Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-02-21


tiated the fondest hopes of the civilized world
arc nothing. A single idea has taken pos
session of their minds, ard onward they pur-
sue it, overlooking all barriers, reckless and
regardless OF all consequences. With this
class, the immediate abolition of slavery in
the District Of Columbia, and in the Territory
OF Florida, the prohibition of the removal OF
slaves from State to State, and the refusal
10 admit any new State, comprising within
its limits the institution Of domestic slavery,
are bnt SO many means conducting to the ac-
complshment of the ultimate but perilous
end at which they avowedly and boldly aim !;
are but so many short stngcs in the long and
bloody road to the distant goal at which they
would finally arrive. Their purpose is abo-
.ition, universal abolition, peacenbly if It can,
! forcibly if it must. Their object is no longer
conceded by the thinnest veil; it is avowed
and proclaimed. Utterly destitute Of con-
sii,utiona or other rgbtlu power, living in
totally distinct communities in which the
subject on which they would operate resides,
SO far Us concerns political power over that
subject, as if they lived in Africa or Asia,
they nevertheless promnlgate to the world
their purposes to be, 10 manumit forthwith,
aud without compensation, and without pre-
paration, three millions Of negro slaves under
Jurisdictions altogether separated from those
under which they live. ! have said that i'm
mediate abolition Of slavery in the District of
Columbia and in tho Territory Of Florida,
and the exclusion of new States, were only
means towards the atlainmold Of much
more important end. Unfortunately, they
are not the only means. Another, and much
more lamcntablc one is that which this class
is cndeavoring 10 employ, of arrayrng one
portion against another portion Of the Union.
With that view, in all their leading prints
and publications, the alleged horrors Of sla-
very are depicted in the most glowing and
Exaggerated coors, to excite the imagina-
lions and stimulate the rage Of the people in
the free States against the people in the
slave States. The STAKEHOLDER is held up
and represented az the most atrocious OF
human beings. Advertisements of fugitive
slaves and slaves TO be sold are carefully
collected and blazoned forth, to inluse spirit
Of detestation and hatred against one entire
portion and the largest section OF tho Union.
And like notorious ugitolor upon another
|, theatre, they would hunt down and prescribe
| from the pale Of civilized society the inhablt-
ants of that entire section. Allow me, MIR.
| President, TO say, that whilst recognize in
the Justly wounded feelings of the Minister
at the Court Of st. James much to excuse
the notice which he was provoked to take OF
that agitator, in my humble opinion, he woult
better have consulted the dignity OF his sta
ton and Of his country in treating him Will
contempiuous silence. He would exclude
US from European society-he who hlmsel
can only obtain contraband admission, ant
is received with scorniul repugnance into 1t
II lie be no more desrous Of our society thar
| we arc of his, he may rest assured that state
Y of eternal non-intercOuTse will exist between
lIus. Yes, sir, think the American Minister
! would have best pursued the dictates OF true
dignity by regarding the language OF the
| member of the British House OF Commons us
the malignant rawlings of the plundercr OF his
| own country, and the lbeller Of a foreign and
kindred people.
II But the means 10 which have already ed-
diverted nre not the only ones which this third
| Iclass of ultra .abolitonists are employing to
effect their ultimate end. They begun their
operations by protesting to employ only per-
suasve means in appeallng to the humanity
and cnlightening the understandings, OF the
slave-holding portion Of the Union. II there
: were some kindness in this avowcd motive
it must be acknowledged that there was ralh
: presumptuous display also of an assume
superiority in intelligence and knowledge
For some time they continued to make ines
Y appeals to our duty and our interest; but I'm
: patient with the slow influence of their iogi
] upon our stupid minds, they recently resolve
to change their system Of action. To tn
agency Of their powers Of persuasion, the.
now propose TO substitute the powers OF th'
ballot box and he must be blind to what Il
passing before us, who does not perceive
that the inevitable tendency of their proceed
; Iings is, if these should be found insufficient
to invoke, finally, the more potent powers o
: the bayonet.
Mr.. President, it is at this alarming stage
Of the proceedings of the ultra -abol'tlonlst
' that would seriously invite every consider
e ate man in the country solemnly TO pause
I and deliberately to reflect, not merely on ou
: existing posture, but upon that dreadful pre-
i cipice down which they would hurry us.
n is because these ultra-oboltionists hav
e ceased to employ the instruments q! rcaso
d and persuasion, have made their cause pc
Iltical, and have appealed to the ballot boz
I that / am induced, upon this occasion to az
u dress you.
a There hnve beon three epochs in the ll'
~ tory of our country Mt which the spirlt G
,, abolition displayed itself The first was III
3, mcdiately after the formation Of the preseI
s Federal Government. When the Constit'
u ton was about going inio operation, It's pow
a crs were not well understood by the comIn'
IS nifty a, large, and rcmaincd TO be accurate
u interpreted and defined. At that period NJ
J. merous abolition societies were formed col
r prsng not merely the Society Of Frenc
y but many other good men. Petitions we
e. presented to Congress, praying for the ab
!, lIlion OF slavery. They were received VII
VI on, serious opposition, referred, and report
lupon BY a committee. The report stat
>, that the General Government had no pow
"a to abolish slavery as il existed IN the seve'
= Sintes. and TINT these States themselves n
OF exclusive jurisdiction over The subject. "
n n-rcport was gently acquicsced IN, and sat
~ faction and tranquility cnsued the nbolll'
OF societies thereafter limiting their exertlor
rs in respect to the black population, 10 oilic
: of humanity within the scope oil sh'sli'
=, avs.
: The next period when the subject OF sla
:, crv. and abolition incidentally, was broue
;, into notice aud dlscusslon, was That on ,
y. memorable occasion ol the admlsslon oi
w State of Missouri into the Union. The s'ru
~ Gle was long, strenuous aud fearful. IL
:" loo recent 10 make il necessary To do INT
~" than merely advert to IT, aud to say, that
W was finally composed BY one OF those co
~ promises Characteristic OF our institutlons,s a