een studding these slaveholding
localities over, and are vocal with his praise--the moral majesty of the
law is a paramount power. The amount of paupers and criminals, in some
of them, is less than one-seventieth part that is chargeable to some of
their twin sisters of equal age, (who are free[232]) nurseries of
literature and science are multiplying rapidly, and promising the
highest results--prosperity, in these slaveholding communities, in
crowning the efforts of good men to arrest vice, to promote virtue, to
diminish want, to create plenty, and to arrange the elements of progress
for the highest social, moral, and religious results.

There is another historical fact which deserves to be weighed, in making
up a judgment on the expansion of slavery. Within the present century,
the colonies of Mexico and South America, in imitation of our example,
threw off the colonial yoke, and established independent governments.
All of these States, except one, preferred the non-slaveholding model,
and _excluded_ the element of _slavery_: that one, which is Brazil,
preferred the model adopted by the Southern States of this Union, and
_retained_ African _slavery_.

All of those States, which _excluded slavery_, have been visited, in
rapid succession, with _insurrection, revolution, and fearful anarchy_;
while Brazil has enjoyed tranquillity, from the commencement of her
independent political existence until the present hour. This remarkable
fact has occurred, too, in a State where the slaves are two to one of
the other race. The slaves in the United States are one to two of the
other race. Is not this fact, like all those examined, _God's
providential voice_? and does He not, in these facts, speak a language
that we can _read and understand_?

Now, shall we, in view of these facts, rebel against the teachings of
His providence, as it is now made known to us in the census, and claim
for ourselves more wisdom than he has displayed, in _allowing such
results_ to be the product of _slaveholding communities_?

We cannot put an end to African slavery, if we would--and we ought not,
if we could--until God opens a door to _make its termination a blessing,
and not a curse_. When He does that, slavery in this Union will end.

With Christian affection, yours,
THORNTON STRINGFELLOW.

FOOTNOTES:

[231] This letter was addressed to ELDER JAMES FIFE.

[232] Texas and Michigan; se