Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-09-21
NORTHERN MEETINGS.

We're we to publish the proceedings OF all the
meetings, ON the abolition question, which reach
US, from the North we should have room for moth
ing else. We must therefore, content ourselves
with bare annuncaions of the fact that such
meetings are held, except where something extra
ordinary may caima more particular and extended
notice. To the places heretofore announced. in
v which meetings have been held for the purpose OF
= dcnouneing the AbolitionistS, we may now add the
following OStcgo, brooklyn, Utica, \. V; New
Haven, Conn. WiscaSset, Brunswick, Bangor,
Ilaowell and York, in Maine Newark, y. J. :
Harrisburg, Penn. and Portsmouth and Concord,
\. H., at the latter of which the celebrated Isaac
Hill made an orthodox speech, to which we refer
with the more pleasure as it is Of the yer, few
subjects upon which there is any ding like an
approximation of opinion between him and our
selves.
And, after all, to what point do all these express
sions OF opinion tend ? If the Northern people
intend to stop here, it is ror, ct prcterca nihI-
empty declaration, signilying nothing. We are
assured, over and over again. that the Abolitoni,s
constitute contemplate fraction Of the Northern
people, and that their principles and their mcds-
are held in almost universal adherence and
dctcstaon. Is it, then asking too much of them,
toinsisi that they shall be slencel-bylcg means,
fpublic opinion is found to be inadequate to the
purposel
Bot then are told, that Art. | Of the amend
ments to the federal constitution provides that Con
gress shall make no law " abrdgine the freedom
n ,t tl,n Ill. To-:
the discussion of this subject may be regarded as
coming within that provision, we reply that we do
not ask Congress to egisate upon the subject at
ALL We ask the legislatures Of Mr non-siare-
hotang States to restrain their citizens from in
terieimg with the internal and domestic relations
OF their sister States, differently circumstanced.
One OF them (the New York Amcrcan) here meets
us with clause Of the constitution Of his State :
and what is it! every citizen may freely, speak,
write and publish his sentiments on all subjects,
oems responsible for the abuse of that right"
And are not the publications of the Ants Slavery
society AN abuse of that right-acknovlcdgcd by
themselves to be so, to most perilouS extent |?
Van 'hey then, not punish this abuse by penalties
severe enough to pvt an end to ii
lhey surely will not say that "A law of this char
acter would abridgc the freedom of The press
II 1t would, 50 do the laws which punish the libel
Ter and the sandcrer-and to carry out their prin-
c'pe' they would be compelled to rcscint all such
""s and thereby put it in the power Of unprinci-
pea villains to convert the press into an rngine of
hcentiousnesS, pouring fourth daily its foul and
lo''"'lhs streams upon the hottest institutions and
'"e 'host HirnonS men. Abstract privileges, like
abstract truths, must be always modified by circun-
stances; and he who insists on a contrary cour,e
's o''nd 10 consequences as the beetle, and as
MAD as any lunatic that ever eraccd strait lack
CT As has been truly, remarked, your abst,uct
PmelPtf toof is the most incurable of madncn.