The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-28
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF CANDIDATEs.
SIaVery--Its BlIghtlng Effect upon
Free Government, DC.

Correspondence Of the Nashville Union 81
The question of slavery is now being
discussed throughout the State; its
baneful influence upon its future is ac-
knowledged b. large portion of the
loyal men of the country; they are sat
isfied that it is to the true interest of
Tennessee it should be abolished. The
principle of slavery, and its blighting
influence upon the happiness and the
prosperity of the people, was not per-
mitted to be discussed by public speak
ing, previous to the rebellion, or thro
the press. Itwas believed TO be impol.
itic and unsafe, as it might lead to in
surrection, &c, Laws were passed
making it high crime to write or speak
against the institution in way that its
deformity would be brought to view.
Public opinion sustained the law, and
hence the question of slavery had in
the State only advocates who favored
its existence and perpetuation. It's adj
vocates have advanced step by step un-
til the clergy of the south came in to
the aid of the laity, and declared it to
be Divine institution; and that doc
trine being proclaimed by some Of the
leading churches Of the south, it was
regarded a sin against God and the
country to question the right. Its de-
moralizing Influences were never held
up to the public gaze by its advocates,
consequently the non-slaveholding por-
ton of the State knew or thought but
little of its effects ~ 6f.
/ purpose to discuss the question, and
show that no country can prosper, for
any great length Of time, and retain
the institution. In the formation of
the government it was believed by its
founders that it was wrong, and they
expressed themselves as opposed to its
perpetuation. Franklin, Washington
and Jefferson were all in favor of the
emancipation Of the slaves. They re-
garded it as wrong, and curse upon
the country. The philosopher and
statesman, Benjamin franklin, devoted
the last years of his life to the ADOLF
ton of slavery in the State of Penn
sylvania He would be, if now living,
regarded as man unfit to associate
with southern shareholders, in aconse-
quence of his views on the question.
What has been its effect upon Ten
nessee2 No State possessed superior
advantages of soil, minerals and eli
mate, yet not one half Of her lands are
cultivated; the minerals are left in the
hills as nature placed them. The rich
lands have passed into the hands of
the STAKEHOLDER, and the poor man IS
compelled to emigrate to other States,
or cultivate lands that are not remu-
nerative; the consequence has been,
in the rich counties of Middleand West
Tennessee, the voting populotion has
decreased Tennessee became a mem
Der of the Union before the present
century. She is now entitled, un-
der the census of 1860, to eight rep
resentatives IN the Federal Congress,
while the States Of Illinois and In
diana, which became members long
after, have double that number Of Rep
resentatives. These States have now
each in the armies Of the1Union almost
as many men as there are voters in
Tennessee.
Does Slavery tend to enIighten and
elevate the mass of the peopiel The
census tables show there is At least fif-
teen per cent of the people that can
neither read nor write. Why Is this?
The poorer classes occupy the thin
lands, and have not the benefit Of edu-
cation, and are unable to give their
children the advantages Of il, eonse'
quentIy many are raised in ignorance
of the elementary principles Of know
ledge The contrast as presented BY
the census tables in Illinois and Indi-
ana, in this, is very striking There
must be cause. We are the same
race, the same people, from the same
ancestors. The answer is obvious to
every rejecting man, it is slavery = !
Again, slavery has very demoraIizing !
influence on the msAses, il degrades la
Dor, and creates eastes or distinctions |
in society that are destructive OF free |
Tto.f..o Il H. hscorrae 4