The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-30
Lord MOrpeth's Letter on Abolition.
Letter of Lord Morpeth, from the Liberty Bell 4" an
annual published at the Anti- Slavery Fair, held
in Boston, Dec 1872.

an Boston, Dec. lSf2.
CASTLE HOWARD, Oct 2S, 1872.
My DEAR MIS- CHAPMAN Your note has follow
en- me across the Atlantic, reminding me that when
you once asked me s. for the causes's sake" 10
write page or two tor your annual publication OF
the "Liber'y Bell, promised that " would think
oft" now write 10 tell you that have thought
OF II, and the result of my ripe reflection is con
vcton, that for the I" causes sake" il would be
better for me TO decline the honor of being one of
your contributors.
say emphaticay, " for the causes sake" Since
had the pleasure OF meeting you, all my personal
observation OF slavery has been made, and it has
spread over large surface | have been present at
debates on the subject in Congress have witness
ed the working and effects of the institutions of the
South and Southwest of your republic, and in the
Island OF Cuba have conversed with its friends
It's enemies, and with neutras, for such there
have met among planters and their families, with
persons not only of the most agreeable and refined
intercourse, but of high honor of real humanity of
deep and unaffected piety. Yet, so far from my
views OF the system having become modified,
should not feel myself precluded by any sentiments
OF decacy, even OF gratitude towards them from
giving the fullest and most public vent TO my
opnens or OF my feelings, If could think that 'the
cause" would thence derive the slightest benefit
The same grounds would induce me to concur in
any use to which 1t might please you 10 put what
now address to you. even with the purpose Of pro-
wing that should be out OF place among the regular
ringers of the Libert, Bell,
Not, most assurediy, is it from want of sympathy
that should abstain from being enrolled in that
advocates and agents Of many high qualities and ex-
allied virtues, so will not a zeal tor the abolition of
slavery ensure an exemption from faults and incon-
sstencles, errors 10 judgment and bunders in con-
duct But have learned to look upon you, and
those with whom you are associated, formally or
virtually throughout the wide Union, with respect
and interest scarcely to be inspired for any other
causes sake" on the. globe. Upon the soil of your
own continent, Astounding and abiding indeed are
the stores OF pleasant and instructive retrospect
which have garnercd up for myself from delight
ful mountaineering: from face OF nature, rich,
various; at least of its features uppa
ed; from subjects and undertakings which in their
developement OF progress must powerfully interest
every one who is alive to the ADVANCING destinies of
hls species Among these, the purpose which has
bandedyou together, appears to me to assume the
place OF the highest dignity; it may be of the great
est difhculty know not, in these latter days of
any other enterprise which combines so much of the
spirit OF oity chvalry with SO much of the sobrety
OF genuine pefy, which relies closely on the
logic OF the most statistical calculations and appeals
so largely TO the impulses of the most fervent hui
,nanty; which looks for such fruits on earth, and
has such root in heaven.
From a contact like this WHY can even seem IN
shrink! 1t Is plain that the conduct of all we'll
wlshers TO the cause ought to be resolved to one sim
pie issue-the good OF the cause itself. Now am
inclined TO believe that the admitted difficulties
by which 1t IS beset, would only be aggravated by
the Intervention OF foreign cooperation; sufficient
jealousy is on the alert among the tobacco rice cot
ton ana sugar growing States, against the proceed
L u
tor having 1t vhetted anew against the grasping and
perdious Albion, who Keeling, as we are often told
from the effect produced by her act OF emancipation
upon her own doomed dependencies, now unceasing-
| y strives to level all the bamy domains of slavery
In one common ruin. Desperate as NAV be the OBJ
useness OF conscience which | thus evince must
plainly state, that ii there topic on which can
bear with the most unmoved equanimity any amount
OF reprobaton, whether lavished from the Tribune
at Paris or from the floor Of the Capitol il ia on the
motives which inspired the part taken by my coun-
Try IN the emancipation OF her slave population
Within all the corners Of her territories, upon the
tree pillows OF The common ocean, should be the
last 10 bid her shrink from any right or effort which
her Municipal law, or the legitimate claim of gem
era humanity may exact or counsel
But, inside the precincts of your own Republic
| AMID the complicated relations Of your several
States, beneath the obligations of their federal con.
stsrom, It would appear to me that all foreign
ted and instructed to meet the special niceties of
the question:. would only tend to irritate the ele
msnts OF strife give fresh point to the aims of pre-
with the dignifed garb of wounded national honor
am conscious that may seem to you to magnify
any possible effect that might proceed from some
PROBABLY very polnlless scrap of composition: but in
all these matters IT should be more question of
principle than of degree. have seen before now.
that the susceptibility OF nations can stoop very low
as well as soar very high If foreign chime should
be detected IN the peal OF the Liberty Bell, know
not what startling echoes it might NOT awake en- IN the
deepest recesses OF Accomac. There is a line
which we happen to have often heard quoted among
ourselves N"e
Who would be Free themselves must strike the blow
Now, strong as my oplnlon would be upon the s,p.
position OF possible performance ofthe present svs
TEN, should think him bold man who could con-
template without shuddering the issue of a negro in
surection. Thu true application of the line in vony
Case is this:
Who would make free, themselves must strike the
blow. and, moreover, it the peculiar difficulties of
the struggle seem 10 point exclusively to American
efforts tor their solution, SO for American brows
ought to be reserved the undivided laurel of the tri
umph,, Though may have CHANGED to use the
metaphors OF war, yet 1t is plain, from the nature OF
the contest from the relative number of the parti-
sans, from the temper of the weapons employed.
that victory is 10 crown your exertions it must be-
as was the case in our own analogous, though less
arduous achievement. victory of argument, OF
reason, OF patience, Of conscience, of religion -
Though have forbade TO myself the meanest place
In your ranks, | shall remain no Indifferent specta-
tor OF the continuing conflict. The more obvious
marks OF public attention. on either side of the sea,
may be dlvertedt to other fields OF action you will
dispute about Presidents and we shall wra nele over
tariffs. | am not undertaking the importance which
attaches to such considerations, but after having
trod the confines of slavery after having traced orr
dark coored brethren in every condition. from the
boy with the crescent mark oil native royalty on his
broy, Just sold into eternal servude upon the shore
OF Cuba, TO the erect and disciplined recruit, who
firmly treads the soil of Canada, feel that hence
forth the main portion Of my interest hopes and as
plrations as 10 the comse of public events in the
world around me, must be directed to the onward
march OF human freedom In that imposing cause
the friends of the slave in the u States OF North Anne
rlca, appear to me TO hold the most forward and cr-
teal position. May all your armory be worthy OF
the service in which il must be wieded--thc gentle
ness that subdues, the discretion that guides without
keeping back the zeal that never coos, but never in
flames To say all, may you do the work of heaven
with the spirit Of heaven, accompanied by the SYM
pathies, the hopes and the prayers of the Christian
people of all nations; but relying alone on the
Everlasting Arms beneath you. and your own good
Believe me, my dear Mrs. Chapman,
with the most sincere esteem and good wishes,
your most faithful servant
MoRrKrH
Court or Common Pleas.