The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-08-25
Volume XII.

tens of thousands of mothers in this free re-
joicing land, who could not call their chill
dreu or themselves their own. No voice was
lifted up in their behalf, no prayer for them
mingled with the incense Of the public altar,
or added fragrance to the odors of the domes-
tic sacrifice. We labored by day and went to
our beds at night, as if no such thing as
slavery existed among our people. We re-
joiced as if none wept, aud blessed ourselves
as the freest, the best, and happiest of ma
| tons.
And what do we now see We see men
everywhere becoming sensible, that all this
Innocence and freedom, and happiness. are
married by the federation of system Of more
relentless oppression, Of more grinding, gal
ling, hopeless slavery, than ever disgraced
the earth, or defied the heavens. The pull
pit is no longer silent; public assemblies are
agitated by the question Of universal eman-
cipation. The rights of the oppressor, the
claims of the wronged, outraged humanity,
are weighed and appreciated. Not politi-
raj body can assemble, from the County
Convention to the National Legislature,
without being excited upon the subject.
Ecclesiastical assemblies are divided upon it.
The state and the church and the whole peo-
pie, are coming 10 be alive to The sin and
shame of American slavery.
What do we now see Why, total rev.
olplion n The state oflhe public mind-a sub
stantial and prevailing popular sentiment
against which no institutions can long main
tain themselves-a deep seated and heartfelt
respect for human rights and the blessings Of
freedom and knowledge and Christianity,
which cannot subsst in the same country, or
ri, nh ec.a
that cuts millions of human beings from ev-
eryIhing elevatiDg in knowledge, everything
precious in freedom. every thing divine and
heavenly in our holy religion. And this
great change is one Of the fruits Of discuss
ion.
Another effect of this discussion is iLat ii
has attracted 10 us the attention OF the
world. The increased intercourse among
the civilized nations has introduced new
standard Of national Justice and hOnor-the
public sentiment of the world. We feel the
force of the opinions of mankind we recog-
Dize the authority of the human race. No
pc 1pe, Of any cultivation, can be wholly re-
gardless Of this august tribunal. No usages
of society. no public wrong, no national error
or Immortality, that falls under the condem
nation of This memorable Judge, is likely long
ding State n his migrations and sojournngs
abroad. j.. marked aud rcprobated He feels
III IT case out Of his own country. He looks
back go !, wrL modification, and he turns to
Il with diminished self respect. His pairl-
o;i,m IS bundled. As the traveller who
| ewes he cabin Of one of cur Western steam
| boals al ihc rising oil the sun, and emerges
INTO the air OF The verdant fragrant morning.
/ hat no has mn
the night, till he returns TO it; so the citizen
of an Inconsistent, eiring, SHINING Republic.
bred amidst the wrongs of his native land,
must 20 out iIom it, before he can see its in
sliut6ns and its character in their true light.
! The American citizen sees the oppression
practced and justified in his own country.
r,ost clearly, and feels the shame most
keenly. as he comes home again from the
monarchles ofIhe Old World. There is no
longer "A country of Europe. where an Amer
lean Republican is secure from reproach.
Oar darkness is made to shine the world
over. Our discussions have discovered our
.uilt; have published our disgrace; have
brought down upon us the denunciation and
Reproduction of civilized man, everywhere
| take no pleasure in it as a national dishonor
but something is 10 be expected from il as a
national remedy.
These discussions have done yet mure
They have brought The Literature of The
world to bear upon the institution of Ameri-
cap Slavery.
The Instruments Of hun al power are
greatly changed. Armies, forts, arsenals.
and ships of ar have ceased 10 be the main
engines of influence among men. Govern
ment itselfis secondary agency in human
affairs The little column Of mysterious
characters, which SO puzzled and vexed our
childhood, has come TO have more weight,
in the history of The world, than all the bay
onets and cabinets of Europe. The press is
he predominant element Of our civilization.
Society is more directed and moulded by il
than by all other causes. And the press, in
all its departments, from the great produc-
tons of genius down to the daily illusions oil
fugitive thought in Magazines and newspa-
pers, IS substantially free in its tone. No
work of original mind. no creation of lofty
philosopher or poetic inspiration. ever
breathss a slavish spirit; such spirit is al
war with the sentiments Of true genius in all
ages. Ii has mining in it congenial with the
general views, the liberal feelings, the hu-
name, philanthropic enthusiasm of pro-
found and permanent literature.
The spirit of literature, more especially
Christian literature, rs free and friendly 10
freedom. And now that the eye Ofthe mas
ter is opened. and his sensibiiiry quickened
by public discussion of the system OF Amer
can slavery, be cannot study work OF mind,
he cannot read volume of poetry. cauno'
run over a romance or a novel Of the day,
without meeting contradiction ef his phi
losophy oflife, or encountering a rebuke ior
ms Inhumanity TO man. He cannot admire
the pictures of our common Shakespeare he
cannot be elevated by the grandeur of our
destiny and the wonders ofour redemption,
in Milton; he cannot inhale the sweet breath
of love from Compensation being impressed
with respect for human nature in its lowest
estate, and detestation of human slavery in
lis mildest form.
Were there no book but the Bible, it were
itself enough to stihe the institution of slave
ry. do not care if Abraham had servants
born TO him in his own house, il Moses rec
ognized slavery in his civil code, if oul
blessed Lord uttered moi a word OF condem-