The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-12
SLAVERY DISCUSSED.
Prof. James Woodburn Delivers the First
Lecture Of the University Extension Course

Prof. James Albert Woodburn delivered
the first lecture Of the historical lecture
course at the Propy laum last night to o
full class. A number were present who
took tho course last year. The lecture was
on Slavery in the American Colonies and
in the Constitution" and entered largely
into the politics of the times. Prof. Wood
burns lectures are not only q comprehen-
sive statement of facts in most impressive
manner. but treat of the causes and effects
leading to and departing from them, that
are as en- pertaining as they are instructive.
There was scarcely q paragraph OF the
lecture. that proceeded along an old. old
subject, which did not contain some bright
new piece OF information that was news
to the class The Professors method 10 good
and his dissertations perfect pieces OF
literature.
Amelia Waring Platter secretary Of the
committee on university extension, pre-
ceded the lecturer with matter explana'
tory and introduced Professor Wood burn.
Taking mp the subject of slavery ct an
early date in the history of this country.
Mr.. WOODBURY. stated that IL was of
peculiar historic value. because the great
est struggle the Nation had ever known
had hung upon it. From colonial times
down TO the war the adyioes of the greatest
men In Amerlca on the subject We're briefly
reviewed. No historian had ever dared to
draw conclusions from, or generalize for.
the common sense of the people on the
subject of slavery. The Professor deplored
the fact that the history of slavery in its
entirety could not be handled. Macaulay
history of England covering period of go
years. He had written fifty years of II
when he died. Human slavery began be-
fore Heroditns wrote and continues to this
day. It had hourished before Christ.
African slavery was as old as human his
tory. All European nations had. as they
came from time to time to prominence.
been African man hunters. The history of
slavery was the history of avarice and re-
peated itself with pathetic monotOny.
England had been the most extensive
dealer In this human merchandise, and 1T
was in that country public sentiment had
first been reused against the traffic. At one
time the streets of Liverpool had been paved
with the bones of slaves.
The question of property and taxation
had agitated the question of slavery in
America. How should they be taxedf For
years the best minds had debated the ques-
tl0n. At one time man owning one thou
sand slaves voted with the force of six
hundred freemen. The word property" In
the Articles of Confederation, as 1t oc-
CURED before they were submitted,
was significant, for in the debate
that followed the slave question
was brought mp. Then came the
question as to whether or not men could be
tions of persons. The question of slavery had
played an important role, and had at last
been solved in blood over the pages OF
American history that should have been
the brightest
Next Friday night the subject will be
THE Missouri Compromise" After. the
lecture questions relating to the subject
were asked and answered.