Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-04-28

men saw this SO clearly as John Quincy Adsms,
and the record he has here made shows with
what broad and statesmanlike judgment he
considered the subject, and how clearly bis view
penetrated the recesses OF the future. Record
ing discussion with Marx Laugdon Hill, rep
resentatiye in Congress from Maine, upon the
expressions Of a letter Of Mr.. Jefferson, the d.
AIRY remarks that Jefferson is one of the great
men whom this country has produced, one OF
the men who has contributed largely to the for
nation o. our national character, and adds
His Declaration OF Independence is an
abridged Alcoran o: political doctrine, laying
open the tr-t foundations OF civil society; but
ne does not appear to have been aware that it
also laid open a precinlce INTO which the slave
holding planters O. his country sooner or later
must fall. With the Declaration of Indepen-
dence on Their lips. and the merciless rcourge
OF slavery in their hands, more nagrant image
OF human inconsistency can scarcely be conceiy-
ed than one of orr Southern slave-holding re-
pnblicans. ...... The seeds OF the Declaration
are yet maturing The harvest will be what
West. the paiuteT. calls the terrible sublime.
Mark those expressions How prophetic they
are Reflect that this was in December, 1919.
But again, few days later, his mind evidently
strongly impressed with the subject, Mr.. Adams
says:
II take il for granted that the present Mis-
SOURI, question is mere preamble-a title page
to great tragic volume l have hitherto re-
served my opinion upon it, as 1t has been obvi-
ously proper for me to do. The time may, and
think will, come when it will be my duty equal
ly clear to give my opinion, and it is even now
proper for me TO begin the preparation of my
self for that emergency The President thinks
this question may be winked away by compro-
mise But 40 do not l. Much am | mistaken If 1t
Is not destined to survive his political and iudi-
yidual life and mine.
| He remarks, after conversation with MIR.
Lowndes Of South Carolina, the probability that
| the slavery party will prevail in the Missouri
| question: that in the Senate there is no one but
Rufus King on the side of "the simple free
men, able to cope in powers OF the mind with
| William rinknes, or James Barbour, while in
| the House the freemen have no one to contend
| with John Randolph or Clay. The slave men,
| too, he observes have deeper stake in the re-
suit, their interests are directly involved, and
their persons agtated, while to the North it is
but speculative question, and the people dc
not feel it in their persons or their purses. Ru-
fus King had plunged into the discussion of the
question ardently and without reservation, srgu'
| ing for freedom with great ability and eloquence
and the Diary says:
ave attended an evening party at Mr.. Cal
houns and heard Of nothing but the Missouri
| question and Mr.. Kings speeches. The slave
holders cannot hear OF them without being
seized with cramps. They call them seditiou,
and nfammstory. when their greatest real de
feet is their timidity. Never since human senti
ments and human conduct were influenced b.
human speech was there such theme for elo
quence like the free side of this question. b.
what fatality does it happen that all the mos
eloquent orators of Congress are on its sla'si
side. There is a great mass OF cool iud5men
| and plain sense on the side OF freedom and hu
manlty, but the ardent spirits and passions an
on the side OF oppression. Oh. If but one mai
could arise with genius capable of compre
bending, a heart capable of supporting, and al
utterance capable of communicating thos
eternal truths that belong to this question. Il
ay pare in all its nakedness that outrage upo
the goodness Of God, human slavery now
/ the time and this is the occasion upon whicl
such man would perform the duties OF an al
, gel upon earth
, | Even now, disunion was threatened til
consequence OF Northern resistance 10 the slav
aggressions. Adams talked with Henry Cla
on the Missouri debate, when the latter ''sai
it was shocking thing to think Of, but he ha
not doubt that within five years from thi
time Feb. 1s11l the Union would be divide
into three distinct coafeieecie-." He 'had no
a doub, e Think of Clay talking thus.
few days later, Mr. Adams had long convel
, sation with Calhoun. in which the latter sai
he did not think tie slavery question 'woul
produce a dissolution OF the Union but
it should the South would be- from necessit,
compelled to form an alliance. offensive an
: defensive. with Great Britain. Upon this cor
yersation-whch covered futher points tina
those which We are able TO lind space for-M
Adams remarks
III the dissolution OF the Union should rosu
. from the -lsve question it l. obvious as an,
/ thing that can be forc-eeu Of futurlty that
a mu=. shortly afterwarl be followed by the I'll
!, yersal emancipation Of tho slaves. Slavery
the foul stain upon the North American | Unio
: and it Is contemplation worthy OF the most e
It ated soul. whether it- Total abolition is or IL n
: practlcablc. II pracicable by what means
NAV be effected and Il choice of means
l. wit.un the scope Of the object. what meai
E. world accomplish Il 1t rle smallest cost Of Ia
j msn -uherance. \ dissolution. al least tempo
ar gry. of the Union AZ now constituted. would
certainly Necessary. aud the dissolution must
y upon point involving the question OF -laver
L. and no other. The Union might then be rec
r. sanized on the fundamental principal Of eman,
| pa.op. THIS object j. vast IN lis compass, s.
- iul in IL prospects. sublime and beautiful Ia
C. issue. life devoted to It would be nobly spe
u or sacrificed.
8 A review Of these interesting volumes. to
ia them full justice, must he extended far beyol
1e tile limit which We are able to give 10 it.
Z. receive the work from the publishers, J. B. l.
o: pinco,t L Co., Of Philadelphia. by the hsnd-
: Boughman Thomas & Co. of this city.