Fiat Justitia Ruat Cœlum. Ladies' Repository. Philanthropic and Literary. PRINCIPALLY CONDUCTED BY A LADY. serate, that they almost uniformly deny the lawfulness of all war; they cannot, therefore, wish to awaken it in its most horrible aspect, and in a cause in which they have no other interest than that which is stirred in their own hearts by the claims of humanity, justice, and religion. We give below some paragraphs from the article of which we have spoken; and we cannot but repeat our regret, that any portion of our sisters of the south (for we cannot believe that all of them do so) should entertain such sentiments on the subject of slavery and emancipation. "Shut your eyes no longer, my countrymen, the Union is threatened; and all the blessings it confers, and which our fathers suffered and died to attain, must perish with it. Scorn not the feeble voice of a woman when she calls on you to awake to your danger, ere it be for ever too late. We are told that the citizens of the north would arouse our slaves to exert their physical force against us-but we cannot, we will not believe, the shocking, foul, unnatural tale. What! have the daughters of the south inflicted such injuries on their northern brethren as to render them objects of deadly, exterminating hate? Have helpless age, smiling infancy, virgin purity, no claims on the generous, the high-minded, and the brave? Would they introduce the serpents of fear and withering anxiety into the Edens of domestie bliss, bathe our peaceful hearths with blood, and force us to abhor those ties which now unite us as one people, and which we so lately taught our sons to regard as our pride, and the very palladium of our prosperity? No, we cannot believe it. We cannot be so unjust to the enlightened and humane citizens of the northern states, as to suppose for a moment they approve of the course pursued by those reckless agitators who seek to inflict such cruel calamities on the south. The poor slave himself merits not at their hands the mischief and woe which his mistaken advocates would heap on his devoted head. No; the northern people are too well acquainted with historical facts, to condemn us for evils which we deprecated as warmly as themselves, but which were ruthlessly imposed upon us by the power of Great Britain." A MATRON OF EASTERN VIRGINIA. Over this signature, a lady of the south has published a very well written and pathetic appeal on the discussion of the question of abolition, abounding in all the phantasms of terror which have been conjured up to fright the friends of emancipation from the path of humanity and justice. We doubt not that, in the present in stance, this panic has been deeply felt; and we pity and regret the pain induced by the causeless terrors, while we scarce forbear to smile at the strange misunderstanding which is displayed, of the designs and feelings of the northern abolitionists. We do not wonder that there should be dread and dismay in the bosoms of our southern sisters at the thought of the slavery which exists among them; we do not think they have no cause for alarm, and we can sympathise || strongly with their feelings; but we do think that the danger is not in the discussion of the subject, but in seeking for security in adding strength and weight to the fetters of the slave, instead of breaking them at once from his limbs. The peril cannot be removed by shutting their eyes to it, though it may enable the consciences of those whose injustice is the cause of all that danger, to still slumber on in the unperturbed apathy of guilt. It is these, it is all who have been concerned in upholding slavery, (and who in our nation has not?) that the abolitionists of the north would rouse from their fatal slumber, and invite to the holy task of loosening the fetters of the oppressed. But deeply, ardently as they desire this liberty, they would shudder scarcely less than the southerners themselves at any attempt of the slave to enfranchise himself by violence; and they would deprecate, on far Is the system of slavery still imposed upon higher and nobler grounds, the employment of the south "by the power of Great Britain?" If any other means than the triumph of moral they still so "warmly deprecate its evils," why principle to effect that object. Those to whom do they not make some effort to remove them? the cause of humanity is dear as their own lives, Why do they so dread the interference and ascannot but esteem as precious every drop that sistance of the north? Let those who "side by flows through the veins of those who, however side fought and bled in defence of their common guilty, are still their brethren; and still less country," whose "united wisdom was exerted to would they cherish a thought of approval towards form our glorious constitution and those repuba scheme of violence that would involve not only || lican institutions, which (so justly) are our boast the oppressors themselves, but helpless woman and the safe-guard of our liberties," once more and sinless infancy in its undistinguishing retri- || unite, and remove from that beloved country the bution. It is a peculiarly fortunate circumstance, foul blot which disgraces her. Will they who in proving the utter groundlessness of the alle- dared and endured so much in resisting injuries, gations of the abolitionists aiming at the excite- which in comparison with those inflicted on the ment of rebellion in those whom they commis-slave, were less than the sting of the moscheto Fiat Justitia Ruat Cælum. to the tortures of the inquisition, do and dare nothing to retrieve their own injustice? we "Deluded emancipators of the north, we now appeal to you! We deprecate slavery as much as you. We as ardently desire the liberty of the whole human race-but what can do? The slow hand of time must overcome difficulties now insurmountable. An evil, the growth of ages, cannot be remedied in a day," True; lingering years will be insufficient to remove all the evils resulting from the system of slavery; but there must be a day for the commencement of the remedy, or it can never be applied; and if there is danger, now, in meddling with the subject, that danger will be still further increased by procrastination. "Our virtuous and enlightened men will doubtless effect much by cautious exertions, if their efforts are not checked by your rash attempts to dictate, on a subject on which it is impossible that they can form a correct judgment." It is strange, that with the precepts of the Christian gospel spread before them, the northern people should be told that they cannot form a correct judgment of what is right. If the minds of either party are liable to be warped into error, it must certainly be those on which interest and the prejudices of education and habit have the strongest claim. For the Genius of Universal Emancipation. My own Annette! my own Annette! Around me the soft moonshine pours A quiet flood of silver light; The star of thought is gleaming bright. Yet, though long years have glided past, Since last thy hand was clasped in mine, The chain that friendship o'er us cast, Hath felt no link of love untwine. And we may meet in other hours, And love where we have loved, again; And talk of all the early flowers We gathered on life's by-past plain. But there are stronger ties than ours, Remorseless rent by cruel hands; Torn hearts, o'er which no future hours Shall fling again the severed bands. Oh! let us weep with those who weep, Beneath oppressions crushing hand; And in our thoughts their anguish keep Who till in tears our guilty land. GERTRUDE. For the Genius of Universal Emancipation. TO A STRANGER. I know thee not, young maiden, yet I know th there must be, Around that heart of thine sweet ties of clingin sympathy: Dwell'st thou not midst thy childhood's hours loved and loving one, Around whose path affections light hath eve sunshine thrown? A sister's arm is round thee twined, perchance oh deeply blest! A parent's fond and holy kiss upon thy brow i pressed; A brother's love-is that, too, thine-a gem o priceless worth, To guard thee like a talisman amid the storms o earth? Then blame me not, that I should seek, although I know not thee, To waken in thy heart its chords of holiest sym pathy; It is for woman's bleeding heart, for woman's humbled form, O'er which the reeking lash is swung, with life's red current warm. Mary. You are an emancipationist, Rachel, and yet you like not the Colonization Societyby what means, then, would you get rid of slavery? Rachel. By the simple act of doing justiceby substituting freedom for bondage. Mary. But how is this to be done? It is easy to talk of enfranchisement, but those who are acquainted with the subject, speak of emancipation as a wild and ruinous scheme, which, if it could be effected, would be productive of the greatest evils. Fiat Justitia Ruat Colum. and the requisitions of justice made to succumb to prejudice and interest. Rachel. There are some who profess to be acquainted with the subject, who will indeed tell you so; but reflect upon the subject for a few Mary. I believe you are correct. I think moments, and say if your own reason does not. after the first excitement is past, an unbending convince you of the unsoundness of their argu- adherence to the principles of pure justice, and ments. Will they who toil patiently for others, the religious precepts which enforce them, will not labor for themselves? Would they whose win more respect, and create no more opposiforbearance is maintained under the pressure of tion, than a course more blended with worldly severe injury, clutch the throats of their bene- | policy. factors? ELA. Rachel. And I hope that both yourself, and Mary. I should suppose not; but at present every other female, will maintain only such sentheir labor is compulsory, and their forbearance timents in this cause as are consistent with the enforced by the unlimited control of their mas-requisitions of the Christian gospel. ters; were they released from their present restraints, ungoverned as they must be by the stricter rules of moral discipline, what security would there be against the evils that have been apprehended. You have read Dr. Porter's opinion upon the subject? Rachel. I have; but it has had no influence over my own. I still think immediate emancipation the wisest and safest, as well as the only upright course that can be pursued. I am aware that the slaveholders themselves at present do not think so, and that emancipation in the way I speak of, cannot be effected without their consent. But their sentiments may be changed, and do not at any rate affect the argument.But do not, my dear Mary, bewilder your mind, as appears to be the case with some, by fancying that emancipation from the terrible slavery which now oppresses so many of our fellow creatures, signifies also an exemption from a judicious and necessary restraint, which must of course be more or less rigid as circumstances may dictate. The law which now yields to the master an unnatural degree of power over his fellow creatures, would lose no degree of its supremacy by transferring the power of punishment into the hands of the civil magistrate, and taking the slave under its own protection as a human being. And surely this might be done; they might cease to be ranked with the ox and the plough; the whip might be thrown aside, and the traffic in their flesh abolished, if their masters would consent, without danger of any violent convulsion. In the continuance of slavery there is certain peril; it must, if persisted in, sooner or later produce rebellion and massacre, while the terrors of the opposers of emancipation are excited only by an improbability, which they apprehend may recur, and are warranted by no precedent in history. Mary. But the slaveholders will not consent to the immediate resignation of what they term their property. Rachel. And this, not the danger, forms the principal difficulty. But do they show any more willingness to accede to a system of gradual abolition, or abolition of any sort? Do they not cling to the whole guilt of slavery? The object then is to effect a change in their sentiments, and to bring their sentiments to influence their actions, and this may be done, I believe, as readily in favor of immediate as of gradual emancipation. And even if the whole point cannot be obtained, at least nothing will be lost by taking this ground. They must yield something to the public feeling; and if justice only, pure unwarped justice, is required, even though they should fall short of all they ought to do, they will probably yield more, and certainly not less, than if a lower standard had been adopted, แ FREE LABOR PRODUCTS. We are truly glad to perceive that anti-slavery men are more generally waking up to the duty of abstaining from the products of slave labor. "By their fruits shall ye know them." Goods uncontaminated by the blood and tears of the bondman, may be obtained in this city, as adbered that this is the lever which has been so vertised in our columns. It should be rememeffectual in moving public opinion in England. and do unto others as they would that they Let Christians ponder on a coming judgment, should do unto them.-New York Emancipator. NEW PUBLICATION. "An Appeal in favor of that class of Americans called Africans. By Mrs. Child, author of The Mother's Book, The Girl's Own Book, The Frugal Housewife, &c. Boston: Allen & Tick|| nor. 1833. pp. 232." We have read this work with great satisfaction and delight. The author has taken up the subject of slavery from its commencement, and discussed it with her usual ingenuity and candor. The work is dedicated to the Rev. J. May, of Brooklyn, Conn. It is divided into eight chapters, with the following heads: 1. Brief history of slavery.-Its inevitable ef fects upon all concerned in it. 2. Comparative view of slavery in different ages and nations. 3. Free and slave labor-Possibility of safe emancipation. 4. Influence of slavery in the politics of the United States. 5. Colonization Society, and Anti-Slavery So. ciety. 6. Intellect of negroes. 7. Moral character of negroes. 8. Prejudices against the people of color, and our duties in relation to the subject. Mrs. Child is an abolitionist, and she has vin. dicated her sentiments in this work with great ability. She avows herself an opponent of the Colonization Society, and a friend of the AntiSlavery Society. The remarks upon the comparative merits of the two societies evince a disand an independent mind. Liberator. criminating judgment, a philanthropic heart, Use of Tobacco. It is stated in the French papers, that by mixing tobacco juice with the pitch and tar used in paying the seams in a ship's bottom, the attack of worms and destructive insects will be prevented, and coppering rendered unnecessary. 47 21 Fiat Justitia Ruat Colum. PRUDENCE CRANDALL. window curtain stained by a volley of rotten eggs-and last, not least, a moral non-descript, TJ. He advised Miss Crandall to though physically a human being, named A This enterprising and philanthropic young lady has been tried and convicted by a court in the state of CONNECTICUT, after all the usual for-treasure up the stone and the curtain, and let malties of examining witnesses, hearing counsel, and the delivery of a charge from his Honor the judge, of—readers, what do you suppose? Not of stealing, nor breaking the peace and dignity of the state-but of teaching young women to read and write. Truly this is a very enlighten-night, a black man knocked at the dwelling view with him. He was admitied by the serhouse door of the mayor, and requested an intervant, and his business being demanded, he re the broken pane remain; but he thought it desirable that A. T. J. should be suffered to go at large for the inspection of a curious public.—Ib. LEXINGTON, (Ky.) Oct. 29. Siugular Circumstance.-Late on Saturday ed age! And CONNECTICUT, so far famed for her Wm. Lloyd Garrison, on his return lately from New York to Boston, called to see P. Crandall, whence he proceeded to make a short visit to his friends at Brooklyn, Connecticut. He gives a short account of the call made on him while made no explanation for so singular a request. cult at that time to find the proper officer to The mayor stated to him that it would be difficommit him, but that if he would proceed to the jail, he did not doubt that he would obtain admission, and that if he did not, either of the the watch house until morning. With this inwatchmen, on application, would confine him in struction the man proceeded to the jail, awoke Mr. Megowan, the jailer, and was admitted and confined. Early on Sunday morning, an inquiry was made to learn the cause of such extraordinary conduct, when it was ascertained that the negro belonged to Mr. Samuel Patterson, residing a few miles from the city, and that on the evening previous, in a fit of rage, he had struck at his wife with an axe, and inflicted a wound in the abdomen from which she soon after expired. FREE PRODUCE. JOSEPH H. BEAL has removed his store from at the latter place, which we copy from the Li-41 Fulton street, where he formerly kept, to berator. Acknowledgment.-Just before midnight, on ANDREW T. JUDSON, Miss Crandall's school is not broken up, but 376 Pearl street, New York, where he intends to keep a general assortment of goods, the product of free labor; including Groceries, Dry Goods, Cotton Cloths, Shirting, and Paper made of linen rags, which he will sell, wholesale and retail, upon the best terms he can afford. This establishment will probably be the most extensive of any of the kind in the United States; and the diligence, punctuality, and industry of the proprietor, who has engaged in the business from principle, will give satisfaction to all who have dealings with him. We hope this store will be extensively patronized. The price of subscription will be ONe Dollar per annum, always to be paid in advance. Subscribers who do not particularly specify the time they wish to receive the work, or notify the editor (through the medium of a post-master, or in some other way,) of a desire to discontinue it before the expiration of the current year, will be considered as engaged for the next succeeding one, and their bills will be forwarded accordingly. Any person remitting Five Dollars to the Editor, in current money of the United States, will be entitled to six copies for one year. 1 |