Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-22
TTE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, JULY 22, ls43.

pinions; never paltered in my own sent-
ments (cheers.) Inever said word in nit
igation of slavery, in my life; and | would
consider myself the most criminal of hu-
man beings, if l had done so (hear and
cheers) As an individual, | would not
hold converse with person who keeps a
slave CHEERS. | would not shake hands
with pickpocket-I would moi consent to
treat with familiarity the petty larceny
scoundrel: and why should do so with
the man who makes the life and labor of
his fellow man his property, instead Of lea
wing it the property of the being on whom
God conferred these gifts? (hear, hear, and
cheers) l say nothing to any person who
is not engaged in the maintenance of this
slavery system; but ! do say, that Mr..
Brosnan had no right to put forward the
argument Of the American Constitution be-
ing an authority in favor of the counte-
nance of slavery. That constitution tole-
rates slavery, but it does not oblige any one
to continue slavery (hear, hear) 1t does
not oblige any State to prevent the enamel
patton of its slaves (hear, hear3 but | put
the point on higher grounds. | put it on
the ground of its being contrary to the law
of God, for man to continne his fellow man
in slavery; and what the law of God for
bids, no human law can sustain or counter
ance (hear.) But the American Constitu-
ton, declares, in its opening paragraph
that all mankind are born to the inalienable
right of life, to liberty, and to the pursuits
of human happiness; and accordingly the
State of Massachusetts decided in its high
est court ofjudcature, that that declaration
overruled the slight allusion that was con-
tanned in it to slavery. But Columbia
where it exists. could tomorrow abolish
slavery, without the slightest breach of con-
stitutional principle, or of constitutional
law. But when they talk of the constitu-
ton, ask, why not put an end to slavery
there where they have the capitol of Amer
lean Lberty--the temple of constitutional
freedom--the hall of their assembly; and
where resides the President, chosen by
the people, where, in short, exists the sacred
temple of human liberty; but where, while
the white man is enjoying the blessings of
freedom, the streets resound with the lash
es inflicted on the back of the black slave;
where the children are torn from the par
ents, and the parents from the children;
where the yell of despair and the shrek
the ear. Yes, will say, shame upon every
man in America who is not an anti-slavery
man-shame and disgrace upon him! | do
not care for the consequences, but | will
not restrain my honest indignation of feel
ing, when | pronounce every man faith
less miscreant who does not take part for
the abolition of slavery tremendous cheers
for several minntes.)
1t may be said that offence will be taken
at these words; come what may from them,
they are my words (renewed applause)
The question never came regularly before
US, until now. We had it introduced col
laterally; we had it mentioned by persons
who were friends of ours and who were
endeavoring to maintain good relations be-
tween US and the shareholders; but il is only
now that it comes directly before US. We
might have shrunk from the question, by re-
ferring the document to committee; but |
would consider such a course unworthy OF
me, enjoying as do the confidence of the
virtuous, the religious, and the humane peo.
pie of Ireland; for would be unfit to be
what | would desire to consider myself, the
representative of the virtues of the people,
if were not ready to make every sacrifice
for them, rather than to give the least sane
ton to human slavery, accept this docu-
ment; and | embrace the opinions which it
contains; but will not here enter into the
question referred to in it, whether man
escaping from slavery is justified in taking
away another mans horse to assist him in
his flight; but believe there are few of the
pro-savery advocates, who, if they were
running away from an enemy. would scru
pie such liberty very much; or would find
much difficulty in considering whether a
black horse or a white horse was the best
fitted for his purpose Qaughter) l make
no excuse for the man who would take his
neighbor's horse, under such circumstances,
but this will say, that | would strongly
encourage every man to escape from slave
ry as soon as he can (hear) They say that
the anti-slavery advocates are for the i'm.
mediate abolition of the slaves. but ask,
which of themselves are favorable even to
gradual abolition! hear. They say, also,
that the slaves are worse treated since the
cry of the abolitionists has been raised in
their favor, as it has made their masters
more suspicious of them, and more severe
against them; but has that any weight with
me! How often was | told, during our
agitation, that "the Catholics would be 6.
manclpated, but for the violence of that
O'Connell" laughter. Why, one of the
cleverest men in the country wrote a PAM
phlet in 1927, in which he stated that the
Protestants of Ireland would emancpate
their Catholic countrymen long before, but
for me, and fellows of my kind; and yet,
two years after, got emancipation, in spite
of them Tchaars