Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-08-13
Letter From Horace Greedy to the Anti.
Slavery Convention At CINCINNATI.
From the Cincinnati Morning Herald.
New YORK, June Sd, 1915.


From the CINCINNATI Morning Herald.
New YORK, June Sd, 1915.
Dear SIR IL received, weeks since, your let-
ter inviting me to be present at General Con-
veniion of opponents of Human Slavery, prospect.
i've Of past differences and party organizations. |
have delayed till the last moment my answer,
hoping might this season indulge a long cher
Ished desire and purpose by visiting your section
and city, in which case j should certainly have
attended your Convention. Being now reIuc-
antly compelled to forego or indefinitely postpone
that visit, have no resources but TO ackno ledge
your courtesy in letter.
In saying that | should have attended YOUR
Convention had been able to visit Cincinnati
this month, would by no means be understood
as implying that would have claimed to share in
lis deliberations still less that should have been
likely to unle in the course of action to which
these deliberations will probably end Whether
there 'can true reconcement grow between those
opponents of Slavery whom the late Presidential
Election arrayed against each other in desperate
Conflict, do not venture to predict Most surely
that large portion Of them with whom acted,
and still act, have been confirmed in our previous
convictions of duty by The results of that election,
aud by the momentous conse puences which j, has
question of Slavery, but TO all questions, have by
That result been warned against pledging myself
10 any special and isolated Reform in such man.
ner as 10 interfere with and feter my freedom and
abIIIiy 10 acI decisivey and effectively upon more
general and Immediately practical considerations
OF National interests and Human wellbeing. You
and yours, understand, have been confirmed 10
an opposite conviction. Time must decide on
which side is the right.
But while | cannot hope that | should have
been able TO unite with YOU upon any definite
course ofaction 10 be henceforth pursued By all
of Slavery. irrespective of past pres
en differences. should have gladly met you, con-
ierred with you, compared opinions, and agreed TO
act together far joint action is not forbidden
by conflicting opinions. Animated by this spirit,
shall venture to set before you, and ask the Con-
ventioa TO consider, some views which deem es-
sentia as bearing the present condition aud ul
innate success of the Anti Slavery movement.
What is Slavery? You will probably answer:
''Ihe legal subsection of one human being to the
will and power of another" But this definition
appears to me inaccurate on both sldes-ioo broad.
and at the same time, too narrow. 1t is too broad
in that it includes the subsection founded in the !
paren al aud similar relations; narrow, in that
it excludes the subjecticn founded in other neces-
sites not less stringent than those imposed by stat.
Ute. We must seek some truer definition.
understand by slave v, that condition in which
one human being exists mainly as convenience
for other human beings-in which the time, the
sxertions, the faculties of a part ofihe Human
Family are made to snbserve. not their own de- /
physical. intellectual and moral but
he comfort, advantage or capr;ces of others. In
hort, wherever service is rendered from one hu
nan being TO anolher, on footing OF one side and
lot of mutual obigation-when the relation be-
ween The servant aud the served is one not of af-
ection and reciprocal good officers, but of the
social ascendencv and power over sub
isience on the one hand and of necessity serviliy
md degradation on The oher--ihere, in my view,
$ Slavery.
You will readily understand, therefore that, if l
egard your enterprise with less absorbing inter-
st than you do, it is not that deem Slavery
ess but greater evil. III am less troubled con-
ernng the Slavery prevalent in Charleston or
lew- Orleans, i, is because see so much Slavery
\ New York, which appears to claim my hrst ell /
orts. rejoice in believing that there is less OF II
n your several communities and neIghborho6ds
nj that it does exis, there am compelled to be-
eve. In esteeming il my duty to preach Reform
rst to my own nelghbors and kindred. would by y
10 means attempt to censure those whose consci-
uces prescribe different course. Still less wod'
undertake TO say that the Slavery of the South is
ot more hedIous in kind aud degree than that
shich prevails at The North. The fact that it Is
nore fragrant and palpabie renders opposition to
comparatively easy aud its speedy downfall GEL
ain. But how canI devote myself 10 a crusade
gainst distant servitude, when discern its es
ence prevailing my immediate community and
eighborhoodl nay, when ! have not yet saccee- |