That abomination, Sir, is set forth in the Revised Code of North Carolina, chap. 34, sec. 82. But lest it should fail by the employment of slaves as school-teachers, we have the following prohibition.
“It shall not be lawful for any slave to teach, or attempt to teach, any other slave or free negro to read or write, the use of figures excepted.”[93]
The punishment of slaves for this offence is whipping, repeated for every act. But, Sir, here is another specimen.
“If any person shall wilfully bring into the State, with an intent to circulate, or shall wilfully circulate or publish within the State, or shall aid or abet the bringing into, or the circulation or publication of within, the State, any written or printed pamphlet or paper, whether written or printed in or out of the State, the evident tendency whereof is to cause slaves to become discontented with the bondage in which they are held by their masters and the laws regulating the same, and free negroes to be dissatisfied with their social condition and the denial to them of political privileges, and thereby to excite among the said slaves and free negroes a disposition to make conspiracies, insurrections, or resistance against the peace and quiet of the public, such person so offending shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction thereof shall, for the first offence, be imprisoned not less than one year, and be put in the pillory and whipped, at the discretion of the court, and for the second offence shall suffer death.”[94]
Here is yet another.
“If any free person of color shall preach or exhort in public, or in any manner officiate as a preacher or teacher in any prayer meeting, or other association for worship, where slaves of different families are collected together, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall, for each offence, receive not exceeding thirty-nine lashes on his bare back.”[95]
And now one more.
“If any person shall wilfully carry or convey any slave, the property of another, without the consent of the owner or the guardian of the owner, with the intent and for the purpose of enabling such slave to escape out of this State, from the service of his owner, or any one having an interest in such slave, present or future, vested or contingent, legal or equitable, or if any person shall wilfully conceal any slave, the property of another, with such intent and purpose, the person so offending shall suffer death.”[96]
I have read enough, Sir. These passages show you the statutes to be enforced in the name of the National Union, by its constituted authorities, in courts organized by Congress. And behind all these is Slavery itself to be enforced also.