The Delaware abolitionist. (Wilmington, Del.) 1847-18??, 1848-12-31


timely retreat into a new threatre.
II this is all that is true of the anti-slavery
influence in stimulating the opposite interest,
il resolves itself merely into a question of
time: for it is'notorious that the six original
slave States had grown TO thirteen, and six
hundred thousand slaves had increased TO two
millions while the North was yet passively
non-reslstant. And the same causes would as
certainly, though perhaps more slowly have
gone on till the very same results which are
now claimed upon the provocation of The North,
would have happened The argument there
fore is nothing but the wrong justfying its pre-
cipitancy and violence BY the aggression of the
right which it ressts. In this way the law
causes the outrage of the delinquents resist
ance and the existence of legitimate auihori-
ty occasions the turbulence of armed rebellion.
So far, we stand acquitted of all culpability in
such an accident of our agency.
But it is also charged that the spirit and
manner of the assault upon the position of the
South has been inconsiderate and indiscreet.-
In this also there may be some truth; but at
the same time, it may afford The South no JUS
LITIGATION for it was almost unavoidable in the
circumstances of an enterprise SO difficult in
itself, and resisted as this has been.
1t is also charged with injustice 10 the vast
pecuniary interests invested, on the guaranty
of the public law, in the persons and labor of
slaves. It's not pretended that the slave has
in any way, either by his own OF his ancestors
acts, contracted debt or duty TO his master,
which forfeits his liberty and labor; but the
claimant says he has virtual contract with US
for the profits OF this third party's labor; and
ii becomes not us 10 demand the RECESSION of
the contract as void in law, or contrary TO
h 10,
nent and respectable, if not valid in fact, if it
came as one of the conditions Of proposition
10 do Justice to the injured party, offered in
good faith, and 10 be adjusted equitaby. If
we have in any way induced them TO accept
bad title, and if they proposed to begin by
surrendering what they ought not 10 hold
against the injured party, there would be
sense, justice and good conscience in demand
ing from such reparation OF actual damage as
we have occasioned, and we ought 10 make it
| good to the last shilling.
We say they have no right to the slaves +;
| they answer that we helped them 10 steal
them, and had our share of the first profits
| We say that we have repented, and if they
l. vvill do tho same will settle the whole ac-
count fairly. But settle or not settle, the slave
is entitled TO his freedom. And if we do owe
you anything for helping 10 steal him, and are
liable upon our warranty of title, still, both
parties are more deeply in debt 10 the stolen
man, Tor all the wrongs inflicted upon him, and
that account should not be made to await the
adjustment OF ours.
The pretense that emancipation upon the
soil is mpraciicable is sufficiently answered
| by the fact that the system of slavery is intol-
erable-out of the harmony of things, and fit
ted only TO destroy and be itself destroyed
| Il priori, if God made the slave a man. socie.
ty cannot reverse His purpose. The omnipo-
tent cause is in constant effort 10 achieve the
design, and the whole economy of things tends
constantly 10 its ullmation. The same truth
demonstrated in the worlds experience
Providence has written on every feature Of
the system 81 will overturn, overturn," and
abolitonism is an inevitable fact 1t may be
postponed but cannot be prevented.
II is unavailing TO object the faults of the e.
Emancipation movement against its essence
The strength and wisdom of maturity will cor.
rect the faults and errors of infancy, and oppo.
silion will only discipline the agents and means
into perfect adaptation.
In the meantime, however, aboionsts
should look earnestly and respectfully into the
argument of the enemy and learn whatever il
is capable of teaching, fer 1t is not enough Il
be right in principle and aim !; we mnst ast
do foil Justice TO the antagonist interest, form
wrong doer is wholly wrong and few REFORM
ers are wholly rght) and adopt the means an(
accommodate the measures to The state ant
circumstances of the evil. The divine admin
istraticn is always in wise relation TO lis SUB
lects, and human Intervention must adius
itself 10 the particular character Of the work
Daily Republic.