The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-02

without regard 10 consequences This, PROFESSIONALLY
was doctrine. Il was Tepugnant to the patriots Of
this country, 10 the fathers Of the revolution They look
ed upon slavery evil. but thought should look
to the consequences before undertook abolish it,
The idea that sinful in itself ike murder or rob-
berry, and that ought at once to be abolished without
regard 10 never entered the heads OF those
patriots who led this country originally TO Independence
and freedom. This notion, however as before remarked
took ground some fifteen years ago. and then abolition
isis declared that was the duty OF this country, under all
circumstances and without regard consequences. sud
denly to abolish IT, looking only at the question OF sla-
very Itself as sinful and as an institution which ought
not 10 be allowed TO exist Now we consider this doc
tne erroneous. We consider that where this institu
ton exists must look at consequences and that Il will
moi do to abolish and destroy il without taking into con-
sideTaon the consequences that would result, and the
consideration whether IL would promote the happiness oil
mankind to abolish il or 10 suffer i 10 continue Zap.
p,auss Inc idea that SLAVERY Yer Is 70 ss, sn,u rs an.
kind because we all know that in the earlier stages OF
ciey slavery has been instrumental in introducing nst
after period of time the progress OF society will require
that il should be abolished II WILL however, need time
do and II must be left to every country in which it
which il shall be abolished. In the southern States
where PREVAILS they ought to be allowed TO judge for
themselves, and we ought not TO interfere with them
[Great applause This idea. that conscience dictates
that slavery is in itself sinful is, we think entirely
unfounded We may say OF conscience in regard 10 this
subject as we may say OF the test OF beauty or OF any
thing else. that when find the general sentiment OF
mankind 10 accord certain subject, ought TO es-
TEEN il 10 be correct celebrated critic remarks that
II any one should take il into his head that Horace,
or Virgil, or Demosthenes any OF the other great
authors, were not entitled to the reputation which
they have received, that individual ought to reflect
nounced in favor Of those authors; and, instead Of
being dogmacal the subject, he ought to take pains
to make himself familiar with those authors. and
by the time he had done so he would approve OF the
common opinion Of mankind Now we may apply this
to the question of slavery When find that slavery
has existed in all ages and in all countres--wben we
81 Z. 49,. L.n. AZ
ton OF manwhen individual takes il into his head to
pronounce sinful, ought TO take the general sent
ment Of mankind TO prove the error into which he has
fallen And the only question is whether the institution
and the state of society in which exists calculated
promote its general interests That the true view Of
the subject This was the view taken OF by the patriots
of the revolution They were all opposed 10 slavery in
the abstract but they found it existing in this country,
and they too we'll acquainted with human affairs to
think that could Be At once b h and e
in the emancipation of the negroes in the British West
India colonies. Cheers and applause What has
Color has bshsd then prospe AND
them and may venture the assertion, that il were
TO allow the sudden abolition Of slavery IN the southern
States would be attended with the prosraon Of indus
try as it in the West Indies and should be in
much worse condition than they are for when we look
at the character OF our country and OF our institutions,
free and libera-when reflect that when slavery is
abolished the slaves must be put equality with
the whites, Ivoce-never j and az we can't have a
standing army, as exists in Great Britain, the conse-
-
States; and the most destructive OF wars-a civil
war-would be the necessary result. Now, we
to shut our eyes and ears to such consequences,
and to entertain the idea that slavery is in itself
sinful, like robbery or any other crime, and that it
must be abolished without regard to consequences
Are we to subject the southern States. and our south
fellow citizens, and their wives and children, to
such consequences as they apprehend, and have
every to believe would ensue il undertook TO
carry into effect such an absurd doctrine. which am
sorry to say prevails among large portion of the
muniiy tCries OF No, no, no from all parts OF the
housed | have said the object OF this meeting is TO
put down agitation the subject OF slavery. We know
the extent TO which this agitation has been carried within
the last fifteen years and more The very moment the
idea adopted that slavery in itself sin. and
ought TO be al abolished without regard to
quences, asysem OF agitation was entered upon by po
on Of the people in the eastern States for the purpose OF
destroying il. They commenced by flooding Congress
with petitions praying for the abolition OF slavery in the
District of Columbia They were not content with find
ing those petitions set aside and rejected but they perse
vered in it, and Congress was, from day to day. inunda
ted with petitions OF the character This was,
quesonably abuse OF the right of petition. II am
allowed 10 speak subject with which am familiar,
Jour courts OF ustice say that every has right
present his petition in due form TO any court of justice
but when is passed upon and il he persists hour after
hour and day after day, 10 renewing IT, il would be
abuse of the right OF petition That was the with the
Union was thus flooded have referred TO that as
the commencement OF this agitation; and il not
intended that it should prevail On the contrary, the alb
oltoniss knew that could not but the object was 10
keep up the agitation; and through the agency OF dis
tnfushed statesman, deceased they succeeded in
carry ing this system until, certain extent, they
aenaed the mind OF the South from the North and the
North from the South and increased the number OF abo
litionsts 10 an indefinite extent. This the
mencement OF that system Of agitation which de-
ploe. IL has been growing ever since and at the last
session OF the national legislature attempt made
to put il down by passing number OF called peace
measures. We are all aware 10 what extent that agIta
ton carried in the halls OF Congress. We all
OF the conflict OF opinions, and OF the debates
red until finally the opposing parties seemed TO rest
by sort OF mutual consent and those were
finally passed. the hope that they would put an end
all agitation the subject But now, unfortunately,
after they passed, IL is attempted agate this sub
ect among certain portions Of peoples and the object
OF calling this meeting, which trust will be followed up
prevail Of those measures and dsapproval OF the
tempt TO continue this agitation, which appehend, if
allowed 10 continue, will end in the destruction OF this
Union and the destruction OF the hopes OF all republicans
in every part OF the word-in the destruction OF that
bright example VIII oh set in this country OF an estab
ished republic which calculated TO promote the gen.
eral happiness and prosperity OF mankind have now,
my friends. said all that was proper for me TO say this
occasion You will be addressed by number OF gentle
without any regard 10 party; for the great ques
ton of the preservation dissolution OF the Union we
applause j and revvng the old spirit OF TO- which knew
party but the country which headed by the great
man whose memory lives in the hearts OF us all, and
whose image presdes over (poning TO the likeness
Of Washington the sage,) trust shall be able
10 rise above party spirit, and look only TO the Union
and the interests which The Union involves
The venerable chairman then sat down amid great
cheers
MIR. Robert C. wemore then rose and said that he
II Il. = H. - a - u