Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-11-21
ABOLITION.
Nix. BRECkENRlDGE'S LETTER TO Dn
WARDLAW

! Inc he' X. j. breckenridge ami George Thomp-
son, meeting OF the Glasgow Emancipation So
e'e's was held, at winch resolutions adept
ed, approving Of Mr. rhomp,ons course. ar.u
mrnts, DC, aud in no modest terms conLcn,nine
America, including her clergy and INSTITUTIONS.
d. Nardlaw made himself prominent at this
meeting by speech, which called forth the iol.
lowing letter from MIR. Breckenridge. II will b.
read with interest. We have seldom seen bet
ter specimen of man ioling hi, antagonist with
ms own weapons. In every point OF view W.
think MIR. Breckenridge has well and nobIy vnll-
Gated hls country, and acquired new honor for him.
sell.
To the Rev. Ralph IVardlau, D. d., Of Gla,-
sos:
SIR | observe in the London Patriot, of last
week, an abstract of the proceedings OF the Glis-
gov Emancipation Society on the first of this
month, at public meeting held for the purpose
ct expressing the sentiments of the Society in re-
ference To the recent discussion on American Sa-
very, between the Rev. X. }. Breckenridge and Mr.
Geo. Thompson The greater portion Of the
report before me is occupied with a speech made
by YOU on that occasion, in proposing TO the meet
ing the iollowin, resolution, viz That, in The
deliberate judgment of tins meeting, the wish am
nounced by Mr.. George Thompson, to meet pub
llcly any antagonist especially any minister Of the
Gospel from the United States, on the subject of
American Slavery, or on any one OF the branches
OF that subject, was dictated by we'll founded
consciousness OF tho integrity OF his purpose, and
assurance of the correctness OF his facts and that
the recent discussion in this city between him and
the Rev. X. J. breckenridge OF Baltimore, has left,
not merely mistaken, but confirmed and augment
ed, their confidence in the rcclltude OF his prnci-
Piles, the purity OF his motives the proprciy of hi.
measures, The fidelity of his statements, and the
,fr nod, nt,I ~,
OF his zeal" This motion was seconded by til.
venerable and respected DR.. kidstone, Whose
! speech on the occasion is but briefly reported
Other resolutions, some OF similar import, some OF
IA general character, were offered and seconded by
DIR. Heugh, and Alessrs. Eadie, King, McLaren,
and Kettle. But, above all, the proceedings bear
the signature OF Robert Grah4me, of White
hill, whose venerable name is dear to every GOOD
man.
These proceedings, sir, have relieved me from
state OF great and painful anxiety to the view
my countrymen mg take of the plopriety Of my
taking any notice, more or less, of Mr.. George
Thompson. For, while nothing is further from
my purpose than to wound the feelings OF any
friend Of that individual, il is necessary to say
that, III America, every one who is not a nboli
tlon'sf, or IN other words, ninety nine hundredths
! OF the people, consider him not only unworthy Of
credit, but unworthy OF notice At length, ha..
ii tangible proof by whichto make my country
men feel that persons of the utmost respecta-
bllity, excellence, and pie,y, in Britain, not only
concur in all the principles and proceedings, but
partake OF all the prejudice. and ignorance Of
this individual, and openly defend his 1agi,ious
course.
From this day FORTH l deem myself fully
quilted on the only part OF the subject which filled
me with personal anxiety. For although you have
not hesitated TO speak in terms sufficiently dspar-
aging OF my humble effort 10 defend the truth. yet,
n you have gwen no reasons for the Judgment YOU
have delivered, those who cad for themselves may
escape the influence even of your authority and
as YOU have been pleased to decide on the whole
merits of the case, As we'll on the merits of the
parties involved in il, escape, of course, from the
whole blame OF having damaged the truth by feeble
advocacy.
In this state of the case, it cannot surprise you
that turn with dcligh from those who lavs hilh-
erto assailed me, and address myself to you ; that
avail myself OF the RICH arising from your free
and repeated Use OF my name and your judgments
both upon my character and acts to speak freely
! in return Let us not forget the miserable trfng
Of Mr.. Robert Bernard Hall. Let pass over
poor Moses Roper, who, it is but just to say, has
written the most modest and sensible attack yet
mad. on me. Let us even be moderate, in having
absolutely sicnced tho garrutv OF Mr.. Thompson,
|
ed me in the Patriot of the 9Th inst. have that
to say which you have not only invited but ci,al-
lenged me to utter, and to which ask your serious
regard.
l have manifested my Difference to the judg-
went of Christian people, by discussing at its bar
questions purely national and personal, into which.
under ERRONEOUS prstcxts, thoy had intecred IN a
manner tho most yexatious. | believed they were IN
greaerrsr; knew they sincere Y dsposedto
do good l knew they were doing us, and themselves,
and the world harm and challenged and forced
into the matter have discussed it its mere me
rs, admitting you and your people to be all you
proiessed to be, and only endeavoring to prove
that we were not as evil you made US out. so
! far as you and those you influence arc con-
cernsd, you have declared that you remain more
firmly than settled in your harsh judgments
OF u.s. and your fixed purpose to follow out all your
offensive courses. Nay, YOU plainly declare that,
rather than alter title Of your conduct, princi-
pies, opinions, or demands on this subject, you pre-
| fer that all fellowship between us and YOU should
terminate. That argument and conclusion, being
complete and final, We need say no more am
content 10 wait and SEQ whether the American
People will, at your suggestion, change their ma
tona Constitution or whether, IN the event OF the
adequate majority for that purpose not being at
tainabe, they " ILL., as the inference OF your argu-
ment, break up tho conisderacy, TO regain your
good opinion.
There is, as have said, quite another view OF
the whole case. You say, in the course OF yodr
speech, " II our American brethren saw any thing
in us which thev thought, and Justly thought,