'm.
posed; and l do believe that gradual
emancipation (the only method Of liberia
ton that has ever been thought safe or
wise by any body in any Of the slave
States, has been postponed half a centu-
ry. .-..... I'D. .,,,.....
Without any knowledge of the rela-
tions in.which stand to my slaves, or
their individual condition, you, Mr. Men
denhall, and your associates who have
been active in getting up this. petition,
call upon me forthwith to liberate the
whole of them. Now let me tell you that
half dozen of them, from age, decrepi-
tude, or inirnity, are wholly unable to
gain livelihood for themselves, and are
a heavy charge upon me. Do you think
that / should conform to the dictates of
humanity, by Kidding myself Of that
charge, and sending them forth into the
world, with the boon of liberty, to end a
wretched existence in starvation? Anotl-
er class is composed of helpless infants,
with or without improvident mothers
Do you believe that DIS Christian / should
perform my duty towards them, by aban-
doning them to their fate ? Then there
is another class who would not accept
their freedom if should give it to them
| have for many years owned a slave that
| wished would leave me, hut he will not.
What shall I do with that class? .''
What my treatment of my slaves is,
you may learn from Charles, who accom-
panies me on this journey, and who has
travelled With me over the greater part Of
the United States and in both the Cana
das, and has had thousand opportuni,
ties, if he had chosen to embrace them,
to leave me. Excuse me, Mr.. Mendcn.
hall, for saying that my slaves are as well
fed and clad, look as slick and hearty,
and are quite as civil and respectful in
their demeanor, and as little disposed to
wound the feelings Of any one, as you
Iare. WV - 80 ~ go
IGreat and continued laughter and ap,
plause. ~" 20. ,'-,''s n '...''
Let me recommend you, sir, to initiate
the benevolent example Of the society Of
Friends, in the midst Of which you re-
side. Meek, gentle, embued with the
genuine spirit, Of our benign religion,
whilst il principle they are firmly opposed
to slavery, they do not seek to accomplish
Tits extinction by foul epithe:s, coarse and
vulgar abuse and gross calnmny. Their
ways do not lead through blood, revolt.
ton and disunion. Their broad and com.
prehensiye philanthropy embraces, as they
believe, the good and the happiness o.
the white as well as the black race Civ
ling 10 the ole their commiseration, to
the other their kindest sympathy Their
instruments are not those IF destruction
and Of war, but Of peace, persuasion and
earnest appeals to the charities Of the hu.
man heart. Unambitious, they have nc
political objects or purposes to snbserye
| My intercourse with them through life
has been considerable, interesting and
agreeable; and / venture to say nothing
could have induced them as a society
whatever d few Individuals might have
been tempted 10 do, to seize the occasion
ia my casual passage through this State,
/ ID offer me personal indignity. " 81
This part Of Mr., Clay's speech was
listened to with deep and absorbing Atten
ltion, and YVES followed BY loud bursts 81
respect the motives Of rational aboli
ltionists, who are actuated BY sentiment
1of devotion to human liberty, although
ldeplofe aud dsprecate the Consequences B
1.-The agitation Of The question: 4 hay,
even my friends among them. But che,
lare not monomaniacs, who, snrrendsrini
themselves I'd single idea, look altogeth
IL 10 the black side Of human life. The.
ido hot believe that the sam total of al
~ .,.. ~, IN ~ chm III h