The colored Tennessean., 1865-08-12
Slavery in Kentucky---In Articu1o
Morris.

Wretched and ignonimous is the death of
slavery in Kentucky. The last convulsions
in which it is writhing excite no sympathy
but everywhere loathing and aversion
Friends and foes alike turn away from the
already purifying carcass, struggling be
tween life and death. Slavery in the rebel
lious States had at least the honor that its
finale was attended by some grand and heroic
scenes. 1t died in open battle, on the bloody
field, the sword in hand, and amid the belchJ
ing of cannon and the pomp Of war. 1t re
ceived its death wounds upon defiant brow
and barred bosom, extorting even from it's
enemy the admission that it had fought with
8 valor worthy of a better cause.
Still more heroic was the example Of the
border slave States of Missouri, Maryland
and West Virginia, which, like Kentucky,
clung to Union and slavery both When they
saw that the latter impeded the cause of the
Union, they cast it from them, that in the
front ranks of battle they might resist free
and unencumbered, the wildly advancing foe.
That " slavery in Kentucky is dead," that
is, has lost its vital principle, is conceded
by its warmest friends; but they refuse to re-
move and bury the disgusting carcass.
Slavery is no longer profitable to any one
The present social condition of our State is
an inconvenience and a burden to the slave
holders themselves, and yet that condition
must remain-must be maintained as long
as possible. We cannot account for this OBJ
stinacy except by the childish caprice of these
barons, that take comfort from the fact that
its own injury also hurts others. " 1t serves
my daddy right-why didn't he buy gloves
for me ?" said the boy whose hands were
chillblained. In the same manner the Ken
tucky shareholders feel grim satisfaction,
because, by their stubbornness, they can
hamper the progress of the Union, although
it prove their own ruin. Let them chuckle,
they do not gain by it in the estimation of
Meanwhile, the process of dissolution of
the peculiar institution goes on unmolested.
General Palmer's celebrated order, through
which thousands of former slaves got their
travelling papers to the land of liberty last
month, is now made use of throughout the
States. A correspondent writes from Camp
Nelson that the headquarters of Colonel Bier
brauer are actually besieged by negroes ap-
plying for passes. They come, Afric's sons
and daughters-come en- foot, on horseback
and in wagons, arrayed In festive dresses,
with picaninnies by the hands and in their
arms, to convince themselves that 'the year
oh iubilo" has come indeed.
1T IS not aversion to labor that impeis them.
1t is the love Of liberty, implanted by nature
in the breast of every creature that hath life.
The correspondent asked one Of the group:
"Where win you 60 now to find occupa-
tion?'
Back home. Massa said we might 60 and
get our passes. He lent US his horse and
wagon, and promised us wages. We are
going back to him"
But in another group the answer to
the question whether they were going back,
was:
mo, sir. Our master told US if we got
passes that we need not go back to his
house"
''WeN, what are you going to do r.
"Mr. - promised to hire US We are
going to him There are plenty OF places
where we are needed"