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, A
B. Ji. SANDERS, Chairman
OF EX- COM- OF GEO. BAP- CONVENTION,
New Series—Vol. XVII.
tip? mm mz amr mm
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[Frost die Christian Observer.]
“ISMS” AN D ““PRINCIPLES-”
Gtfo’s WAYS AXB JSAlt’s WAYS.
Some two months ogo, Iremeus,’ who Is understood
to be one of the Editors of* the ??ew ,York Observer,
writing from Boston, in relation. td’Mfen, matters utid
thin os in New sent mrt'ad ■ j|
saurpapertlic following n; ■‘; y < ..
‘•And now tliat has, %at jt ; ’
self at Its own stake, the ancient anti-slavery #sai-j
men 1 tha’ respects the rights oi Hie States, the leberii',
coio.'tlUiti.■!). aud the well-being of the slave, is rising’
and swelling, and will make itself felt in power over
Ibis grea t confederacy. As to the extension of shive-i
ry over territory now free, there are'scarcely two
opinions. Nine-ten dis of the north are inilexibly op
posed to it. And I Have been amazed to see how far
the consequences of this purpose have been calculated.
Grave ami reverend men, cautious and prayerful, who
would die tor principle as readily as they goto bed when
weary, will calmly tell you that they are prepared to
see the Union of the Stales dissolved, before'they will
***** pver soft nosy!
free from tlie tread* of a slave. 1 believe this is the
prevalent feeling at the East and the North. It is not
my feeling. lam opposed to the extension of slavery,
but I would not dissolve the Union to prevent it. J
think there is a better remedy than this, which is no
remedy. But the North is resolved, as one man, to
have no further responsibility for slavery—and I be
lieve that resolution will be carried out at tiie expense,
if necessary, of the federal union. Our Southern breth
ren should know this, and let us both, and all sit down
and ‘calculate the value of the Union.’ It was once
treason to do it. It is not treason any longer. Very
good patriots are figuring at it now. It is a long sum, 1
and the answers do not agree.”
The following remarks on the positions taken in this
paragraph, are from a writer in the Southern Presby
terian.
A REPLY FROM THE SOUTH.
As it is probable the time is now near, when the “fig
ures” in this calculation must be added up and the frac
tions distributed according to the rule ol “the strongest
take and hold,” we felt it an incumbent duty, so far as
our medium of communication may extend, to let “our
Southern brethren” know what “calculations are made!
at the North.” Hence we copy this article. Our
thanks are due to Irenaeus for his information and sug-’
gestions. And as we desire to be equally kind toward
our nothern brethren, in letting them know by what
rule, and after what example we “calculate,” we shall (
feel greatly obliged to him if he will pass our calcula-j
tions “up north,” through his columns. And
Ist. We have supposed we Plight reasonably “cal-j
culate” that “grave and reverend men, cautions and|
prayerful,” could not well demur from the example, the!
permissions and the teachings of the Great Proprietor!
of all lands,as it regards the manner in which countries
may, with propriety, be settled. Well, there was once;
a country which was to be taken possession of, and oc
cupied by another race of inhabitants. It was “a good-!
jy land,” “a land flowing with milk and honey”—the
most delightful region, it is supposed, of all the earth.
It was the promised inheritance of God’s chosen peo
ple—was a type of the heavenly rest, and was to be;
settled ior the noblest of all purposes—the true exhibi
tion of the principles of justice and equity in civil gov
ernment; and the preservation and the upbuilding of
the Church of the living God, under an immediate the
ocratic sway. The Lord God himself took the settle
ment of that country into his own hands. It is, how
ever, a remarkable fact, that no proclamation ofj
“free soil,” preceded the movement. On the contrary,
Editor.
Penfield, Georgia, Thursday, February 8, 1849.
though he had all the world before him to select from,
he called from a distaut. qpnntrV a niian who was a
slave-holder, and said to him. “ftp thee will I give if,
;uid to thy seed forever.” Th Wion lie not only made
proprietor and pioneer of thfomood land, and that in
full view of the horror which mM in future ages would
feel at the idea of “the extension of the curse over soil
now free from the tread of a slat ebut he made him
also the head ofJiis visible the “father” or pal
tern of all who should come itl fir him—-entering into
covenant with him and callrj g him ••Abraham m\
friend”—a rojtt whom many n>w would not admit to
membership in their churches This same man. and
in that land, too, we soon find a possession of three
hundred and eighteen servants iprn in his house, and
capable of the defence and rei rue of It is property. —
What, then; must the whole nu obei have been ? To
jtho descendants also of Abraht h, it was said respec
jling the heathen natir,ng.^ f LV . children olllie stran-
Wffeampng thetn if that land, “Os them
buy, aud M their lawwfs—ami they shall he
jyour p Mission —fe shall t ike them as an inheri-j
‘..••nee lor your children aflW>Ja.” Lev. xxv. ir>,K>.
! Nor yet did this permission aui],divine sanction as to
•Ibis mode of settlement of extend to part’
jonly, but to the whole of theAlerritory to be acquired
and settled —and that to all generations. Now these
i are facts which no man can cobtyivert. They show!
that Ggd’s wmys and man’s wafs of doing the same!
[thing, sometimes “widely differ. /Those who denounce
[their fellow-men for following tiis model —it becomes 1
them to point out a higher authd it y, and t. present n
j more worthy example*. We aA'content with this, j
2d. We would na'turally “calculate” that men “who,
(Would die for principle as readily* as to go to bed when
{weary,” would be mostVrupeloydy just, as it regards;
’ the rights of their fellow-men.* But there is probably
no principle which more fully commands the assent of
mankind, than this : “That territory acquired at tiie ex
pense of the common blood and treasure of any gov
jernrneiit, belongs in common, and of equal right to all
jits citizens.” Thus was the territory in question ac- :
Iquired. Jt was moreover acquired by a nation, and
under a constitution which admits and guarantees to a
large portion ol its citizens the right to employ slave
labor in the cultivation of their lands. Any prohibition!
oi this right, in a due proportion at least of this new’
| territory, would in effect he a deprivation ol right to
the territory itself. Men of “principle” surely do noi
intend to be guilty of sogross a violation of this univer-j
sally admitted right. They may dissolve this govern-!
unent; but the lull and unquestionable right on the
‘part of the people of the south to a full proportion of
that territory, they cannot do away. Violation of right,
or permission of its unrestricted exercise—to one or
the other ol these they must come.
Ud. The wisdom and abounding goodness of God
have been most signally displayed in the founding, the
protection, and the upbuilding of this government. Jts
character and its progress have no parallel. Already
has it become the guiding pillar, the protecting cloud
to many nations. Its light and energy and moral influ-i
‘ence are encircling the globe. Its destiny for great
iness arid high achievements in promoting the highest
‘good of man and the greatest glory of God, no mortal!
eye can foresee, no mortal mind comprehend. This
[greatness, and this hopeful destiny, under God we owe
Ito the union of these States. Preserve it, and onward,
jonward, with illimitable advances we move, a blessing
to all the world, pronounced blessed by all who behold or
feel our influence. Dissolve it, and you dismember the
noblest structure on earth ; and instead of our now on
jward and hopeful career, you introduce—you know
not what—under the old reign of Confusion arid Night.
A fearful responsibility is theirs who take hold of these
pillars. Sam-son-like, eyeless and maddened, they
iinay die amidst the ruins by which others are crushed;
but what have they gained ? Yes that is the question;
and thither let the “calculation” bend. We admire a j
self-sacrificing spirit—a Curatius-like devotion for the
good of one’s country and mankind; but to doom one’s
self for destruction’s sake, involving all in ruin without
the hope or pretence of benefit, if this be “death for
principle,” those may “wear who win” the martyr’s
crown. Irenoeus himself being judge, this were no
remedy at all. Bondmen would be bondmen still.—
The soil to which the south is entitled would be hers ;
tiie north overturning tiie huge pillars of government,!
THE TRUTH IN LOVE.
JAMES T. BLAIAj Printer.
[for that only, which even now, bv the consent of all
‘she may’ claim and take—her constitutional share !
Surely “grave and reverend men,cautious and prayer
ful,” will not pursue so reckless and ruinous a course.
jOn this also we may certainly “calculate.’,
4th. “But the North is resolved as one. man, to have
no further responsibility for slaver;/; and I believe that
resolution will be carried out at tin expense, if necessa
ry, of the federal Union.” This is certainly taking
very strong ground ; hut whether high or low’ ground
may admit of a question. VVe are not certain that we
understood all that was intended to be implied in this
; declaration. There is certainly a sense in which the
! north lias no farther responsibility to take. Theques
-1 tion of common right to the (required territory was set-
I tied ages ago. AH that now remains, is, to ascertain
the proper quota of each section, and define the lines of
demarcation. This surely need not in any sense en
danger the Union. If, however, the meaning of Ire
n;cus was, that the north would, even at the risk of a
dissolution of the Union, exclude the south with her
guaranteed institutions from her proper portion of that
territory—this is what we have said, men of ‘princi
| pie’ cannot ell'ect. Or if lie meant, that tiie north
would in such a case, withdraw from tiie Union, and
! I thus wash her hands of any ‘father responsibility for
slavery;’ we have only to say, that the relations of man
! towards his fellow man ; and of man toward iiis God,
! !o not always admit of men’s saying how much or how
‘little responsibility they will take. The Priest and the
Levite, ‘grave and reverend, cautious and prayerful’
! men in ancient times, were of this class. They were
1 uo ‘responsibility’ men; but, before the great white
! throne when the books shall be opened, it will be seen
t that relations and responsibilities were already upon
I them—their passing by ‘on the other side’ did not shake
them. i4ll Juyt sain .Ry the,jo jut act of
Old England, New England, and the Southern Colo
nies, relations were established between the white pop
ulation of this country and the African race. -Those
relations created responsibilities. The present gener
ation were born under those responsibilities. Those
’ relations are of a high moral, as well ns civil nature ;
|(and they respect in measure the whole nation, for we
jare all one people. Every part of the Union sustains
i relations to every other part. And these relations are
! for good and not for evil. The south is performing a
noble work in improving the physical condition, furn
ishing religious instruction and elevating the morgl
character of her colored population. In this she de
; serves the countenance and encouragement of men of
! ‘principle and prayer.’ The relation between Abra
ham and his servants was doubtless in every respect
[ as desirable as that of employer and employed has gen
erally been. We see no reason why it should not be
so here—nay, it would be, but for the unwise and un
righteous interference of mistaken zealots in other
! parts. Antagonistic positions of necessity produce
stringency of regulations, deprivation of privileges and
j consequent sinking on the scale of moral elevation.—
jThe combinations and the movements to which Irenae
!! us refers, are those of direct antagonism to the south.
|They tower also to amazing heights, over-topping the
Union itself. Whether then, those men are either dis
charging their own moral responsibility, or likely, in
any manner to benefit the slave, for whose welfare
their deep sympathies are excited, we leave for them
to decide. Withdrawing, standing aloof, denouncing,
threatening, thwarting and harrassing—these never
can elli*et any good. The course ol the good Samari
tan was vastly different.
i The value of the Union we shall not pretend to ‘cal
culate’. We regard it ol inestimable worth. Wo
shall neither consent to‘figure’in that line, nor shall we
envy those who do. The ‘answer we shall calmly
wait from those who have resolved to ‘die for princi
ple’—well content ourselves to live for duty, benefit
ting all we can, whether south or north.
Use of Adversity. —Do not expect nor desire continued
prosperity. A good spice of adversity is the very tiling you
need, to give strength, vigor and elasticity to the mind; and,
in fact to mature and perfect the whole man, body and soul.
Sun and shade, wet and dry, cold and heat, aro what is want
ed to produce and ripen good fruit. A few storms only
serve to make the tree root deeper and stand firmer. Hard
rubs will polish the diamond, and makoitshirie more bril
liantly. Brushing will purify the garment and make it all
the better.— Boston Rambler,
Number 6.