Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-09-18
"What is efiecting that benefcent change

"What is eiecting that benefcent chnnge
there? lin Russia from serfdom to freedom
The same influence which can alone effect it
in the Southern States-the power of public
opinion. And why has it had no inAuenceup
to the present time? Because it could not
reach them. An able Northern writer, argu.
ing against secession, after describing all that
the Union had done for slavery, remarks:-
And it has shielded their peculiar institution
from the hatred and hostility of the civilized
world This is the truth-the Union has
been the shield of slavery. 1t ha, been shelter
ed under the wing Of the American Eagle
Dissolve the Union ana it must stand unshield-
ed, uncloa%cd. in the light Of open day. When
thus placed face to face with public opinion,
Who will doubt which must ultimately prevail?
What institution exists that can permanent
v confront il? Invisible, intangible, that none
can euagc ormeasure OF picture or dc6nc-who
is there that is imptnetrable to it's influence or
able to withstand its power? The Emperor of
France, at the head of his legions, shrinks
from this encounter. What, overthrow slave
ry in our own dominioUs, orsin the colonies of
other powers? 1t was not governments, nor
politicians, nor planters. nor philosophy but
simply this irresistible power. But by pub
lie opinion. we do net mean wild excitement
or rash theories. These are the troth Of
breaking waves, not the majestic ocean. We
mean that which expresses the united senti
ment oi the thoughtful and intelligent, that
which cmbodies not the passion, but the mind
Of the enlightened world Patient, conside-
rate, prepared to weigh difficulties, TO provide
for consequences, to appreciate rights; but,
at the same time, firm, Irresistible, it will say
with unimpassioned, but authoritative voice.
the time has come when this old sud blot
up"n humanity must stain it no more" 2.
ILL.,"
This powerful, irresistible agent public
opinion, the .ftaaciel agent of tho Confcde-
rate States, has been moulding and forming
and melting and encouraging against the in
sti,utian OF the Confederate States, with the
full knowledge of Mr.. Benjamin. the Secro-
tary Of State tie Cabinet officer entrusted with
the watch and ward of foreign affairs" as they
affect his country, ard when he is taxed
with der!lction of duty he steps behind
the Treasury and says, Il did not appoint
Spence, but Mr.. Memminger did" What is
the duty of the Secretary of State if it be not
TO see that f'scign public opinion shall not be
turned. by am agent Of this Government,
against the liberties of the people and the very
existence Of its institutions? Under the Uni
ted States no agent financial or any other
would have dared to publish such sem
timents aud Mr.. Spencc's assertion that
the Union protected slavery from such public
opinion is true. The power Of the Southern
States in the Federal Union was strong enough
tn have protected its institutions from. assaults
such as these which We are now taxed to re-
luuncrate. The .tinaneist agent desires the
dissolution Of the Union because he believes
that slavery, once relieved from the ;cgis Of its
protection, will speedily pass away, and the
foul blot be no moro. lie calls upon his Gov
c:nment to take advantage Of our "stroagest
desire' and to avail itself Of theorportunity, Of
our necessities, to compel us to wipe out the
"Grul blot" and enable East India cotton to
compete with the American staple.
We are not surprised to find the -"Sentinel"
seeking to place the onus of this man Spence
upon some other person than its friend and
patron, Mr.. Benjamin but it was unkind TO
cumulate such IN agent upon the other enl-
barrassments Of the Treasury Department.
Divide the lahor-rlacc Spence on some one
clse's shoulders than Nr. Memminger, op-
pressed. rs he is, with the burden of the cur
roncy for humanity sake leave hin, on Mr..
Benjamin, who has 50 little upon his mind or
shoulders. WhocTer may have made the ap-
p?intmert, or whatever may be the character
of Spcnce's duty, is matter Of small impor-
tancc: his unofficial, but not Ineffective as
saults upon slavery, his oifieious suggestions
10 England TO intcrneddlc with our institu-
tons his voluntary effort to mould public
opinion against the principal feature of South
ern civilization in addition to its base ingrat-
itudc. was of such character as rendered it
the duty of Mr.. BENJAMIN to see that he was
removed Whoever appointed and pays him,
he is Mr.. Benjamin's agent by sutferance and
permission.