Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-10-16
The Day of Free speech-The Abolition of White
Say cry.
(From the Nashville Union, Sept. -

(From the Nashville Union Sept p
Thank God devoutly, for this new era in
Tennessee. True, it has cost the loss OF prop
erty and life; the desolation of many a home;
the shedding of the blood of many citizens
both patriots and traitors. But the liberty OF
speech, the breaking of the chains which so
long bound, not the bodies, but the souls oil
her white citizens, have been cheaply purchas-
ed, by what would be for any other worldly
good too heavy an outlay. IPlior to the break
ing out of The rebellion did free speech and a
free press really exist in this State? Did can
didates for Office. high or low, dare to say:
doubt the policy, justice and economy of
slavery, and would like to see it removed from
our midst ?" No man could have carried a sin
gle county in the State who would have ven
tured sentiment so frighlfnly radical" 1t
would have sealed his political death-warrant.
Mechanics, tradesmen, professional men, teach
ers and laboring men were permitted to say,
with impuny: 81 think the steam engine is a
curse l regard the threshiug machine and
the subsoil plough as nuisauces. [ don't be-
eve inraiIroads. l think religion is hum
bug. 1 believe the Whig party or the
Democratic party, are hot-beds of corrup-
ton. l think it would be a blessing if all
the churches were pulled to the ground. I be-
ieve colleges and female academies are unmit-
igated evils" And so one could go on railing
abusing and vilifying every law, system, isi
tuition and custom of the commonwealth sa-
wing and expecting always the system of ne
gro slavery. People might take exceptions
10 ones views, and attempt to controvert
Ihern, but still any one, or ali of these views,
be expressed in Tennessee and their holders
be unmolesled. But name slavery in like mau-
Fer, and a thousand eyes in an instant are bla-
zing at the daring speaker with malignant fire,
and lynch law usually terminated the audacious
utterance. No man was suffered to attack
slavery, although only one man i'll thirty own
ed slaves,
Discussion OF this subject was a forbidden
thing. 1t was to be accepted by every one
as humbly as if il had been gil; from heaven
While hone we've permitted to speak on write
against slavery, orators and newspapers all
over the State were making inAama 0ry
speeches in its behalf. Slavery, strange 20 tell
claimed and exercised the right 10 agitau
the State, and at the same time, with the
voice of a tyrant commanded the State on its
peril not to agilate slavery! Slavery was
the tyrant, despot, unquestioned, uncontrolled
dictator of the State 1t ruled the college,;
it ruled the pulpit; ii ruled the counting room;
yea, it ruled the humbIest workshop like a
oloody-minded Nero, resolved to rule without
a rival. Do we exaggeraIe? We do not; we
have fallen short of rather than gone beyond
the truth.
What was the consequence OF all this inso-
lent despotism, which bridled every mouth
and every newspaper in the State? Why the
n-slaveholders were afraid to allow them
selves The luxury OF moments independent
thought. They trembled like Persas slaves
at the nod of the mereiless muster who reign
cd over them. InEdel clubs were tolerated;
books and pamphlets in defense OF Atheism
Mormnnsm, Mesmerism, SpiIit rappirgs
were circulated openly; Jews, Gentiies Mo
hommedans, aud the thousand and one sect,
| of Christianity could all proclaim their own
views nnd deuounce those Of ail other people
| but the non STAKEHOLDER dared not open his
! lips against slavery. This is no exaggeralion
no extravagant picture; it is plain, uuvarnish
ed truth. The limbs, he bones and muscle;
of the negro were euslaved, but bondage
more Calling than corporal bondage enslaveC
the white citizens Of this commonwealth. The