Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-08-29

so h,gh-spiriied as the slave holders of
the South could be cowed into compli-
ance by bitter reproaches Had the
Rev. DIR. Edwards, and others who pub
licy espoused the measures Of emanci-
patton adopted in Connecticut soon after
the revolutionary war, called slave hol-
ders MAN-srEALERs, in staring capitals,
as is done in the declaration Of the con-
veniion at Phil. .deIphia, to which | have
before alluded, would il not have excited
in the Northern Yankee, more ol resent
ment than conviction, and less OF COM
pliance than opposition The Southern
people have felt, and, to great degree,
Justly, that the aboitionists OF the North
were addressing their fears, and not
merely their understandings or conscien-
ces They have been addressed in
terms of opprobrious elimination, rarely
soliened by the language Of respect
This has made them inaccessible has
wrought up a temper which resists con-
viction or favorable influence, and has,
! fear, put off emancipation for at least
half a century hey ond the period when
It might have been effected; and exclu-
ded from the slaves those moral and
religious influences which were condu-
Give to their present and future good
This manner Of addressing the public
on these subjects can never result in the
good which is honestly Intended, but
must continue to render less and less
hopeful, the great object Of our sincere
endeavors. Could u missionary, thus
addr, ssing civilized heather, hope for
favorable audience
lftho whole North were united in the
couise in which The abolitionists are now
pursuing, it would have no tendency to
o, eIcome the opposition of the South
Ii might dissolve our national union
which you profess, and | trust, with sin
cerity, TO appreciate according to ITS
inestmable Horth-but would only ag
gravaie The aversion of the South to
measure Which they will never adopt
from coercion, unless by a servle insur-
rcc,ion, which your society so pOihtedly /
depreca,o. ! think, too, that the Ameri-
can Anti-savery Society is not only
aggravating the condition Of the Stare,
and converting his hopes into dark des.
pair but the free negroes are suffering
under the prejudice aud party spirit
which its ntemperance has engendcrad.
Party spirit entrenchcs the soul, and
iorllfies both head and heart, against
reason and moral influence. That So
ciety is also endangering tie peace and
union of the churches in the u. States,
Iy making a participation in their ex-
;esses, practically, il not in form, term
If communion. Indeed, there seems to
'e no interest Of primary importance in
'ur country, political or religious, which
$ not put in jeopardy by the honest men
Who are embarked in this benevolent,
'ut unwise and disastrous enterprise,
Is il is now conducted. respect their
motives while | deplore their errors
humanity, patriotism and piety long to
zee their ultimate end accomplished, but
weep over the desolaiion which marks
heir course. /
Your society, gentlemen, embraces
many whose names 1 venerate, and not
few of my personal and highly respec-
ed friends. AS you requested my sem
iments, could do no less than give
hem with planness and sincerity.
rust, although l cannot hope for your
that you will do the same
usiice to my motives which l have done
o yours. If my views OF the subject are
correct, the convention at Albany can
10 no good to the slaves or to the coun-
ry, unless they advise to an abandon
ment OF the errors which have hitherto
characterized the Anti-slavery Society.
| am Gentlemen, 4
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
DnrED M CIlEDNtAN