The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-17 00:00:00

lution, Re did not know that he would be called on to I rendaxpedition to the Niger they had held aloof from
do ee till he had entered the meeting, and lit, therefore, ! that scheme because the steamers carried arms. They would
thought he should be best consulting the satisfsC.tion of the : not co-operate for that reason. The scheme had gone to
meeting by merely seconding the resolution, which. was that : the ground, as this would also if they (lid not adopt the prin.-
nthe
.report just read be printed anti circulated under the' di- 1 ciple which they had then repudiated.—(Cheers.) He was not
rectum of the Committee, and that Geo. Win. Alexander he 1 there as the representative of any man but himself, and the
requested to act. as auditor, and John Scoble be Sesretary, ' course which lie should recommend to the Committee was to
and the following be the Committee for the year enetting, , let the question be an open question—(Cheers)—not to act
with power to add to their number."—L Here follow the names ] I officially on the subject; to see if they could not reconsider
Mr. GEORGE Tnoairsox then canes forward amidst loud their constitution, so as to reconcile the pacific principles of the
cheers., and said that, though net wholly unaccustomed to third articie'with the provisions of the fourth. They should
address public assemblies, he could, with the utmost sin- recollect that they represented the anti-slavery community of
cerity and truth, affirm that he never felt a larger England. They did not represent their own subscribers
amount of reluctance in presenting himself before only, and they ought to act in accordance with
a public meeting than on this occasion. He Bose with the feelings of the community at large.—(Cheers.)
considerable pain, because he rose to submit to the meeting a Let them reconsider their constitution : it was a vital point.
Preposition which he was bound to say was not brought be- He asked no more that day. Every lover of freedom must
fore the meeting with the concurrence of those respected gentle- deprecate anything in the shape of division.—(Hear, hear.)
men who constituted the Committee of the Society, and whose The sum total of his amendment, on the motion before
right it was to arrange the business to which they were to di- the Chair, was that they would suspend their judg:-
rect their attention. He would state, as he proceeded, the ment, and with that suspend their action, upon this
various considerations which Moved him to discharge what lie question until they had reconsidered their constitution.
conceived
before to be an il-,,perative duty. He need not say he stood Mr. Thompson then read his amendment, which was to the
bath , • the iiribly with feelings of entire and cordial sym- effect that " while that meeting awarded to the Coin-
he, ".:4-rne great objects they were met to proirote.—(llear, mittee its most hearty commendation for the activity
...r.) He would refer to his past life, and would attempt no and zeal it had evinced in the cause of universal
'justification of himself from any imputation that might by abolition during the past year, yet, considering the honest
possibility be cast on his zeal in this great undertaking. difference of opinion which prevailed among the friends of
Ile was sustained by the conviction in undertaking this sub-. that cause on the subject of discriminating duties on slave
ject, that no individual had a stronger desire to see the uni- and free produce, and on the propriety of a Society, which is
ve.rsal and speedy extirpation of slavery. He was also sus- restricted by its constitution to the use of those means which
s
Sluned by the conviction, and it was an honest and deep one, are only of a moral, religious, and pacific character, inter-
that he came there that morning, and was accompanied by ! feriug through the medium of Government in the question, it
others, in the capacity of a promoter of peace, of union, and of I deems it right to instruct ,any committee appointed to refrain
that harmonious action by which they could best support the from acting on that part of the constitution which pledged
(Meatier' now before them. They deprecated dispute, still the Society to promote the adoption of fiscal regulations tin-
snore distraction, and, most of all, division and desertion.— favourable to slave labour until the articles of the Society's
(Hear, hear.) They desired that the friends of emancipation constitution were re-considered." He then proceeded to say—
should be one; and that if they could not see eye to eye on Let them individually abstain from the use of every article
every' question of policy, and the means by which they if it was slave-grown, if they could do so, Let them recom-
*tumid work, they should at least find some certain and mend that as a duty to others. Let them not go to a Govern-
: "ld Principle of action by which they might all stand, ment whose aid they could not get in the shape of a law
combined, and acting together, without any division in their without force. Let them not, while maintaining the prhi-
r9cils or any separation in their work.—(Hear, hear.) It ciples of liberty for one class of men, violate its sacred pun-
: c't!'d be neglecting an opportunity, which would not occur ciples to their own countrymen at home.—(Cheers.)
. vain for a year, if they were not to bring before the meeting Mr. GEORGE War.ANSTEY, of Devizes, seconded theamend-
,..,e_filet that there was at this moment amongst. the best ment.
• ends of the anti-slavery cause divisions of sentiment as A GENTLEMAN, whose name we understood to be Wales, a
to the policy and consistency of the Committee in inter- barrister of Leeds, here rose in the midst of the meeting, to
iering through the medium of C4overnment, and by means of speak ; cries his observations were in so low a tone of voice,
tem regulations, with the question of slavery.—(llear, hear.) • and the of " Come to the platform " were so loud, that
p conceded for those who differed from him perfect honesty we were unable to catch one word of what he said. In the
°f intention. He claimed not for themselves any larger interim, while the Learned Gentleman was making his way
th;,-4,re of sincerity, any larger measure even of enlightenment, to the platform,
Bat that possessed by those friends who differed from them. The CHAIRMAN said he would venture to suggest to the
hold"C Conceived it most important, standing on the three- meeting the extreme difficulty in which they would be in-
sert ?I another year, that an attempt should be made to as- volved if they should take the whole of its proceedings out
kind 41 ;tivhat were the feelings and opinions of the constituent of the course for which arrangements had been made.—(A
. ICY by whose contributions and voices they were sustained. Voice—" Fair play.")
v must take exception to that part of the Committee's re- Mr. JOSEPH STURGE would, if the gentleman who had
rrt, which declared that there had been a " full and candid possession of the chair, permitted him, in a few words, en -
m;ascussion of this entire subject." He was not there to com- deavour to suggest a mode in which they might fall in
Itl!, ift that those who were willing to discuss this great ques- with the resolutions of George Thompson. He (Mr. Sturge)
,I.on had not been permitted through the medium of the accre- conceived that the subject before them was of such immense
tilted organ of the Society, to =peak to the country on the importance, and a right decision upon it of such great con-
aubjecn—that they were nof allowed to put forward their sequence to millions of their fellow-men, that, while he gave
[statements- and sentiments, except so far as the honourable to his friends who differed from him the credit of the since-
Conductor of that organ might please, in the centre of rity which he claimed for himself, he implored all present to
an additional article to notice some portion of his speech, look at it with calmness, not under the excitement of oratory,
While. the views' on the other side of the question had been but as a matter of trade. He had understood that the reso-
. Published in the organ of the. Society in the form of letters, lution of George Thompson would have been differently distributed through the length and breadth of the land. worded. Let them mark that he (Mr. Sturge) was
re had not seen in that publication the views entertained by one of those who went the full length of free trade
Ylr. Blair, Mr. Anstev, and Mr. Spooner; no statements em- in all legitimate matters of commerce, but he did
odying a calm elucidation of the views of these who differed think, that if it were proper to go into the ques-
L
trbOin the Committee on this question. It was however right tion now, ;he could, without any oratory, show
at those views should be brought before the public though that the stolen produce of the stolen man ought to be treated e regretted he was the individual that first as stolen produce. But what he would suggest was, that the
rose to expound them, and that some indivi- amendment now proposed be adopted, with this alteration,
ital of more ability than himself had not done so. that they should not suspend their proceedings until a deci-
did not blame them for the course which they had taken, sion by the Committee was come to. His objection was, that
but it was vital to the Society to consider whether that was the course suggested was prejudging the question, on which
..4. consistent policy—whether the Society should be exclu- George Thompson himself had given an opinion in the
7,l.trVy of a moral and religious character. With reference to affirmative. All he asked was, that those friends who took
uis rirainating duties he must remind the meeting that these his view of the question, would make that alteration in the
,•!1)1ld only be maintained with force.—(Hear, hear.) The resolution. Before he sat down he might be permitted to
._Government could not carry out any law for the exclusion of make an observation or two. The conduct of the Govern-
ne-grown sugar without force—the thing was abhorrent ment had been . imputed to the Anti-Slavery Society, as
s''" me feelings of those who constituted that Society.—(" No, though it were their conduct. Now, they only asserted their
tlo," and cheers.) How would such a law be enforced, but own principles as far as they could. They did not inquire
OY a coast blockade and a standing army ?—(Cheers.) What who those were that supported their principles, if they did
. l"old the law be for? To prevent a certain article from what the Society thought right. With respect to them-
'orn. ng into this country because it was produced in another selves, they never pretended to be anything but the repre-
i)rltrY where slavery existed. It was true that there would sentatives of the Anti-Slavery Society, and he saw himself so
artiTne difficulty in smuggling sugar; it was too bulky an generally in the minority that when he got into the majority
hut eto be smuggled. It was not the sanctity of the law, he would think himself wrong. All he wanted was to have a
wn..tta impracticability that made it inviolable. Such a law fair consideration of this vital question.
,i7only for the maintenanceofmonopoly.—(Cheers.) Ninety- Mr. HOWARD HINTON understood Mr. Thompson to say
po"dei:ut of a hundred of the people of this country would re- that, on receiving a pledge on the part of the Committee that
to 'et the law, and think that it was no crime against God that they would consult the constituents of the Society on the
likeevade it. But suppose it were possible to smuggle sugar revision and alteration of the clause which related to fiscal
~s_ gold, and lace, and jewels, how could that smuggling be regulations, that he would withdraw his amendment.
isellnted but by cruisers and coast-guards and revenue cut- He as a member of the Committee said there was no difficulty
of'-‘3,' (Cheers.) Would that Society make itself the agent in the Committee undertaking to consult the constituency on
(of the Government in carrying such a law into effectsubject. If they did not act fairly, they would be respon-
d4teera and disapprobation.) It was objected that by intro- sible to another meeting of that sort, before which he would
Brazilian and Cuba sugar, and the sugar of Porto Rico, never dare to raise his voice, if there should be any interfer-
arettsh;gwould be an aggravation of slavery ; but he held that ence in the matter. The members of the Committee were
clgreject the produce of these -.countries would be a greater present, and with their acquiescence in that pledge he trusted
ravation of the evils. It was argued also that if they pur- Mr. Thompson would be satisfied, and withdraw his
40,4_,1ca sugar the produce of slave States, they were directly amendment.
i;-uuraging slavery. What, were they encouraging slavery Mr. G. Tirostrsox wished to say a few words in explana-
theta iheY sent missionaries throughout the world? when tion. He did not wish the Anti-Slavery Committee to go to
• is. y disseminated tracts and made sacrifices perional and po- the public at large to learn their principles ; but he wished.
ircal for the abolition ?—(Cheers.) How could they go to them not to impose a tax, directly or indirectly, by going to
honest
Government and ask for a discriminating duty to prevent the Government, in reference to fiscal regulations. So much
to est 1)eople from buying that which they thought it no crime in explanation of what he had said, and next, with reference
to the statement of the members of the Committee of their
.A.`),illilline ?--(Cheers)
do kiEserLE.mAsi in one of the galleries called out, "What willingness to undertake the reconsideration of the question,
pu say about cotton ?" he begged to say he consented to withdraw his motion.
gtu he CIIA.IRmAN said that he hoped Mr. Thompson would be The amendment was then withdrawn, and the original re-
owed to proceed without interruption. solution put from the chair and carried.
theme. G. Thostrsore resumed.—When phisg to pur- The Rev. J. BunsfErr (of Camberwell) proposed the fol..
trg this sugar, he might be told that sugar was the lowing resolution :-
1.411ne of slave labour. He might not have known that ; " That this meeting deplore the continued' existence of
pin,` ,Still even when he was informed of it he might think it slavery in different parts of the earth, especially by professedly
pttiruet---(Cheers.) They might tell him that he would by Christian nations, which, as in the case of Brazil and Spanish
ecileve:ttraindge that sugar be aggravating the horrors of the colonies, is the fruitful cause of the African slave-trade, and
and of slavery. • Nevertheless, he might be in- all its attendant horrors, and in that of the United States, of
they co°,l prefer 501. to 251- ; and now he asked them, did an internal slave-trade of the most revolting and cruel
order to it it their duty to inform a Government officer in character.
them if' Prevent him —(Hear, hear.) He nould ask " That deeply sympathising with the victims of slavery in
in orde as an Anti-Slavery Society they were prepared, their sufferings and wrongs, this meeting assert their right to
call iii a
to prevent him from purchasing this
•. sugar, to immediate and entire freedom, and emphatically call on the
• to harAli,,a Government officer, and order that officer friends of liberty and justice,
suerthroughot the world, to use
(eh "'e elm , cos''u to prison. He did not believe they would.— their best efforts for the extinction of ime which has so
eiDi:t.rs•s But if they did, they would be as bad in prin- long outraged humanity and religion, and. which at this
(Ch-„,.,"' the men who carried on the African slave trade.— time oppresses and degrades millions of mankind.
(ch—rl It was right that the negro should be free.— " That this meeting, neYertheless, sincerely r*ice in the
bir eers. It was wrong to take from him his labour without steady progress of the anti-slavery cause in the United States
tern 1 but it was as wrong to tell a man who had fabricated of America, and in France, Holland, and other European na-
lseSt-LY,Yards of cloth, that he should not exchange it to the tions, where the friends of humanity are nobly exerting them-
.itie auvantage.—(Loud cheers.) Who made them the selves in behalf of the wronged and suffering slave.
hi,3es over his conscience ?—(Cheers.) They should leave That in tendering to their fellow-labourers their warm
eo'n,v.to settle that with his God.—(Cheers.) They must congratulations on the present aspect of their common cause,
tlieo!nco his understanding, and then he would be with this meeting would ,cherish the hope that the agency ern-
(e,,,:s; but if they attempted to force him-,bandi off' ! ployed and the information diffused by them may be con-
lie "`l cheers.) And,now for the argumene that they would stantly and perseveringly directed to promote the imme-
quaaagtgravating the horrors of slavery. There`Was a certain diate and entire abolition of, slavery in those parts of their
ae fo Yof sugar required for the whole Of Europe, of which respective countries, where it unhappily exists, and generally
rro,„ r:laied Only a small portion. This sugar was brought throughout the world." •
totlthe Brazils, from lndia, from Java, from Cuba, from The REV. GENTLEMAN commenced by adverting to the
place's?, froin Sumatra, from Manilla, and from various other diversity of opinion which prevailed in the meeting on cer-
alaniu We refused to take Brazilian sugar, but we went to taro subject's; but he was happy to perceive that the
titere"a? Sumatra, and Cochin, and we - said to the people uproarious reception which he had been met with by a
teodea •: Give us your sugar." They replied, "We bad in- preceding speaker had ended in perfect peace and love-like
Illiillio
,Lo have taken it elsewhere, but as we can get a tranquillity ?—(Laughter.) In meetings assembled for the
Eendin4', . mere for it in your market, we prefer great objects of Christian philanthropy, humanity, and pa-
tridrhis it to England." Now, that would leave the market triotism, there might be storms upon storms, but there could
laippkthey were wont to supply without their accustomed be no permanent antipathy.—(Bear, hear.) All the noise
"hat'lwesßrazil was in the habit of sending sugar there, and which they had heard was only the noise of every one trying
front thore they doing by withdrawing the Manilla sugar to keep his neighbour right.—(Laughter.) It was the noise
lip by, .se markets but creating a. void which would be filled of downright affection and warm regard. He must say, in
the eo:tl4ar from the Brazils.—(Cheers.) If it was against justice to the Committee, that before they left their room
they science of the people of this country to use this sugar, they agreed to all which had then been done. They must
so4eVold abstain from it ; but if the nation was without a have agitation; however, about everything—(Laughter)—for
defied lie-e on this subject—if it had no conscience—he theirs were the days of agitation, and it had become a habit of
end . the right of this Society to go to the Government their nature.—(Laughter.) Now to what did the resolution
Itlie whole ifor their assistance.—(Cheers.) They were begging direct their attention? It directed their attention to a great
,atis -,,°;° question when they said, if so many more hogs- and important work. If there were any present who con-
'one, i. ' sugar were produced, so many more slaves would be a are, tended that the Anti-Slavery Society should not continue to
rune ,21 their native land and transported to Brazil. They exist when they had no slaves, he would remind them that
thrung that which they could not prove.—(Cheers.) though this country had no slaves, slavery had not ceased to
Betigh‘vna prove it.—(Loud cheers.) How had they hitherto exist. The slaves which they had set free in their colonies
ah 1. to
tees Put an end to wrong-doing ? Why, by the best of were but a small minority. ['here were still two and a half
tie -etis-__h
, c ilie, y moral means. They had relied solely on pa- millions of slaves in America, two millions in the Brazils, and
'hey 1,1,,481 and if the Government had volunteered its aid, 800 000 in Cuba and Porto Rico. Let them think of six mil-
t!'lar " repudiated it. They wanted not the aid of the se- ' lion; of people still suffering under the lash notwithstanding
hiThey7:ll.; they looked to Heaven for aid.—(Great cheering.) all their efforts.—(Hear.) What an overwhelming spectacle.
e led on the Almighty.—(Renewed cheering.) There Should he now be asked what did they want with an Anti-
th anion ,
, sae h t, those who took an opposite view of this subject Slavery Society ?—(Hear, hear.) Six millions of his fellow-
ha Vita ? said that not a man in England should be taxed,‘ men wanted such a Society; and would they refuse their
i",aew th 2 Was enfranchised.—Cheers and interruption.) Ihe
Y aid to such numbers groaning under bondage ?—( Hear, hear.)
Rem at en this question the unenfranchised were against He knew they were told that the Government had entered
we • suh
1, re ti„ . eY knew that those who enjoyed the franchise into treaties with different Powers, with Brazil, with Spain,
t'llli, tealll,st them.—(Cries of "No polities," " Question." and with Portugal ; but if they left such matters in the
...slat the
at
WaS the question.—(Loud cheers.) They knew hands of Government, very little would be done. Govern-
fp (Clieeplat body of the unenfranchised were against them. meats cared more about remaining still in their office chairs,
„sletishieed'') They knew that the great body of the en - than about exerting themselves. In order to rouse them,
opt w ill were against - theta.—(Loud cheers.) They they must set the community about them, like a nest of
, .1111.,. the real opinion of a large proportion of hornets.—(Laughter.) Who was to sting our own Govern-
that the7llarnent was against them.—(Cheers.) They knew ment into exertion if not the Anti-Slavery Society ?
eh y wcYre were in a minority themselves—(Cheera)—and (Hear, hear.) But America—what were they to say to
Tittniel",,e9Pnorted in Parliament by men who had been America ?—(Hear, hear.) There were Christian men in
th4se 1,1: Y Inconsistent on this question.—(Loud cheering.) America, who, when they visited this country, laughed at
steir w‘i'D when it suited their interest to procure a law for royalty, which they called a pageant, and gloried in the free -
1, IN'es .i support, took the arguments of the Clarksons and dom of an independent republic. But they forgot that there
ti,4,,i'latiol,ll)°e'(eting their own arguments in support of class were two millions and a half of human beings in their
hesal b 'l'ey came forward with arguments furnished own country who were left under the lash. If they liked, let
clie•"siit3,„ the Anti-Slavery Society, and in the name of them call; the crown a bauble, but he would rather see
illet.ts.) i\t:orolsped up the West India interet. (Loud a crown, bauble as they . considered it, on ie
1146 atlinitted nswer had been given to the question, why, if head of a free weman, reigning over a free people,
auger, the produce o ifree labour States, at a than see the Declaration of Independence waved over
.Chn-
a* Whit
tri:..eon„iles
,tal duty as compared with the produce of our gress by the hand of the President of a nation containing
res„7, holds',‘ue sugar, if proffered by slave holding coun- slaves.—(Lowt cheers.) The independence of the boasted.
- re.•tied,_,,SS,. Dee refused ? That question had not been an- republic was, in such a case, shorn of all its glory, whilst
itott,... had never
This principle of refusing slave labour the halo round the crown commended it as the emblem' of a
trees never been introduced before. Why slave labour milder use. of power.—(Cheers.) He then adverted to the
t Was wag in the hull it was upon the platform.—(Cheers.
kit, --out their ) case of Brown, who had aided the escape of a female slave,
fett -----(ehee persons. (Cheers.) It was round their and strongly animadverted upon the conduct of the judge
in the their Is.) It manacled their feet—(Cheers)—it who commended the accused, to the mediation of the Saviour
,„,,. te shape
oefneles-7(Loud cheers)—it was in their pockets as the only means of taking away his crime. In conclusion
PreQous metals—(lmmense cheering)—and he called on the meeting to continue their support on behalf
ji'l'ets heY were
beIZ-grosso called upon to act upon the principle that of the Society.
ciple°°lislied !Prorrdkileo Was to be excluded until slavery should The Rev. kr. KILLOGG, President of Knox College in the
le th with, West reY were to be told that this was the prin- United States, seconded the resolution. He denied that
the e Cahine, udians in Parliament, with West Indians slavery was a part of the republicanism of America, and de-
.,„i .Inost talent 1, among whom was one who had been one of pree,ated its being treated in that light. lie also assured the
eta thd defendersthat of slavery in our own colonies. meeting that the anti-slavery cause was making great pro-
J,tro.‘.e- que.lt the' Premier had voted against them gress in his own country.
eg4;lea ?—(Loun,, clf, the abolition of flogging women in Sir GEORGE STEPHEN, in moving the next resolution, said
Digs o;tud again .i4o. etneers.) Why they had. had to meet that he, as an opponent of slavery, and a member of that
• PrePosi t•he eountr just hall to appeal to the religions feel- Association, should always oppose the introduction of slave-
-143 terns of t 7 to aid them in opposing the pro-slavery grown produce into this country. The resolution was to the
.• said
about
appliender men. Let them observe their argu- effect that Committees should be formed throughout the
leaped put coffee._ ~.o sugar, and sugar alone. Nothing was country for assisting in the suppression of slavery.
- Itierp °nt of the (.9ieers.) How was this ? Humanity had ' Mr. T. BUNTON rose to second the resolution, and said, as
• Jeetios Wa.i.rio htic_2lLee-pot into the sugar-bowl.—(Laughter.) they were anxious to hear Mr. O'Connell, he should not de-
tthen to takin4,usrlity in the coffee-pot. There was no ob- taro them ; and with respect to Mr. O'Connell he would oh-
tivati eaPital and eve-labour coffee, although three-fourths serve, that however they might differ with him in respect to
~,,h on of
co,,,labour of Brazil were employed in the col- political questions, it was but justice to the Hon. and Learned
lead° knew 'lee. Would
to 'that the extinctionthose men be likely to aid them Gentleman to say, that no one was more energetic or more
• la,ii . the
tit aica? competition,,,,. of Brazilian' sugar with the sugar of In conclusion, he would only ob.serve, that his father, Sir F.
. oifuost for ti;euceYo bound them. by. their interests to do-their Buxton, although not present, owing to the state of his
e'sress there to • ntinuance of slavery in the Brazils fur ever. health, was with them in heart and soul.—(Cheers.)
,r'er(rif.ere for tisPr‘e,test against their asking Government to Mr.'Josern STURGE said that a contribution would now be
141,,p;:n_g itche ,7e.t.)_ er.throw of slavery. lie objected to the made in aid of the Society, after which their friend Mr. Da-
rssoufg. TlX;ritutdkecalled upon- them to prove before niel O'Connell would address them.—(Applause.)
they.
wrse to force fur V always repudiated the idea of having The collection having been made—
law - to
seekin Lae propagation of their opinions, and now Mr. O'CONNELL rose, and was received with the most
q unless 8 gto have recourse to f • overn uPPorted by the
s alight hment ? It fightrn
- lit I, enot used bu •
be concealed, it might be inert, it—The resolutionwhich had been entrusted to him was
z_l.
iri ee,„_e
c, , t still it existed. The sun was hot blotted' to the effect that the meeting, in common with the
y d i
AilB feuds obscured his eff I '
. trld he"not the less exist, because u genre, and a standing great mass of their countrymen, had read with feel-
ti ''et them not the thunder ley saw not its bayonets
s ings of indignation and horror the sentence of death
,11,1
01100 back at of its cannon.— Loud cheers.) passed upon J. L. Brown, of South Carolina, by Judge
"r 0 hue)4ery th ra• • their reports for the last twelve
h le People e %ions character oftheir • years, O'Neill. He was a friend to free trade, but not to a free trade
eve recourse e e were upon them, efforts. The in slaves.—(Cheers.) It was said that if the Brazilian
repew to th • and lie besought them notes and Cuba sugar were admitted, it would be to this
bf, nited e - .e
,rid
of Government. T
- eoer • I•erY kindof force,• hey had always country an advantage of 50 per cent. But was that an
, _
ve ci__ .
, 1 '
,ii ~. °a nin that ball PP ever) tin argument in favour of traffic with slave owners. There had
a .4. .proposition WaS made to been in this country a man named Money Moses, who