Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-23

Ut, ueVeT. ,
1 know the predominant sentiment in the
free States is adverse to slavery; but, happy
in their own exemption from whatever evils
may attend it, the great mass of our fellow
citizens there do not seek to violate the con-
stitution, or to disturb the harmony of these
States. I desire no concealment of my opln-.
ions in regard to the institution of slavery. l
look upon it as great evil, and deeply lament
that we have derived it from the parental gov
ernment, and from our ancestors. wish ev-
ery slave in the United States was in the
country of his ancestors. But here they are,
and the question is how they can be best dealt
with? If a state of nature existed, and we
we're about to lay the foundations of society,
no man would be more strongly opposed than
I should be, to incorporate the institution OF
slavery among its elements. But there is an
incalculable difference between the original
formation of society and long existing or
ganized society, with its ancient laws, insttu.
tions, and establishments. Now, great as
acknowledge, in my opinion, the evils of sla-
very are they are nothing, absolutely moth
ing, in comparison with the far greater evils
which would inevitably flow from sudden,
general, and indiscriminate emancipation. In
some of the States the number OF slaves ap-
proximates toward an equality with that OF
the whites in one or two they surpass them.
What would be the condition of the two races
in those States, upon the supposition of an
immediate emancipation Does any man
suppose that they would become blended into
one homogeneous mass? Does any man re-
commend amalgamation-tha revolving ad'
mixture, alike offensive to God and man; for
those whom He, by their physical properties,
has made unlike and put asunder, we may,
without presumptuousness, suppose were never
intended to be Joined together in one of the
holiest rites. And let me tell you, sir, if you
do not already know it, that such are the
feelings-prejudice, if you please, (and what
man, claiming to be a statesman, will over
look or disregard the deep.seated and uncon-
querable prejudices of the people,)-in the
slaves states, that no human law would en-
force union between the two races.
What then would certainly happen? A
struggle for political ascendancy the blacks
seeking to acquire, and the whites to main
tain possession of the government. Upon the
supposition of general immediate emanciPa-
ton in those states where the blacks outnum-
Der the whites, they would have nothing to
do but to insist upon another part of the same
declaration of independence, as Dorr and his
deluded Democratic followers recently did IN
Rhode Island according to which, an unde-
fined majority have the right, at their pleas.
ure, to subvert an existing government, and
institute a new one in its place, and then the
whites would be brought in complete sublec.
tion to the blacks! A contest would inevita-
bly, ensus between the two races-civil war,
carnage, pillage, confagration, devastation,
and the ultimate determination OF expulsion
of the blacks Nothing is more certain. And
are not these evils far greater than the mild
and continually improving state of slavery
which exists in this country? | say contin-
ually improving; for if this gratifying prog.
ress in the amelioration of the condition OF
the slaves has been checked in some of the
states, the responsibility must attach to the
unfortunate agitation of the subject of aboli-
ton. In consequence of it, increased rigor
in the police, and further restraints have been
imposed; and do believe that gradual eman-
cipation, (the only method of liberation that
has ever been thought safe or wise by any
body in any Of the slave states,) has been
postponed half century.
Without any knowledge of the relation in
which stand to my slaves, or their individ-
ual condition, you, Mr.. Mendenhall, and your
associates, who have been active in getting up
this petition, call upon me forthwith to liber-
ate the whole Of them. Now let me tell you,
that some half dozen Of them, from age de-
crepitude, or in6rmity, are wholly unable to
gain livelihood for themselves, and are a
heavy charge upon me. Do you think that
should conform to the dictates of humanity
by ridding myself of that charge, and send
ing them forth into the world, with the boon
of liberty, to end wretched existence in
starvation Z? Another class is composed of
helpless infants with or without improvident
mothers. Do you believe, as christian, that
l should perform my duty towards them by
abandoning them to their fate Then there
is another class who would not accept their
freedom if would give it to them. have
for many years owned slave that l wished
would leave me- but he will not What shall
l do with that class
What my treatment of my slaves is you
may learn from Charles who accompanies me
on this journey, and who has travelled with
me over the greater part of the United States,
and in both the Canadas, and has had thous-
and opportunities, if he had chosen to en-
brace them, to leave me- Excuse me, Mr..
Mendenhall, for saying that my slaves are as
we'll fed and clad, look as sleek and hearty,
and are quite as civil and respectful in their
demeanor, and as little disposed to wound the
feelings of any one, as you are.
Let me recommend you, sir, to initiate the
benevolent example of the society of Friends,
in the midst of which you reside. Meek, gen.
tie, imbued with the genuine spirit of our be-
nign religion, while in principle they are firm
ly opposed to slavery, they do not seek to ac-
complish its extinction by foul epithets, coarse
and vulgar abuse, and gross calumny. Their
ways do not lead through blood, revolution,
and disunion. Their broad and comprehen-
sive philanthrophy embraces, as they believe,
the good and the happiness of the white as
well as the black race; giving to one their
commiseration, to the other their kindest sym.
pathy. Their instruments are not those OF
detracton and of war, but Of peace, persuasion,
and earnest appeals to the charities of the hu-
man heart Unambitious, they have no po-
! litical objects or purposes to subserve. My
! intercourse with them throughout life has
been considerable, interesting and agreeable
and venture to say, nothing could have in
duced them, as society, whatevera few indi-
viduals might have been tempted to do, to
seize the occasion of my casual passage
through this state to offer me personal in
dignity.
| respect the motives of rational abolition
lists, who are actuated by a sentiment Of devo-
tiou to human liberty although | deplore and