The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-26

other facts, as they actually exist.
The nations among whom the institution
Of slavery no longer exists can only bring
abstract theory 10 bear upon the question,
and on the contrary, those among whom II
still exists can only judge of it as they find
it eXemplited by their surroundings and
experiences.
Abstract theory would abolish slavery by
a decree Of government; practically 1t is to
be "A gradual emancipation, brought about
by time the progress Of the cOl0red race,
and the march Of civilization.
II does not belong TO the govern ment at
Richmond to settle the question Of enamel
patton, be it either gradual or immediate;
that is matter for the individual States
within whose boundaries slavery still exists.
The Constitution OF the Confederate States
is not, as some writers insist, a cOnstitu
ton of which slavery is the Keystone. On
the contrary, it establishes categ0rically
that the states which no longer retain this
institution will he admitted on equal terms
into the new confederation.
Those States possessing slaves and forming
already "A portion Of the COnfederacy can
cmancipate them whenever 1t may
be the will OF the local government
10 do so. The statesmen who iolmed the
new con. titutiOn fOresaw very clearly that
must cease 10 exist in the border
States at much earlier period than in the
cotton-raising districts; and this constitu-
ton declares positively that the trade in
slaves is abolished and must remain SO in
perpetuity. The desire for this abolition has
existed in the Southern States since the be-
ginning Of the present century, and has
met with its chief resistance from the states
Of the North, who first originated the trail
tic but who to-day make IL the preteXt Tor
Il civil war.
al - lao.
race in the South we find that they arrived
from Africa in a state of degradation, I'M
common even among the most savage ma
tons. They are for the most part prisoners
of war, who are only too happy 10 escape by
from the cruel death To which
they are otherwise doomed.
On arriving in America they fall under
the influence Of an advanced civilization,
and by the care and protection Of
masters, whose manners are gentle
and patriarchal, they are sheltered from
want and suffering and find that they have
again "A domestic hearth and home. IL Is
thus that the South has done more for the
civilization and social progress Of the negro
than the generous missionaries VINO ven
ture, at the peril of their lives, into the
midst of those savage tribes that people
the interior Of Africa.
We will add for the ediiicatiOn of the
more incredulOus Of our readers that there
exist in all the States Of the South special
laws for the protection Of the negroes IN life
and limb. The white man who murders a
negro escapes capital punishment with
much more difficulty than if the crime were
perpetrated on one Of his own race and
color.
Furthermore, the laws for the protection
OF the negro from the cruelties Of master
Ir 81. "A "a
case should arise in which a cruel master
would md it possible 10 evade the legal
penalty Of his crime he would find public
opinion more potent than the law in i'm
posing upon him the doom Of social degra-
datiOn and ostracism.
The separation Of the husband and wife,
or OF children from their parents is forbidden
by law in many States, and in all it is con-
trary to custom aud popular sentiment, ex-
cept in cases where such separation Is de-
sired by the interested parties.
The buying and selling Of negroes is no
longer carried on, and il they are sometimes
transported from one state 10 another, II is
only when their masters accompany them
in their migration.
There are schools in the South where they
are taught TO :, ad and to write, churches
where they hear the bible read. and listen
to christian preachers. Upon the planta-
tiOns the sons and daughters OF the plan
ters frequently devote their time TO the
education of the younger slaves in reading,
writing and needewOrk.
Finally, the law never has opposed the
emancipation Of slaves in the Southern
states. The last census returns state Of
dci ally that during the ten years elapsing
between 1850 and 1860 twenty thousand
were emancipated.
XXxII.-RECOGNIIION
Ills native land and his domestic hearth
are mans most precious possessions upon
earth, whether he be savage or civilized.
TO their service and care he deyotes his life
and labor, and when they are menaced. in
vaded. or injured. he defends them with all
the energies Of his soul and body, holding
rs nOught all Sacrifices of lie or property he
may be called on TO make. 1t is the in
,tincts Of our nature which prompt him u
this for the preservation of his race and the
GOd-giycn love of freedom and right. The
Confederate States present us now perfect
picture of this terrible struggle, a struggle
more colossal in proportions and heroic III
its actions than any Of which history tells,
where people has determined TO wiring
from an implacable enemy, at any sacrifice,
the right of dwelling peacefully IN the land
which is theirs by the gift OF their Creator
and which their labor has enriched and
Deautihed.
For three years Europe has been an i'm
passive spectator Of the devastation COM
mitted by the inhabitants OF one
bali Of continent upon the other
half. and now the question OF recognition
. one which ought not longer 10 be de-
rerred; if not on account OF Its political I'M
pOrtance. it at least deserves consideration
in its commercial aspect. The hour seems
10 have arrived for Europe TO lift her voice
in the name of humanity. and to unite her
efforts to those IN which the Emperor OF the
French has already taken the initiative. for
the sake of putting an end to so many evils.
There would be but one word 10 utter, one
step 10 take. Admit the confederate
states of America into the great family
of nations. and the troubles would disap-
pear as quickly as if they obeyed the wand
Of an enchanter,
We are aware that in this opinion we
differ with many OF the ablest statesmen in
| Europe. They assert, on the contrary, that
| the mere fact of "recOgnitiOn" would pro-
| duce no effect on the belligerents, nor would
| il alter the mode OF conducting the war;
that such course OF action would only az
grayate the evil, and the powers that fol-
Lowed il would necessarily be- drawn into
the struggle by a general declaration OF
war on the part OF the Northern states.
This danger need not be dreaded. IL is not
even within the bounds OF possibility
The gJvernment at Washington breads
the recognition Of the new Confederacy, be-
cause when 1t has once taken place 1t Will
he impossible for them to continue the war
That portion OF the Northern people who
sympathize with the South will seize eagerly
upon any pretext for terminating contest
which, In their eyes, is uncalled for ard
useless. The truly religious portion Of the
clergy, who still can BIZ found In the North