New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-06-28


with paintings, and is now on his way to Rome
where he will finish the cartoons of these compost
tons Their success viii not be brilliant II we
may judge from the reception given by the Der
nese to former paintings by this iustrlous repre-
sentative OF romantic and Christian art in Germany
Letter from William II. seward to the Anti.
slavery Convention Mt Cincinnati.
ArBuRS May Goth lsi5
Gentlemen, Your letter OF the 18th of April. in
viting me 10 a southern and Western Convention
of the Friends OF Constitutional Liberty at Cincin-
natl has been received. You inform me that the
Convention will not be composed exclusively Of
members Of the Liberty Party. but will be- open TO
all who resolved 10 use every constitutional and
honorable means 10 effect the extinction of Slavery IN
their respective States and its reduction to its con
-titutOnal limits in the niied states
am profoundly sensible of the honor thus confer
red upon me. But uncomfortable circumstances
concurring with my own disposition, oblige me TO
avoid the political arena and devote myself assidu
ously 10 professional pursuits II | could at all at
tend Convention distant, should not stop 10
inquire OF whom IL was composed. IL would be
enough that its design was TO promote the abolition
of Slavery an object whose importance IL para
mount to that of every other which engages or can
engage the consideration of the American people.
Permit me with the utmost difference, to express
hope that the deliberations OF the Convention may
De conducted in spirit of wise and enlightened
moderation ! have always sympathiset with Abo-
litionsts too deeply be of those who hndercd
or cmbarrass them, BY complaining OF their intern
pcrac zeal and exposing the righteousness OF their
measures But the cause OF Emancipation has now
reached an interesting crisis. The sentiment OF jus
ticc 10 the African race has nj length become pO-
iiiica element important to be overlooked or dis
regarded by either OF the great political parties The
expectancy of practical Emancipation i directly
discussed in one slave State and thousands pre-
f,r, /, ~, n.bor Sfas,. uh,fa tho N has
seemed impregnabc. Its advocates fail to convince
the people that is humane, or necessary. or even
harmless anomaly in our constitution. Ncyerthe
less popular action is checked by alarms concerning
the threatened dangers OF Emancipation, Civil Wars
and Dissolution of the Union We live IN an age
when the pacific influences OF Christianity widely
diiiused and we shrink from prosecuting even
the most benevolent designs it they seem to involve
the calamitie- of war. II we enalysc the national
passion OF patriotism, shall find il TO consist chief
ly in veneraiion for the Constitution and devotion 10
the Mon of the States. AT the same time the seem
ing indifference OF the people concerning the guilt
and danger of Slavery has been rk some 10 the I'M
petuous that many who have been este.ned wise
and patriotic citizens, have totreat OF disunon,
as ii il were preferable TO further torbearahce, or
were in some way involved in the success OF aboIl.
ton. trust that such sentiments VIII he discarded
Whatever hopes may be indulgcd III by those who
permit themselves TO speculate concerning secession
or notification we have enjoyed more Astounding
national prosperity, more perfect political and social
equality and more precious civil and religious iber-
W by, through and with our present constitution,
han were ever before secured by any people we
cannot know what portion OF these blessings would
be lost bv dssolvin ing the present fabric and con
structing another others IN its place Heaven
forbid that We should even contemplate the experl'
ment.
Prudence in regard to the cause OF Emancipation
forbids the indulgence of a thought OF Disunion II
il be coniessedly difficult TO awake the national
conscience while the patriotism OF Aboitonlss can
no, be Justly questioned ii would be runous to suffer
20 noble an enterprise 10 be at all connected with
designs which however they may be excused or
Daated must nevertheless be sedious and trea-
,onable.
grant tina, the Annexation OF Texas. through the
failure of concert among the opponents OF Slavery,
vastly increases the difficulty OF Emancipation But
still trus, that THAT great enterprise be conduct
ed with discretion. il will advance faster than the
population and political influence OF the new Terri
tory The shareholders have enlarged the domain
of our country. Let this untoward event only ex-
cite us the more. Let US rouse ourselves TO the ne
cessary effort and enlarge indeed the Area OF
Freedom.
Men differ much in temperament and suscep,i-
biliiv and are 50 varous y situated that they re
celve from the same causes very unequal impress
>Ons Ii il not in human nature that all who desire
the abolition of Slavery should be niiamcd with
equal zeal and different degrees OF iervor produce
different opinions concerning the measures proper 10
be adopted Great caution Is necessary therefore TO
preserve mutual confidence and harmony. No cause,
however lust can flourish without these. Christian
Europe lost the Holy sepulchre which had cost 30
many sacrifices less by the bravery OF the Saraccns
than bv the mutual controversies of the Crusaders
The Protestant Reformation was arrested two hun
bred years ago, by the distraction OF the Reform
ers and not a turlong breadth has since been gam
ed from the Papal Hierarchy.
| am far from denying that any class OF Abolition
lists has done much good for their common cause
but think the whole result has been much dunn
shed BY the angry conflicts between them, often on
mere metaphy -ical questions sincerely hope that
these conflicts may now cease. Emancipation II
now political enterprise, 10 be effected hrouehi the
consent and action of the American people They
will lend no counicnance favor TO any other than
lawful and constitutional means. Nor Is the range
of our efforts narrow v. clrcumscrbcd by the Con
s.tution.
In many of the Free States there is large mass
of citizcns DISTINGUISHED on the ground OF color
They must be invested with the right OF suffrage,
Give them this right and their influence will be I'm
,nedaielv felt In the National Councils, and II Is
needless TO saw will be cas-, in favor OF those who
uphold the cause of Human Liberty We mus, NJ
sst asingly the admission of Slave States and
urge and demand the abolition OF slavery IN the DIS
,rici of Columbia. We have secured the Right Of
Petition but the Federal Government continues 10
he swerved by the influences Of Slavery before.
This tendency can and must be commended and
when one independent Congress shall have been
elected the internal Slave Trade will be subjected
10 inquiry. Amendments to the Constitution may
be initiated and the obstacles in the way OF Eman-
cipaton will no longer appear insurmountnble
But gentlemen. fear ! may appear to dogma.
tie when only Intended TO invoke concession II
seem to do so too earnestly II is because ice so
deeply intere ted in the TO which your efforts
are devoted, and because ! believe with Burke,
that we ought in political affairs with al the
moderation which does no, absolutely enervate that
vigor and quench that fervcncy of SPIRIT without
which the best wishes for the public good must
cvaporaie in empty speculation
am gentlemen very respectfully. your humble -erv Z
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
TosP Chase Samuel Lewis. X. B. Pullan w. Biz.
ney. Owen Owens. COMMITTEE
Do>'r DESPAIR OF THE MOST HARDENED
Make no calculation that any are 20 strong. proud,
wicked. prejudiced. or unbelcvng. that the Gospel
cannot subdue them They have souls. and they
-. ,,al;ngs Tbev often feel msgiying-. and fears.