The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-02

Mr. w ood then took the chair, and Mr.. Dean
said that, by the instructions OF the committee, he
had 10 propose the following gentlemen for vice
presidents and secretaries:
VICE PRESIDENTS.
Moses Taylor VIM. 5. Wetmore
VIM III. Aspinwall Edward X Collins,
John H. Brewer, Matthew Morgan,
Francis Griffin, Lora Nash,
Joseph Kernochan, John T. b. Maxwell
Francis 5. Lathrop, Mortimer Livingston,
Robert Laton, Joshua J. Henry,
Charles O.. Carleton, Henry Young,
Gustavus A. Conover, Isaac Townsend,
Robert Smith, Samuel L. Mitchell,
y. Marvin Beckwith, Schuyler Livingston,
William Tucker S. b. Althouse
Jacob 4. WesteTyelt David w. Catlin,
Joseph Petit, Henry Chauncey,
Reuben WIthers, Charles NJ. Leupp,
VIM. III. Webb, F. M. Greenway,
u. NJ. Whitlock +. Cheeseborough,
Ralph Clark, Edward Z. Heyer,
r. ii. DIcCurdy, Abm. Van Nest,
Geo. d. ii. Gillespie, Michael McGraph.
ron SECRETARIES.
Robert C. Wetmore, Robert y. NIillken,
VIM. Barton, Thomas Fenner
Frederick X. Belts, Alfred Large,
Thos. c. L. Buckley, VIM. r. Dean.
Mr. woop said that the difficulties under which
the nation now labored, and which led TO ths agta-
ton, had their origin about sixteen years ago. The
doctrines then fret advanced that slavery was
OF itself unjust, and ought TO be put down. without
any regard to the consequences which might ensue,
or 10 the results thereof upon the prosperity and
happiness OF our sister States AT the South, where
that institution prevails. THIS agitation has now
grown into most aggravated and serious difficult
", which may terminate in the dissolution of the
Union, and cKtiuguish forever that bright exam
pie which We, as people, have hitherto set TO all
The nations Of the world, and under which we have
enjoyed much prosperity and happiness. The
institution 81 slavery hrst introduced here whan
VIC were in state Of pupilage and II may require
a long period TO elapse ere its abolition can take
place with safety. We find that slavery has exist
bsr~.nuiup the world. nd that IL has
been endured IN all ages TO the advantage Of the
citizens in the carly existence Of nations, has aid
ed in their advancement TO prosperity, and with.
out doubt contributed TO the promotion oil national
industry We find, also, that if it has been attend
ed with evils in this country, they have been al
lowed TO take their course, and have chosen to take
their own time for their extinction. Fifteen years
ago the doctrines were fret promulgated that
slavery was a sin, 10 be abolished all at once.
That is true doctrine, neither was 1t the doc
trinc Of our revolutionary fathers loud cheers
and. cries Of Mol The idea that II was Gin
like murder or robbery, and ought to be rooted
out and punished, never entered the heads OF our
countrymen who led us on in the paths Of victory
and freedom. j. was the Abolitionists who said It
ought TO be abolished sinful and this. too, with
out regard 10 the consequences which might ensue.
Now, must consider whether Il will be most con
ducive to the happiness OF mankind 70 abolish II all
at once or 70 devise means for its gradual cSGEc-
tion The idea that IL is sinful in itself 10 repug
nant 10 the best feelings Il large proportion Of
our people. [Cheers We know that IL is useful,
and we know also that it must be work Of time 10
abOlsh IL, and every country wherein II exists
must be the Judge Of that iiIne when il shall be
pcdient 10 do away with lt. VIC say, then, the
southern States must be allowed 10 Judge Icheersl
Of the proper time for its removal from among
them The idea that IL IL useful, we say il preya-
lent, and although there men who differ from
us yet their opinion. not 30 be allowed 70 pre-
vail over those Of the majority II mankind. ii q
man was to contend that the reputation which
Homer, Virgil, or Demostbcnes had acquired was
undeservcd, VIC should tell him that the general
sentiment Of mankind had allowed them thatrepu-
tation, and that he could not set up hs individual
opinion in contradisjnctiOn 70 the opinion Of the
world at large. Apply this to the doctrineof sla-
very. The general sentiment OF mankind u in it-
favor and the only question -, will its sudden
abolition promote the happiness Of those ooun
tries in which il i existing. Our revolutionary
fathers took this view Of the subject, and that
they were right we may be convinced by seeing
what has been the effect Of the sudden abolition OF
flavcry ia the British West India Islands, and we
may then consider whether or not IL might be at
tended with the prostration Of trade and com
ncrce in tc southern States We have seen in The
British colonies. There be little doubt bot II
would, II were 10 adopt the doctrine OF the AbO-
htOnists, and cay that slavery sin, 10 be abo
iished at all hazards, thereby exposing our fellow
citizens the South 10 all the consequences which
must ensue If the doctrines which prevail ferries Of
no, mol with them, which advocated in the
midst Of our community by asmall majority, To
be carried into practice. lChecrs.l We are aware
Of the extent to which these doctrines have
kept up in portion Of this and Of the eastern
States and Of the necessity Of taking some inca
furos for the purpose Of putting it down. il va
commenced by flooding the national legislature
with petitions Tor the abolition Of slavery in ths
District Of Columbia. This abuse Of th'
right of petition, much as If wight was e
persist 10 thrusing case before the courts which
had been decided against him BY this and other
means the agitstors have succeeded in alternating
the North from the South, and the South from the
North, and IT became necessary at the last session
Of the national legislature 20 make attempt 70
put Il down, and after weeks and months-threat-
ching violent disuniOn--tncasurca were passed by
Congress which, 1t was londly hoped, would for.
ever put an end to this unfortunate subject The
object Of calling this meeting is to obtain an ap
prevail Of those measures and disapproyal of that
agitation
Ifthis agitation cannot be oxtipguished, it will
lead to a dissolution Of the Onion, 70 the dcstruc.
ton Of all our hopes, and 10 the shutting out from
the world the example OF our republic. which ha,
hitherto promoted the general happiness Of man
kind. tHcar, hear aud checrs.J Having nov
said all that IL proper taking the chair, have
only 10 add that you will be addressed by otbel
gentlemen on those topics which involve matters o
euch vast importance and intense interest tn,
dissOlution of the Union; and must say that W,
must ali Use above the pillows Of party, ar out
forcfaibers did, the days fthc Revolution, vher