Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-03-25
WHITE SLAVERY PROPOSED.

If the war has beaten some of the rebel lead
ers out their arrogance and conceit, it has not
yet improved their convictions. They have
been made to believe, by the logic of gunpsw-
der, that Yankees are not altogether despicable
foes but they still cling to their illusions on the
subject of slavery Political economy, demo-
cratic philosophy, Christian morals exist in vain
for them; in spite of all these, the ownership of
labor by capital as the true secret of social we'll
being, remains one of their fundamental tenets;
and in the application of it they scarcely dis
posed to make any distinctions between white
and black labor.
As a proof of this. let quote paragraph
from the Richmond Whig, which having been
accused of laxity of zeal in the cause of slave
ry, replied as follows:
q So far from believing that slavery must die,
we have long held the opinion that It is the nor
NAL and only humane relation lChicb labor can
sustain tOIodrd capital When this war is over,
we shall urge that every Yankee who ventures
to put foot on southern soil be made slave for
life. and wear an iron collar as a badge of infe-
riOrity to the Africans
This fling at the Yankees is the mere lunge
of bitter and impotent spite but the opinion
confessed, as to the true relations of labor and
capital, is deliberate conviction. Unfortunate
ly it is not confined to the Richmond Whig
alone, which represents considerable class of
thinkers at the South, who have really persuad-
ed themselves of its truth. They point to the
condition of the laboring classes of Europe-to
the poor cOters of Ireland, to the stold agricul-
turists of England, to the ignorant peasantry of
France, to the priest-ridden lazzaroni of Naples
and they argue that the condition of the south
ern slave is infinitely superior. He gets enough
to, eat at least he is comfortably clad he is ta-
ken care ofin sickness and old age, and he null
tiplies with rapidity that proves his general
comfort and healthfulness. The inference is
therefore, clear to their minds that if the white
laborers of the world were owned by a saga
clous careful and thrifty proprietor, they would
be much better off.
The same position is deliberately defended in
a pamphlet published in this city under the aus
pices of many of our leading democratic" citi-
zens, and which is now before us. The title
runs thus: Papers from the Society for the
Diffusion of Political Knowledge. An argu-
ment on the ethical position of slavery in the
social system, and its relation to the politics of
the day. By S. F. B. Morse. Read, discuss,
diffuse" The design of the Society," in these
twenty pages of close print, is to show that God
himself has established all the fundamental and
true relations of society, and departure from
which is a grievous sin and evil. "God," it
says, has wisely and benevolently ordained a
Social System for him Eman1 perfectly adapted
to his nature" 1t then proceeds to ask, "What
is the social system which God has ordained?"
and answers thus:
q 1t consists of four distinct clearly defined,
but cooperative relations, thus laid down in the
New Testament
First.-CIvIL GOVERNMENT in which the re-
lation of Ruler and Ruled is ordained.
SecORd.-The MATRIMONIAL, in which the re-
lation of Husband and Wife is ordained.
1biTd.-The PARENTAL, in which the relation
of Parent and Child is ordained.
FOlutb.-The SERvILE, in which the relation
of Master and Slave is ordained.
Now, here we have drawn out, by the pen of
Inspiration, a Perfect Social System, the Divine
Plan adapted to man, as a fallen being, in his
disciplinary state, that is to say, to man as he
really is"
Nothing, it will be seen is said here on the
subject of the Races; nothing of the peculiarties
of tropical climates; on both of which hereto
fore slavery has been rested; but the words are
applied to man, as man, wherever he may be,
and to whatever race he may belong. We are
taught that slavery is as much part of the Di-
vine system of society as civil government it.
SELF or the relations of man and woman, of pa
rent and child. A society organized without it
is not divine, or, in other words is diabolic.-
All the efforts which were made in Europe, for
a thousand years-efforts sanctioned both by
church and state-tO extinguish serfdom, were
sinful and pernicious; all the acts of emancipa-
ton passed by our fathers in the free states were
anarchical and heaven-defying; and all the
anti-slavery sentiment of this day, whether it be
manifested in Russia or the Dutch colonies, or
the United States is unhOly and atrocious.-
Such are the principles inculcated by this soci-
ety of model democrats, ITO which some of our
,a,- a,.1
of our wealthiest merchants contribute their mo-
ney.
But they do not simply condemn the whole
past of human history, for its struggles against
the domination of man by man; they insist that
we shall return to the condition from which we
have so laborously and painfully escaped. If
slavery be part of the Divine Order-ifit ori-
gin and necessity be the same with those of civ
il government and the family, the sooner we get
back to it the better: the sooner we mend the
broken yoke and impose it upon our fellow
men, the sooner we shall be in true and proper
relations with our Creator. a " diyinely social
system" the 'perfct form of society, drawn out
by the pen of inspiration" admits of no other,
admits of no departure, variety or modification;
is itself incumbent upon all men everywhere,
and the curse of God must rest upon the nations
which have presumed to reject it and devise
another Europe as well as America is at this
moment resting under the sovereign displeas-
ure f its wicked abandonment of truth and
lduty.
This society of democrats" does not tell us
what class of the community it would Te-en-
slave under the divine authority; but the whole
analogy of history leaves no doubt on that head
1t is the laboring class. The laborers have al
ways been slaves, where slavery has existed,
and Of course always will be, where it is restOr-
ed. The Richmond Whig declares it openly;
capital or the rich man must own labor, or the
poor man. How do our mechanics and work
ngmen relish the prospectheld out to them by
the Society for the Diffusion of Political KnOwl-
edge?" How would John COmmerford, William
GLAND Bourne William B. Taylor R. NJ. Poer,
or others among our citizens who live by their
labor, like to be theproperty of Mr.. August Bel
mont, banker, or of David E. Wheeler, lawyer,
rich members of that society? How would the
veriest pauper, indeed, outside of the hospitals
and houses of refuge, be satisfied with giving up
his liberty and hope offuture success for the Bit
ing chains aud endless blank despair of servi-
tude?
MOI If Messrs Morse, Belmont, Brooks, An
drews, Mason, Jarvis Lamont Duncan, Curtis,
Bryce and others who compose this " democrat
ic association, really believe that slavery is a
divine institution, parallel in it's sanctions and
benefcenee with civil government and the pa
rental relation, let them first submit to its re-
quirements; let them advertise themselves for
sale, or voluntarily take masters; and when they
have practised the principles they preach it will
be time to commend them to others ". 7. Post.
| What fire is this that so warmeth my hearth
| What light is this which so enhghteneth my
soul? o fire that always burneth, and never
goeth out, kndle me; 0 light which ever shi-
meth. and art never darkened, illuminate me;
that had my heat from thee, most holy firel