The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-20
The Morality OF AbOIitIOnism.

The Morality OF AboIitIonisn.
We perceive that several clergymen Of New
York and elsewhere have taken advantage of
the late Thanksgiving to state what they con-
ceive to be the duty Of the people of the United
States in respect to the Fhgitipe Slace Lar,
and the agitation growing out of it.. In gene
raj, their discourses have displayed sound theo-
logical and moral doctrines and will largely
contribute to dssipate the bewildering mists
which the &c Higher Lar" jugglers have spread
abroad. There is, however, one plain practical
view of this subject, as mere question Of
morals, which seems to have been overlooked or
only glanced at by these religious teachers.
We propose now to state this view; but, be-
fore proceed, it is necessary to classify those
who are called AboitiOnists. These consist of
two very distinct bodies. The members Of one
are out and out Aboltionists, who hold slavery
to be crime at all times and under all circum-
stances, and deem themselves called upon to
use all available means for its immediate re-
moval. AT the head Of these is WIN. LLOYD
GARRISON, man of moderate talents, infinite
vanity and disgusting affectation of philan-
thropy. His calbre and career are easily esti-
mated. Having been engaged in his agitation
for nearly twenty years, he still remains the
mere pivot of little knot of monomaniacs,
chiefly in Boston, who amuse the public by
semi-annual fits, in which ABBY Folsom,
WENDELL PHILLIPS, and certain PILsBURYs,
QUINcYs, &C. are the favorite performers. In
the North, where these people are known, their
exhibitions are theme of general ridcule;
but, in the sensitive South, they have, strange
to say, produced infinite mischief Their va
carries first led to the post-office restrictions !;
the " 1tcenty.tirst Rule" of January, 1887;
and other measures, which, reacting upon the
Northern States, brought into life the ''Liberty
Party" This was a political organization
and the harbinger of the modern Free Soil
Party In due time the Southern States felt
themselves driven to the adoption Of extreme
measures the rigid laws respecting slavery,
and which had been sofened by time, were
revived, and the condition of the slave was ne
cessarily rendered worse. Intellectual and reli-
gious education, which was being diffused
among them, was restricted or closed their
privileges were diminished a more jealous
watch was set over them; prisons and stripes,
in consequence of INSTRUMENTATION, instigated by
the Abolitionists, became their frequent doom.
And what was infinitely more mischievous
than ala powerful retrogradaton of public
opinion on the subject of slavery was forced
over the whole South. In Maryland, Virginia.
and Kentucky, where a movement toward
emancipation was going on, and where, left TO
| themselves, the people ere this would, in all
probability, have actually provided for the
gradual emancipation Of slavery-this move
ment was Immediately arrested Feeling them
selves attacked in their rights, and endangered
as to their lives and property, they took de-
fensive attitude, aud entrenched themselves in
| positions which, under other circumstances,
might have been regarded as extreme. 1t is a
curious fact, too that the IMMEDIATIsTs Of the
| North begot the PERPETUALIsTs of the South.
The South Carolina doctrine, that slavery is a
good institution, suited TO republican coun-
try, and, as such, is to be cherished and per-
petuated, is the thrifty bantling of WIN.
LLoyD GARRISON, ABBY Folsom, and their as
sOcates.
Such are some of the fruits Of these Abolition
operations. begun in Massachusetts, some twenty
years ago. Pretending 10 be the friends of the
slave. these fanatics have been to him bane-
ful curse affecting philanthropy, they have
done the work Of demons claiming to be an
gels Of light. they have been ministers of dark
mess pretending To agitaie in behalf Of truth,
they have been propagators Of error. They
cannot point 10 q single benefit they have
achieved as offset 10 the untold mischief
they have engendored.
Il u melancholy, indeed. TO reflect that a
party - Insignificant IN numbers, and so paltry
IA talent. should have had such power for the
accomplishment 81 evil, aud evil only. But
Pesiilesos. moral As we'll As physical, is won
deriully diflusive. A very small animal has been
ksswn ~ faint the atmosphere Coz mile in diam
49,. our DISCUS, h not le-sened when we take
saathst view II these mobonaniacs. The same
pFinciple which has led them 10 claim the aboli-
iion a slavery has led them 10 demand the poli-
tcal equality II women. Many Of them, hon
r-ilJ and l,'g,plly carrying ont their doctrines,
80 ss,ds tho Hide. reppdiaie the Sabbath
asd uv,irh against all legal punishments.
ssns arc even opposed 10 any Kind Of enacted
las fhsy al are burning with wrath against
she chnstian church. IN All Us sects and forms:
thsy denauncs the Constitution A. tainted with
slavery and rons ~ ~ members (FR,scis,
Jssssos, EBsrsp QUIrcr, SCI have refused
~ hsiid commissions a. Justices u the peace.