America Before Europe Principles and Interests (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862 Excerpt: ...lawful by this reason alone. Besides, the experiment has several times been made; General Gaines and a number of others, twenty or thirty years ago, employed slaves, emancipated them in virtue of the right of war, maintained that no one had a right to find fault with it, and were sustained, even when the South ruled the Union. This, moreover, is only a means of resolving local difficulties. As to the general question of abolition, I am at rest. Whatever may be the measure adopted, the social transformation will run its course. I have always found it impossible to feel any anxiety on the subject of slavery. Since the election of Mr. Lincoln, I know that it has received its death-blow, and I am not of those who believe the cause lost because men hesitate or postpone it overmuch. One thing is evident--the word Union formerly signified " slavery," it now means " liberty." Every thing is comprised therein. That among those who voted for this change and are laboring to accomplish it, there may be some, many perhaps, who have not comprehended the import of their action, cannot surprise me; the most glorious revolutions of humanity are wrought in this wise. It is rarelv that the workers have full knowledge of their work, And what matters it? Is their work therefore less great? If many men have wished but half that they have done, have they done it the less for this? This is the beginning of the end. I desire no other proof of it than what is passing in the Border States. I have spoken already of the remarkable deliberations of the Missouri Legislature, and have said that the interests of slavery were still its ruling anxiety; but what was true in 1861 will be no longer as true in 1862; the progress of minds is rapid. Kentucky is advancing still ...