The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-04-12

men are created equal that tn y are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable rights that
among these life liberty, aud the pu suit OF
happiness. ~ Decarai. on ef ihdepeaoe
KNC xv1yILLE; PRINTED BY HElsKEIL AND
BROWN, 1877.
One object of this society is, TO difiuse
light on subject about which no reason
can be rendered why the public should
remain in darkness. To obtain this OBJ
iect in part, the society ordered at the
last meeting that an appropriate address
should be delivered at the present meet
ing. and were pleased to direct that or
der to me. In compliance with the toW
of the society, | have prepared an ad-
dress on the subject, which has given
birth to the association, which it is pro-
posed TO treat in the following manner:
I. The object or design Of the society.
III. That the principles of slavery are
inconsistent with the laws of nature and
revelation.
III. Show some of its evils both moral
and political.
w. No solid objections lie against
gradual emancipation. p.
am first to show the object of this
society.
| am happy in being able to say, the
| object is such, that every friend OF hu-
nanity, politician of every name, and
Christians of every denomination may
| ioin hand and heart to obtain. TO
relieve suffering humanity, to help
| the feeble toice of the degraded and
oppressed African to reach the ear
of legislative authority, and to pro-
mote the sacred rights of man, are the
objects of this philanthronpic Associa-
ton. But the constitution speaks for
itself utas5 tFr
at shall be the business of the society
and of each member 10 endeavor 10 pro-
mote and inculcate the principle That
freedom is tho natural right Of all men"
What American, what republican will
raise his voice or exert his influence
ogainst this eternal and immutabie law
OF nature The benevolence of the OBJ
ject which the society proposes, forbds
all unrighteous or violent melhOds in or
der 20 obtain the end Accor dinghy, the
constitution has pointed out the meaps
TO which the Society shalt confne itself.
ut shall be the duty of the society 10
consult among themselves whom they will
elect for governor and representatives to
the several legislatures, and endeator to
be unanimous in heir interest for such as
are friends Of our country, and are be
lieved to be in favor of gradual eman-
cipation." luI -.
The society will doubtless feel 1t 4
duty 10 write petitions and obtain signers
in order to present them TO the legisa,urC
of this State at its future sessions, thai
laws may be passed in favor Of gradua
emancipation, and for the melioraiion Of
the condition of such slaves as must con-
tinue in bondage for life. The society il
so careful that the object may be pursued
in peaceful and christian like manner
> that its constitution requires as quslifi
cations for membership, unequivocal evi,
dence that the applicants are decided
: friends Of their country aud Of good mora
character. See Art. IA. -aI1 7.t4l
AS further means OF obtaining tn,
object of the association, the society pro
poses TO publish and circulate such ESSAY
or discourses on the subject Of slavery a.
are calculated 20 give a just view of it,
. many evils its pernicious influence OF
p the liberties Of our country, and tn
a morals of the nation. Thus far and n,
farther does the society propose to go, L
effect an object which must meet the ap
probation of every enlig mind, an,
Of every friend of humanity.
III. We were to shew in the secon,
place, that the principles OF slavery ar,
at war with the laws both of nature an
. revelation. ..
SLAVERY AT WAR Win NATURE
Slavery as it exists amongst us give
T. the master a property in The slaves an
their descendants, as much as law ca
give property in land, cattle, goods an
chattles of any kind, 10 be used at th
. discretion Of the master, or TO be sold
whom, when and where he pleases wit
the descendants forever. II is true, it th
master lake away the lie OF the slave
under certain circumstances, our law
pronounce it murder But the laws leRv
IL in the power of the master TO destTo
his life by thousand acts OF lingerin
cruelty. lie may staTve him TO death b
degrees, or he may whip him to death
he only take long enough time. Or
may so unite the ngors Of hard lAbOu
stinted diet, and exposure as 10 shoTic
life The laws watch against sudde
murder, as If to leave the iOrlorn wretch
es exposed to any slow death, that n
cruelty aud malignant passions Of a say
age may dictate. Nor il there any rs
straint but a sense Of pecuniary los,
feeble barrier against the effects Of II
malevolent passions, that are known
reside in the human heart The mo,
inhuman wretch may own slaves, as we
As the humane and gentle. Should Law
leave one human being in tho pow er
another 10 such an extent? Ia man
countries where slavery exists the Law
prescribe the manner in which they sha
be used aud that too in lands whi,
do not boast either Of the light and sc
ence we enJ ~; or Of the liberty az
equality which raises us above aud di
tiuguishes as from all the Dalions Of Il
globe. Tho following is q summary
the Spanish code:
AS TO the treatment OF the slave