The Portland daily press., 1864-11-21
The Rebel Oorner-Stone.

published to the world the following senti-
ments. and that, too, long after he had made
very able and logical speech against the Sc
cession Of his own State. Speaking Of the
rebel Confederacy, he says
Its foundations are laid, its corner stone
rests upon the great truth that the negro ia
not equal to the white man; that slavery.
subordination to the superior race, is his natu-
raj and normal condition. This, our new gov
eminent, is the first in the history of the
world based upon this great physical, philo-
sophical and moral truth.
The speech, from which the above is an ex-
tract,is indeed remarkable one to be dehv-
cred in the latter half of the nineteenth centu-
ry, when the true democratic doctrines OF the
New Testament are supposed to be pretty wen
understood, and to have some influence IN Inc
world But it only shows us what the bright
est genius may do when operated upon by bad
influences.
Human bondage the corner stone upon
which rests the Southern Confederacyi The
fact that it does thus rest is much clearer than
the philosophy that attempts to Justify it,
But what d. we now see, after nearly four
years OF war waged in behalf of this corner
stone which the builders of the Confederacy
did not refuses How stands now the founda-
ton of the great rebellion? Is the corner
stone still firmly embedded in Southern soil
Is the superstructure raised upon it, so beau
tiful to Southern eyes, safely constructed and
in no danger of falling? Is it not shaken by
every northern breeze, and does not its foun-
dation tremble as with an earthquake since
the result of the late Presidential election is
known in rebeldomp
Again, may we not ask with much proprie-
ty, who have dug round and pried up this cor
ner stone? Who has rendered it unsafe as
foundation for the ConfederacyP Who has
broken it in pieces? Who, we ask in all Sc
robustness, but those who laid it and built up
on it9 True, as Gen. Butler once said, "South-
ern rebels are the greatest abolitionists in our
whole countryp They have proved them
selves to be so, and now seem determined to
pulverize this "corner stone" and scatter its
dust to the four winds of heaven. They
have been made mad, and now the world be-
gins to witness the legitimate results of such
AAAeNNAN1oe
combined, aided by those in Europe, could
not have given this "corner stone" such q
disastrous shaking in so short time as the
Shareholders themselves have given.
But the slave oligarchy is not yet satisfied
They have not done enough for the entire de-
struction Of their peculiar institutions" at
least, so it seems. They now seriously talk
of conscripting the slaves, putting arms into
their hands and sending them to the 'front.'
This question produces much excitement in
rebellion at this time. Some strenuously ad-
vocate the measure, others as strenuously op-
pose it, while JEFF. Davis goes betwixt and be-
tween. What the result Of all such agitation
may be, it is difficult to conjecture. The dis
cussion of the subject shows clearly that the
rebellion is tottering to its fall.
1t seems to us that conscripting and arm
ing the slaves may be attended with no small
danger to the cause of the Confederacy. Ne.
groes are far from being fools, oppressed and
downtrodden as they are, and we believe the
authorities at Richmond will hesitate a long
while ere they put guns upon their shoulders
and teach them how to shoot
1t is possible that desperation and madness
may conscript and arm the slaves, but moth
ing short of that can drive the rebels into the
inauguration OF such dangerous measures
In view Of The dark prospects before them,
they may say, Slavery has gone to the devil
anyhow, and we may as well do one thing as
another" jeff Davis, in his recent message.
hocr cd Al 50
adroitly, now advocating and anon ignoring
it, very much after the fashion and style in
which Mcclellan approached the Chicago
platform. Both have acted as if they were In
great quandary.
Fiat lur was the cry of the people after Nc
Clellan had written his letter of acceptance,
but no light was received, and the election OF
Father Abraham buried the Chicago candidate
SO deep that no sound can reach him. So it
will be withJeff. Davis when the spell OF bis
military power shall have been broken, as
broken it must be. and that ere many moons
shall wax and wane. Let JEFF. Davis say
what he may in speech or message, let him
whistle his most fascinating melodies to keep
his own courage up and that of his coadju-
tors, the rebellion must collapse and the stars
and stripes float in the same southern breezes
where now floats the Confederate rag.
Among all the signs of the growing weak
ness of the rebellion we have recently wit
messed in southern skies, there is none more
significant than the agitation of conscripting,
arming and emancipating the slaves. Viewed
in all its aspects and bearings, this movement
among the shareholders is pregnant with great
possibilities. The adoption of such meas
ure may lead to most fearful consequences
boon long and unrighteously withheld NAV
not, when given. placate the ire and quench
the fires which have been SO long burning in
the hearts Of the oppressed, down-trodden
and enslaved. Such fires may be smothered
for time, but little breeze, blowing from
the right quarter, may re-kindle them into a
blaze that will scorch and wither, like burning
lava, everything green and beautiful in its
course.
we know not what vials of wrath NAV vet
be poured upon the heads of sIayeholders.-
Wicked men are sometimes left to be their
own executioners. Should they put weapons
into the hands of slaves to fight those who ara
striving to sustain the nations life. these
weapons may be turned against those who
furnished them.
Such a demonstration would not be an
anomaly, nor furnish anything new for the pa
ges of history. Such things have been, and
may be repeated. Jefferson said, 81 tremble
for my country when remember that God is
just" And shareholders of the present day
have even greater cause to tremble than the
Father Of Democracy" had when he made
the above exclamation.
Ii the rebels receive the logic of events as
demonstration against slavery SO powerful
that it cannot be overcome tbav nav ho nil,