The Sun.
London, England, 1840-06-01 00:00:00

best guarantee in s our Royal Highness's condescension
in taking the chair.—(Loud cheers.) Or if this were
a question of pure commerce, we might with propriety
refer it to men of traffic, and to the men of enterprise, and
might watch, not indeed without deep interest, but with-
out anxiety, the result; but this is no more a question of
pure commerce than it is of politics.—(Hear, hear.) The
question is rather one which concerns the moral consist-
ency of the religious character of the country at large ;
and it is on this ground especially that I feel I am not out
of place this day with my Right Rev. Brethren around me,
and with the concurrence of the Primate of our Church,
in avowing all attachment to the cause of the abolition of
the traffic in slaves.--( Hear, hear.) It is in truth a hu-
miliating thing to consider that some half century—some
sixty years since our first attempts to abolish this detest-
able
and unnatural traffic, we have on this day to consult,
as it were, upon measures for its suppression. It is in,
truth a humiliating thing for the country that, notwith-
standing, according to the words of the resolution which I
hold in my hand, all the measures hitherto adopted for the
suppression of the foreign trade in slaves, the traffic had
increased, and continues to increase under circumstances of
aggravated horror.—( Hear.) I feel it is humiliating io
consider that at the beginning of the present century Great
Britain prohibited till her subjects from engaging in the
slave trade, and under these circumstances it is impossible
to deny the high responsible accountability of the country.
—( Hear.) I trust the proceedings of this day will go far
to redeem the pledge that has been given--I trust that
having a knowledge of the facts before us we shall not
hesitate to do what lies in our power for the suppression
of this trade. I trust that having not only that knowledge
but the power—for will it be said that this country, the
mistress of.the seas and the queen of the waters, has not the
power—having that power then, I say it is the bounden duty
of the country to apply the remedy.—(Cheers.) To
apply the remedy to what? We must not disguise the
fact—the traffic has not been extinguished—it has not
been diminished—( Hear, hear)—but, according to the
latest accounts from which any estimate can be cor-
rectly formed, the numbers exported have increased--
the destruction of human life, and all the guilt and misery
consequent thereon, has increased; and the annual loss of
life has increased from 17 to 25 per cent.--( Hear, hear.)
With these views I cordially join in the proceedings of this
Society. I hail the union which prevails this day. I rejoice
in seeing that now, for the first time, we go forward, not
for the depression of national enemies—not for mere na-
tional conquests—not for mere national aggrandizement,
but for the object of striking a. blow at barbarism in
Africa—the real root of the evil—for planting Chris-
tianity in lieu of the superstitions and errors of idolatry,_
(Cheers.) And upon this ground, in the name of the
Church of England, of her clergy, and of her people, I
may well thank God and take courage, and bid this So-
ciety prosper, and bid it God's speed in the name of our
Lord.—( Loud cheering.)
The RESOLUTION was then put by Mr. Fowell Buxton,
and carried unanimously.
Sir S TEPIIEN LUSHINGTON, M. P., in moving the next
Resolution said—Aley it please your Royal Highness. I
shall not detain you long by any apology. [ ant here upon
compulsion it is true, but I am a willinc, slave in your
cause.—( Cheers.) I should have been glad if some other
person bad undertaken the task confided to me, but the
Resolution 1.,` am now about to propose to you
is connected with that which has already been
stated by the two Speakers who have preceded
me, and is almost a necessary consequence of the
facts already premised. For we state in this resolution
that every attempt by treaty, by remonstrance, by naval
armament having failed, it becomes the duty of this coun-
try to exercise its ingenuity to discover some new plan
whereby the great object may be finally achieved. We
conic to the consideration, then, first of the reason which '
has given birth to this institution, and then to the prin-
ciples and the common bond which unites us together. We
are assembled together because that trade in human beings
is not merely continued, but because there is an extent of
human suffering, a depth of guilt, and a defiance
of the first ordinances of God, which was
never before exhibited since the world began,
and that defiance has been perpetrated not by those who
are buried in the depths of Heathen barbarism and Pagan
idolatry, but by those whose pride it is to know and to ac.
knowledge, and to profess their belief in the eternal God
and Saviour, and who do not deny him, but defy him.—
( Hear, hear.) When this institution was first originated,
and when it was proposed to unite and combine together
persons professing such an infinite diversity of opinions, it
WAS necessary to lay down some common principle or end.
We were all of us well aware that having been practicable
it would have been infinitely more desirable that certain
great objects should be attempted to be attained ; but we
own, and it would be folly and absurdity to conceal the
fact for a single moment, that persons professing such
differences of religious persuasions never could honestly
unite for the introduction of Christianity on a common
basis and principle. In a society where there were
Churchmen, Dissenters, Members of the Society of
Friends, and Roman Catholics, it was beyond the power of
man to devise a plan by which all could continue to pro-
mote it. But in the words of cur prospectus, although we
deeply and unfeignedly regretted that we were under the
necessity of abandoning the idea of directly and imme-
diately attempting to introduce Christianity, we one and
all, without a single exception, united in expressing a firm
convection that the evil would never be overcome until
Africa had abandoned her pagan rites and become Chris-
tian people.— ( Hear, hear, and cheers.) So again, with
respect to education, the same differences occurred ; but
we all knew this, that whether we spoke cf the intro-
duction of Christianity, or whether. e e spoke of
spreading knowledge and morality in its different
forms throughout the Continent, that there were
societies and bodies, when once the road was open to
them, who would enhance that object, and woold carry it
with certainty into effect.—( Hear, hear.) Now it is right
that we should say also, because we should be deprived of
some of our most valuable friends and assistants if the
slightest doubt remained on any point, this Society pro-
poses to do nothing by force or fraud.—(Hear, hear.)
Let it be distinctly understood I never will, acting as a
member of this Society, violate the common bond which
has tied us together, but it does not fetter us as indivi-
duals. Because I act as a member of a society, and in
that capacity never will effect its objects by means
repudiated by that society, yet I scruple not to say
that, as an individual, I am bound by nothing but
my own consciousness of what is right, and individually and
separately I am justified in adopting these means,—( Hear,
hear.) Now, it has been said that we have laid our foun-
dations on limits so narrow that little good can result
from such a combination ; but, i emember, the forest must
be cut down ere the church can be built—the swamp must
be drained crc the stately palace can be erected—the road
must be opened before it is possible that exertions, how-
ever energetic, however benevolent, however well directed,
can be usefully made—they must have a road opened to
them before the most zealous operations can succeed. We
then are the humble pioneers in this road—we seek the
civilization of Africa; we seek to commence that great
work—we seek to abolish the slave trade by extinguishing
the great motive to its continuance, the insatiable lust of
avarice—by supplying to the inhabitants those necessaries,
those comforts, those conveniences in a mode to which no
human being can cater objection, instead of their being pur-
chased by the blood and misery of our fellow-creatures.—
( Cheers.) Can we suppose that no effect will be pro-
duced from such a combination ? Can we suppose that
the nations of the Continent will not feel, and acknow-
ledge, and imitate the example set them this day ?
(Cheers.) 1 have the honour to witness present here the
representative of one of the mightiest nations in Europe.
(Tremendous cheering.) I hail his presence as an
auspicious omen—( Renewed cheering)—and I trust that
he (M. Guizot) will convey to his Sovereign and to his
country an adequate representation of the zeal and unani-
mity of the people of England.—( Cheers.) I trust,
and why should I doubt, that it will produce its
effect.—( Hear, hear.) A nation highly educated, bene-
volent, and intelligent as any that covers the facer of the
globe—pr„fessing substantially the same common creed as
our own, why should not France emulate England in this
work ?—( Loud and general cheering.) Here there are
no petty squabblings about islands or divisions of territory
—here is no selfish or sordid motive to divert men from the
impulse of their just feelings, or to lead them to ask for
themselves or their country more than they were justly
entitled to. Here is common ground on which alt can
meet and unite to abate the greatest infamy that ever yet
desolated the world.,—.(Loud cheers.) I hope for
France, I pray for France, as our first and noblest en-
adjutor.—(Enthusiastic cheers.) But are there no other
grounds on which I may be permitted to indulge san-
guine hopes ? Is it nothing to announce to the world
that the meeting held here was crowded to suffocation ;
containing within it not one separate party, great as that
might be—not the Bishops and Archbishops of the
Church of nearlyEnglasndo,lencootmtmhoosnecauseof c
connected with
_
them—but all denominations of Christians, and every one
who acknowledge
( Loud cheers.) And I may add my sincere and heartfelt
gratification that it has been graced by the presence of
him who presides at our head.--e Loud and general
cheering.) Sir, amongst the various methods which have
been suggested for the diminution of this trafilc, I am happy
' to say that the minds of hundreds and thousands are occu-
pied in endeavouring to discover modes whereby it might
be, if not entirely subverted, at least kept within bounds.
I think it right to bring under
the consideration
of this meeting, a proposition foundeid upon actual expe-
Hence in these countries--I mean tete proposition lately
made by Mr. Turnbull in his work on Cube. He has
stated to you the extent of the trade, and the mode in
which it is carried on, and its dreadful consequences. It
Go-
vernment could be induced to consent to what they have
not hitherto consented, to allow the mixed Commission
appears to him, that were it possible that the Spanish
bNu toist'
are captured at the entrance of the river,
is e -
welle,as a
deserving Society,
slaves when they
but after being once imported into the country, to inquire
acting there not simply to inquire into the condition of the
into their mode of treatment, that much would be done to do ,
ca ii:rs''lyi withot
you lionourmi
wish that your Roval
the consideration of those who think that no national means
careful examination, if they tend to the accomplishment of
ought to be neglected, and ought neat
rteoatrmececeivtiength.eut mostl
embarktheh
ionrrtohia•st
one common object. I feel how wrong it is for me to tres-
°urn tdheer system.t
a in e.
this meeting with your presence.—( Great cheering.) I
passcj iigl
nhofnUt
er
stsl
refrain cnrinoyn
nfetr
1,10,1
cem. r
addingr attentionepe nt mt oi
yl of
lastd thisay
when
trust this auspicious event will be the commencement cf
the accomplishment of the great work, which I trust God
in his providence has reserved for its speedy accomplish-
ment in the day of your consulate.—( Loud and great
cheering.) The Right Hon. Gentleman concluded by
moving the second resolution.
The Venerable Archdeacon WILBERFORCE rose to pro-
pose the neer resolution, and was received with loud cheers,
which having subsided, he said—May it please your Roy al
Highness, I well know I am indebted for the acclamations
with which I hove been greeted to the name I bear rather
than to my Own personal deserts. Tide, however, I may
say without presumption, that however I may fail to ex-
press them, the sympathies of my heart are entirely with
this Socety—(Clieers)—and it is no small pleasure for me
to find myself in this resolution joined in our greatest:luso
with the name of Powell 13uxton—et ith the name of him
to whom I well rememb:r;in undoubted confidence—in