Southern views.

What a blood-stained code that must be, which is calculated for the restraint of millions held in bondage. Such must our unhappy country exhibit, unless we are both wise and just enough to avert from posterity the calamity and reproach which are otherwise unavoidable."

'Mr. JEFFERSON asks, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure, when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people, that their liberties are the gift of God?"

'JUDGE WASHINGTON, in a speech before the Colonization Society, expressed the decided hope that colonization "would lead to the slow, but gradual abolition of slavery," and "wipe from our political institutions, the only blot which stains them."

'GEN. HARPER, has spoken of slavery as 66 a great moral and political evil, of increasing virulence and extent, from which much mischief is now felt, and very great calamity in future, is justly apprehended."

GEN. MERCER remarks, "The hope of the gradual and utter abolition of slavery, in a manner consistent with the rights, interests, and happiness of society, ought never to be abandoned."

• W. H. FITZHUGн, Esq., who proved the sincerity of his remarks, by the liberation of all his slaves, and by a liberal provision for them in Liberia, bears this testimony-" Slavery, in its mildest form, is an evil of the darkest character. Cruel and unnatural in its origin, no plea can be urged in justification of its continuance but the plea of necessity-the necessity which requires us to submit to existing evils, rather than substitute by their removal, others of a more serious and destructive character. There is no rivetted attachment to slavery prevailing extensively, in any portion of our country. Its injurious effects on our habits, our morals, our indi

Southern views.

vidual wealth, and more especially on our national strength and prosperity, are universally felt, and almost universally acknowledged."

WILLIAM GASTON, of North Carolina, formerly a distinguished member of Congress, and now on the bench of the Supreme Court of that State, in an address before a literary and philanthropic society in the University of North Carolina, in 1832, says "On you will devolve the duty which has been too long neglected, but which cannot with impunity be neglected much longer, of providing for the mitigation, and (is it too much to hope for in North Carolina?) for the ultimate extirpation of the worst evil that afflicts the southern part of our confederacy. * * Disguise the truth as we may, and throw the blame where we will, it is slavery which, more than any other cause, keeps us back in the career of improvement." "How this evil is to be encountered, how subdued, is indeed a difficult and delicate inquiry."

* *

'COL. DRAYTON, of South Carolina, in the course of an elaborate speech in Congress, not long since, sketched a picture of slavery, and a brief of the views of the South, which was reported in the words following. Col. Drayton was ever regarded as not only a man of distinguished talents, but as remarkable for his candour, excellent judgment, and honourable feelings. "There was not a person who more deeply commiserated slaves than he did; but while their pillows are planted with thorns, their masters do not repose on downy beds. The miseries extended to the whole circle of society in which they move. He spoke from actual experience of these miseries. Could he destroy the evil, no zealous fanatic would more easily try to extirpate it than his fellow-citizens of the South and himself. None know more the misery of slavery than those who hold slaves.

666

Misrepresentations and unkind remarks.

Slavery is indeed a bitter draught, and though thousands are made to drink of it, yet still it is a bitter draught. Such are the peculiar habits of slaves, that they will enjoy the song and the dance, and spend the night in revelry and feasting, while the master is stretched on a sleepless couch. Would one feeling thus wish to perpetuate the evil! Let not such a mistake prevail. It is the interest of the master to ameliorate the condition of the slaves as much as he can ; and those mistaken philanthropists who, without understanding the situation of that part of the country, intrude their efforts at amelioration, only make the condition of the slave more wretched. No one can administer successfully to a disease who is ignorant of its character. No one can beneficially prescribe, who is ignorant of the effect of the medicine he administers. The citizens of the South know how far to go with safety to themselves, and he who ignorantly interferes, converts intended benefits into serious injuries. The Southern citizens know, but they suffer none others to interfere. Interference they consider as an injury, and are disposed to resent it as an insult. When gentlemen talk of government having a right to interfere, they speak without proper consideration."

Such are the opinions of gentlemen of eminent talents, all of whom are, or were, of the South; most of whom, if not all, have been extensive proprietors of slaves.

'It certainly becomes us to be open to conviction, and willing to receive the truth. It is a great misfortune, growing out of the actual condition of the several states, some being exempt from, and others liable to, the evils of slavery, that they are too prone to misrepresent the views and wishes of each other in respect to it.'

In some publications, Pa,' said Caroline, which Henry

H

Severity of remark unwise.

and I have been looking over since these conversations began, we have seen some very unkind remarks respecting the South, calculated to wound the feelings of her citizens deeply, and exceeding severe on some of the gentlemen whose language you have quoted. In a file of the Liberator, a writer, who is thought to be Mr. Garrison, having selected certain passages from the writings of such men as Mr. Clay, Gen. Harper, Gen. Mercer, Mr. Harrison, President Caldwell, and others, exclaims-" Ye crafty calculators! ye hard-hearted, incorrigible sinners! ye greedy and relentless robbers! ye contemners of justice and mercy! ye trembling, pitiful, pale-faced usurpers! my soul spurns you with unspeakable disgust!" I cannot think that good men, even among abolitionists, can approve of this language.'

'Such severity of denunciation against those who are among the wisest and best men of the country,' remarked Mr. L., is wrong, very wrong; and I cannot think it is approved by any considerable portion of the community. Whoever the writer was, he is deserving of reprehension. His course will rivet the chains of slavery, not loose them.

'It were well for our country, and better for our coloured population, especially for the slaves, if, in regard to this. whole matter, every citizen were to cherish kindly and charitable feelings. The last advice of our illustrious Washington was, "FROWN INDIGNANTLY ON THE FIRST DAWNINGS OF EVERY ATTEMPT TO ALIENATE ANY PORTION OF OUR COUNTRY FROM THE REST, OR ENFEEBLE THE SACRED TIES WHICH NOW LINK TOGETHER THE VARIOUS PARTS.

999

Introduction of slavery.

CONVERSATION X.

We determined not to suffer slavery there; but the slave merchants and their adherents occasioned us not only much trouble, but at last got the then government to sanction them. We would not suffer slavery, (which is against the gospel, as well as the fundamental law of England,) to be authorized under our authority; we refused, as trustees, to make a law permitting such a horrid crime. The government, finding the trustees resolved firmly not to concur with what they thought unjust, took away the charter by which no law could be passed without our consent.”—Oglethorpe.

Good morning, my daughter-good morning, Henry,' said Mr. L., as he entered the parlour, quite early in the morning, 'shall we now, although earlier than our usual hour for conversation, turn our attention again, for a few minutes, to the subject of Africa's wrongs, and the unfortunate relation to her children, into which our country has been introduced by the policy of England, and the cupidity of her traders in human flesh? I think we shall have an hour before the time for family prayer.'

6

Caroline and Henry were both pleased with the proposition. • Will tell you us, Pa,' said Caroline, at what time slaves were first brought to this country, and where they were sold. I shall be gratified to be more familiar with the facts that assure us that our country is not responsible for the original introduction of slavery to the western. world.'