The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-10-02
A PROPHETIC VIEW.

.-
In 1854 the late Bishop Capers wrote a
letter from Anderson, S. c., to young
friend, Charles 3. Du Pre-, Esq, then a
young man, in answer to letter asking
his advice and opinion as to matters of a
public character, which at that time were
occupying the minds of the leading men of
the nation. The following prophecy COM
posed part of the late Bishops letter:
81 am, and have been for some time,
African slavery has been accomplished in
America, and that the institution in the
United States will soon cease to exist. l
form my conclusion from the progress of
events in the civilized world, and the won
derful developments of Christianity within
this century. The politico- economic view
of this question has been well taken by
Mr.. Fox in the exhaustive debate upon the
question of emancipation before the British
Parliament. No unprecedented mind can
follow that debate and fail to recognize the
finger of God indicating to man his duty,
and urging him to act in direct opposition
to his personal interests. An institution so
long grated upon the body polite of
nation, such as Great Britain, could have
been overthrown in no other way than by
the mysterious workings of Providence.
1t is simply ridiculous to charge the New
England Abolitionists with having origi-
mated the idea of Negro slavery, and with
having inaugurated the agitation of eman-
cipation. Certainly, no educated person
would so charge, unless he was appealing
to human passion upon the hustings.-
African slavery originated in mans natural
cupidity, and was an institution of Great
Britain's before there was a New England
known in America. Emancipation came
first to be discussed in England as an ad-
RANGED idea Of Christian civilization, and
can be distinctly traced to the most evan
gelical of the Christian Church in Eng
land. Such, at any rate, is my view of
this whole matter, in this, my sixty fourth
year, after having examined the question
in every way it presented itself to my mind
So far, then, from regarding the institution
as permanent, do not recognize the first
feature Of genuine vitality in it. How it
is to transpire, whether by gradual sys-
tenn of emancipation, fixed in our organic
law by amendments, or whether in the
storm of revolution, know not; but as
sure as 1 am now writing to you, my dear
brother, the institution of slavery in these
United States is doomed. l do not think
that any candid student of history, or any
unbiased observer of events as they are
now transpirng, can resist this conclusion
Why, man alive, there is now abroad in
our land the very spirit which, if encour-
aged, will lead to the overthrow of the
institution in the wreck and the awful
ruin of revolution. My opportunity for
observation in the South and West for the
past ten years assures me that unless our
madcap politicians adopt some more con-
cliatory position and compromise their
extreme partisan views, the two great par
ties of principles, fixed in State economy,
will be lost in sectional bitterness, and an
early Presidential election secure the tri-
umph of the Abolition Party. This will
bring about secession on the part of those
States who are unwilling to compromise
the pride of abstract rights; and them
shudder at the thought-a bloody revolu-
ton, accompanied by the material ruin of
the South. Slavery, if this comes to pass,
will be abolished by the decree of mill.
tary tribunal, and the pride of my people
fearfully humbled before God.
This is an awful picture for me even to
suggest, but, as l contemplate it, my soul
sickens within me. Repel it as l may;
Danish it from my mind as a mere fancy;
yet it grows upon me as a hideous reality,
which may a merciful God spare me the
pain of realizing.
Since the death of Mr.. Calhoun there
seems not to be a statesman left in the
South of sufficient power to control the
storm, which his States Right theory has
provoked. The public men seem to me to
be either the satellites of opinions or mere
local luminaries, rejecting the wild aud
weird light Of passion. No one seems dis
posed to compromise any opinion, preju-
dice or fancy, because all are wild with
this doctrine of rights"