Litchfield enquirer., 1842-03-24
From the Boston Courier.
THOUGHTS ON SLAVERY,
ADDR 2ssED TO THE REJECTING.

the world has known. The number of PEG.
pie, whose condition engages their sympa-
thy, the number of individuals, the wealth,
high standing, and political power of those
who are shareholders, swell the importance
of the effort Of the aboiitionists beyond the
bounds Of finite comprehension. To release
millions from the sway of millions, TO ami
hilale the doctrine that man is the righttul
property of men, is an undertaking which
rises to sublimity. The undertaking loses
| nothing of its sublimiy, when we consider
the professcd motives of those who are en-
gagged in it; the most lofty motives, which
can elevate the mind with sense of gram
deur, the most solemn, which can subdue it
to humility and truth.
But is the world conscious of the dignity
of the undertaking? Are the nboliloniSts
themselves under the constant government
| of that sense of responsiveness, that love Of
good, that calmness Of truth, which ought to
| characterize their efforts! He that aims af-
| ter high ends, can attain them only by be-
coming spirit. He must not he ii patriot on.
| ly. to burn with patriotic ardor !; his fires
must burn gently, consuming first his own
earthliness, before they mount up, us signals
| TO nations, and EDWARDS TO heaven.
What are the feelings. with which we, as
community, approach the subject Of slave
ry! Are we doing any good! Are we not.
through our vehemence. doing hurt! u is 81
small thing to say on paper, that the Union
may be dissolved but we have no right to
say so, until we can give an answer to God,
at the great day, Cor our impetuosity. Are
we not doing hurt Are we not pursuing
the end at which we aim, with IL violence.
which paitakes of pride, which man:tests as
much of selfish determination to have the
lonors Of II triumph, as Of u disinterested.
| 81
world? Consider the course of the aboll-
tionists, for the last ten years; to my view IT
bears the appearance of passion. Consider
the community now, and we all appear 10 be
becoming warm; we are irritated; some are
eXasperated, because in Congress and at the
South, we have been ill-treated.
We can do no good except by calmness.-
If our own rights have been abused. we may
indeed attain them after years OF contest.
years of passion-of passion which shall
shall sow the seeds of perpetual dislike and
cnmity between US and the South; but we
can be restored to the enjoyment of our
rights, without passionate contest. There is
no good end in the world, which cannot bet
ter be attained by calmness tina" by any 9th
er means. Whatever cause God approves
needs not the ndmixiure of mans tascr pas
sions. He who fights with God upon his
side. may carry on his cause with feelings OF
purity and peacefulnesS such as heaven It,
self entertains.
In the present excited state of the South.
we shall be ere long in trouble. il we do
not calm our spirits TO moderation. What
will highs sounding resolutions accomplish
Will they bring back the South TO sense
Of what is due to us! Do gentlemen propose
to terrify the South into submission to their
claims! Are the feelings between the North
and South already so hostile, that that party
shall carry its point, which threatens the
most evils, and shows courage to endure the
| most!
What less than the spirit Of compulsion
! has animated the movements of many pro.
frssed friends of philanthropy and religion?
What other spirit is it, that has dictated the
course Of our venerated representative IN
Congress! Like the skillful player on the
chess board. he watches his opportunity; he
means to conquer, not persuade; he uses IN.
genuity TO foil his opponents. and intends by
strength to compel them to his will.
| Many Of the abolilionists throughout the
country, seem to have given up the hope of
persuasion. Many, not abo'itionists. unite
! in spirit with them, to ask how can we cam
pei justice-how can we conquer our Oppo-
nentS. With such n spirit we may indeed
| procure the removal of the famous 2lst rule,
but the country, after its removal, will he as
badly off as now. Triumph and morlifca-
| ton will not make the South harmoniZe with
the North. The conqueror will insult the
conquered; the conquered will burn to a.
venge his defeat.
speak to those who profess tho peaceful
principle of the Christian religion. when !
say that we have no right to compel. but on.
ly 10 persuade. And call upon the aboii
tioninsts TO use their efforts not more ear
| neSflv mr. 6ev0tedlv for the slave than thew
do to repress excitement a: the North, and
quiet irritability at the South. 1t will be
easy to fan or people to a flame. The en-
thusiaSm of the few may be guided by prin.
ciple but when the abilitionist has awaken.
ed the passions Of the country, he will find
that men at large are not guided by princi-
Piles of their own, and that it is not in his
power to guide the whirlwind and direct the
storm.
We are at present engaged in contest in
respect 10 the right of petition. But have we
done nothing to awaken opposition! We
send petitions 10 those who are themselves
groaning under the weight which we wish
them TO remove, and every petition irritates
the wound, with which the burden gals
| them. We have awakened such fears, such
apprehension at the South, that many dare
not think upon the subject of emancipation.
Safety, representation. is the principle
which engrOsses their feelings; and, ny our
passionate appeals, ny our passionate inter,
| ference. we have driven them to think of
self-preservaiion as the only subject OF int.
rest. The South is no; in u state to be petit |
toned; and we are hound to wait, until the |
ferment. which we have aroused shall SUBJ |
side; till the people at the South can look |
about them, and see tina: there is no danger |
in what they dread; then they may listen to |