State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-05

say, that their sentiments ON this subject .
spring out of considerations OF too high |
a character, and look to consequences Of
too solemn an import, to be shaken Ivy |
slight causes. With only generous con-
fidencc on the pnrt of the South in their
brethren of tie North, and firm deter
on the part of each, to visit with
their severest displeasure any attempt TO
connect the subject with party politics,
those sentiments cannot be overthrown.
All future attempts on the part of the abo-
ltionsts to do so, will then only serve to
accumulate and concentrate public odium
on themselves. That there are persons at the
North who are far from c0ncurring in the
prevailing sentiment ] have described, is
certainly true; but their numbers, when
compared with the rest of the community,
are very inconsiderable I; and if the condi-
ton of things he not greatly aggravated by
imprudence, many of them. have no
doubt, will ultimately adopt soundcr views
of the subject; and the efforts Of those
who may persist in the work of agitation,
may be overcome by reason or rendered
imperative by constitutional remedies.
To one class Of those who have hitherto
pettioned Congress for the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia, can
not forbear TO refer. allude to the socie-
ty of Friends, or the people usually de-
nominated Quakers. The uniformity of
their course upon this subject, the temper
ate manner in which it has been manifest
ed, and the marked excellence of their
conduct and character appear to have
cOnciliated respect for their motives, even
from those who differ with them il opn-
ion. As far us my observation has enabled
me to Judge, it is due to them to say, that
us there has been no indication of any
change of opinion upon their part during
The present excitement, so has there been
no evidence Of disposition to lend them
selves to the undue agitatons of the public
mind attempted by others. There is GER
tainly no class of people in this country,
who have deeper interest in the preser-
walton of the Union and Of the happy sys-
TEN of government which it upholds, than
they and it has now become very appa-
rent to all rejecting and Observing minds,
that the question of slavery in the District
of Colunibia cannot be pressed to the re-
suit they desire, with safety to those para
mount objects. Do not these considerations
justify the hope, that from them at least,
we may reasonably expect for the future,
mode Of dealing with the subject, which,
while it does no injustice TO their principles,
shall repress, instead of increasing agita-
ton, and not endanger the great interests
TO which | have referred To doubt it
would be to distrust the influence which
industry, morality, intelligence and repub-
lican habits--quaities which all admit
them to possess in n high degree, are cal
culated, in great emergencies, to exert up
on the conduct of their possessors. And
for the like reason, 1t may certainly be eX-
pected that well disposed persons of other
religious denominations, who, with full
consideration of the difficulties which sur
round this subject, and of the dangerous
consequences to which the efforts of the
aboIitionists SO evidently tend have lent to
those efforts the influence of their names
and character, will he careful hereafter to
avoid the repetition of an error SO uniortu-
nate and mischieyous.
In every view Of the subject, therefore,
it does appear to me, that, although there
certainly is, in the present condition of the
country in relation TO it, sufficient 10 eX-
cite the most serious attention, there is
nothing in the state of public opinion in the
United States TO justify that panic in the
public mind, which invariably diSqualifies
those who partakc of it, from dealing wise
ly or successfully with the circumstances
by which it is produced. From abroad
we have, think, some right to expect less
interference than heretofore. We shall, |
am confident, for some time at least, have
no more foreign agents to enlighten US on
the subject. Recent results here, and the
Z =. III. IL II.
attended, cannot fail 10 attract the attention
of the reading and rejecting portion OF
the foreign public. BY these means they
will be made TO understand our real condi-
ton in this respect, and they will know
/ that the Interchangeable law of that cCndi-
ton is, that the slave question must be left
to the control Of the slave holding States
| themselves, without molestation or inter
ference from any quarter; that foreign in
reference Of every description can only
be injurious to the slave, without benefit tC
any interest, and will not be endured by
any section of our country; and that any
interference, coming from even the non
slave-holding portions of our own territory
is calculated TO endanger the pcrpetuity
and if sanctioned by The General Govern
ment, would inevitably occasion the disso'
luton Of our happy Union. Seeing the
subject in this, its true aspect, and con
scious as they must be, that the downfall
of this republic would be the severes
blow that the cause of liberty and self
government could receive, and from which
lis recovery would be hopeless, the wise
and the good amongst them--,hosc who
are really guided by the principles of jus
tice and humaniry--.will pause and uck
nowledse that they have miyapprchende,
the true bearings of this question. Insteac
of accusing our cOuntrymen, who hol,
property in slaves, with disregardmg tho
general principles of liberty and the die
tates of pure religion, they will recognize
in this class of our citizens, MS SINGER,
friends 10 the happiness OF mankind as an!