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39
with regard to the comparative value of free and slave labor in
the different departments of agriculture and the mechanic arts,
with a view to give it an extensive circulation in the new terri-
tories; and they are advised that several abolitionists have
gone thither with a determination to exert all the influence in
their power to withstand the encroachments of Slavery, and en-
courage the people in establishing free governments.
While the great question, whether Slavery shall be established
in California and New Mexico, is pending, the equally exciting
topic, whether Slavery shall continue forever in the States now
cursed with it, is discussed with unwonted universality and pow-
er. In Kentucky a convention is to be held in October next, to
revise the constitution of that State, and the friends of emanci-
pation are zealously laboring to arouse public sentiment in favor
of some judicious plan for the extinction of that curse upon hu-
man industry and happiness. The Examiner, an able Anti-
Slavery paper at Louisville, is discussing the subject in all its
bearings, and public meetings of persons favorable to emancipa-
tion are held in different parts of the State. The political press
is engaged either in defense or in opposition of ,the plan.
‘¢ Slavery is a legalized tyranny over natural right,” says one of
them. ‘The friends of emancipation are issuing a variety of pub-
lications, calculated to enlighten and convince their fellow-
citizens of the safety of the measure, and leading politicians and
clergymen are taking part in the moral conflict.* At a meeting
in Louisville, Charles M. Thurston, a distinguished lawyer, de-
clared that the old political questions were all of secondary im-
portance to that of S/avery.. He spoke of its evils, and
exclaimed, ‘‘ would to God we were rid of it!’? One burst of
enthusiastic applause followed this expression. At Lexington a
public mecting has been held, which was addressed by Henry
Clay and R. J. Breckenridge. On motion of the latter, the
following resolutions were unanimously adopted :—
I. This meeting, composed of citizens of the County of Fayette,
met, in pursuance of public notice, to consider the question of the per-
petuation of Slavery in this commonwealth, considering that heredi-
tary domestic slavery, as it exists among us :
1. Is contrary to the rights of mankind 5
2. Is opposed to the fundamental principles of free government ;
3. Is inconsistent with a state of sound morality ; ‘
4, Is hostile to the prosperity of the Commonwealth, are therefore
*An ‘“ Address to the Non-slaveholders of Kentucky,” read and
adopted at a mecting of the mechanics and laboring men of Louisville,
has been published and widely diffused.
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