State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-30
ABOLlTloNIsTs AND DIsUNION.

ABOLlTlONISTS AND DISUNION.
1t is one of the charges most frequently
brought against the abolitionists, that their
movements tend to the dissolution of the
Union. Ifths under the pressure of pres
ent eXigences, may seem TO be true, there
are no persons who more ardenty wish for
a contrary result, than aboitionists them
selves. That they have not set out with
any such design they have repeatedly de-
cared, and this is generally conceded by
would more grieve them than to see the
South so desperate in the sin of slave
holding as to be willing to dissolve the
Union in order to shut out the light of
truth from their country. If the South
they alone would he responsible for the
result. / The very foundation of this charge
against abolitionists, is the tenacity with
which the South cling to the damning sin of
slavery.
Abolitionists, however, are free TO ac-
knowledge, that they wish every political
relation TO be dissolved, which makes them
as Citizens of the nation, in any sense, the
supporters of Southern oppression. IF
driven to extrenIities, if slavery must per-
petually and eternaliy exist in any state, abo-
litionists would prefer that all political I'M
ion with that State, should be dissolved {;
and this too, in consistency with the foun.
dation of our national compact, which de-
clares that all men are harm free and equat,
and independent, and haze certain natural.
inherent, and inalienable rights. But, lest
aboltionists should appear reckless in
making such choice, let us see in what
light, this whole subject presents itself to
our consideration. From the ratio of the
increase of slave population over that of
the whites in many of the slave states, it is
capable of mathematical demonstration that
the day is not far distant when the power
of the white population will be inadequate
for the control of the blacks. We cannot
but anticipate that when the day approach
es, there will be tremendous struggles be.
tween the oppressed and the oppressor,
| which will either result in the massacre of
the whites or their Punishment from the
country. Even the opposers of immediate
abolition, acknowledge that it is fearful to
look forward through such a calculation to
the inevitable result of the system of slave
ry, should it long be continued in our coun-
try. Even then look with terror at the ruin
bearing cloud that lowers darkly over the
head of the oppressor. They LOOKOUT
lest the 'fanatical madness of abollionsm,'
should sieze their spirits, they turn away
and hide their eyes beneath the veil of
present erpediency
Abotionsts behold these threatning dan
gers, and in view of them, they feel that
patriotism requires every friend of his
country TO arouse to action. They believe
that il any thing would be done to save the
country, it must be done now. Though
the evil Of slavery appears desperate, yet it
is becoming every day more so. BY put
ting far away in our minds the evil day,
we only cause the seat of violence TO come
near, While the white population of the
slave states now possess sufficient power
to provide for the peaceable emancipation
of the slaves, consistent with their own
safety, abolitionists think there are grounds
for believing, that it is only the immedi-
ate exercise of this power, that will save
the white population and the slave
states from ruin. Hence, they labor to per-
suade the slave holder, to av ert such n cri-
sis, by giving his slaves their freedom, to so
alter the constitution of society, that the
preservation of order, harmony, and peace,
will be for the mutual interest ofall Hence,
instead of designing TO destroy the Union.
/, only Legitimate means to preserve il, by
exerting a moral powar TO bring it back to
the old foundation of liberty and equal
rights. They believe this to be the only
foundation on which the Union can perma-
nently stand, and that Union, which is
purchased by compromising with the spirit
! of oppression, is not only valueless, hut
will ultimately prove ruinous TO all concern
| cd ha N oAU 4 Ir.,,n
can never preserve it, when it embraces in
its principles the elements Of its own de-
slruction. Hence, if slavery must contnne
perpeiuaily in any state, aholiiionisis wish
not for the continuance of Union with
that state, because it is moral certainty
that state will fall, and they wish not to
, he dragged down to ruin along with it.