The republic., 1851-08-08
Peace and Persuasion.

Peace and Persuasion.
The unrestrained range of discussion upon the
institution of slavery which has prevailed for
some years past is producing the results which
freedom of opinion will always do. 1t is con
vincng man that systems of civil or religious
polity peculiar to any people can alone be
corrected by moral suasion, and not by inter
vention or force.
The right of every people to pursue liberty
and happiness according TO the dictates OF their
own reason. is admitted But there is princi-
pie not less sacred: that no one people are re-
sponsbe for the political or moral institutions
of another. This principle is affirmed by the
Reformation, and impressed on every form OF
Protestant doctrine. Man being endowed with
an immortal soul, is alone responsible for It's
salvation. No human being can dictate to hun
4 method of faith, because no one else can be
punished for his errors. This may be com
pressed into the expression, that intervention
in the moral or political affairs of others, for
the purpose of correcting their errors Is contra
ry to that spirit of civil and religious free
dom upon which American and English llber-
ties alike depend.
The Crusade was undertaken in compliance
with the idea that Christendom was response
BILE for the sin of Mohammedism. The ambi
tion and intrigue which conducted; the disaster
cruelty, corruption, and national hatred that
followed this extravagant plan of propagandism,
proved cohclusively that men cannot be forced
to put off their own faith like garment to put
ON the faith Of another.
Thus the controversy which has lately ragged
upon the subject of slavery has been productive
of the most valuable effects. 1t has taught non
shareholders to abate the violence of their de-
nunciations for it has shown that no civilized
man can cast the first stone. 1t has been
shown that the manufactures, the commerce,
the industrial resources, and the accumulated
capital of the world, is all implicated with the
results of slave labor. A general system Of re-
stitution ought therefore to precede any general
condemnation of the institution. On the other
hand, the Shareholders have been taught their
dependence upon others for commercial facili-
ties and for manufactured articles.
The consequences which have threatened
ture as to present the grave question, whether
the liberation of the black race was to be pre-
ferred to the independence of the white? No
other form of government than ours could have
sustained such excitement. No government
where politics were regulated by the police could
have survived the controversy. Any other go
vernment would have restricted the free ex,
preston Of opinion, and thus have continued in
ignorance of the popular Indignation. The de-
liberate opinion resulting from this controversy
seems to be, that it must, if continued, result
in mutual mischief, and had therefore better
cease.
Even those who have been most active in
devising means for the extinction Of slavery
seem now convinced that denuncaton and
force may double the fetters of the slave, and
destroy the miserable privileges of the free
negro. And that if universal emancipation could
result, it would emerge, like some volcanic
island, from an ocean of blood and devastation.
Indeed the most enthusiastic advocates Of
agitation are beginning to doubt whether the
blessings which would result from their forci-
bic philanthropy would not be neutralized by
the miseries which would accompany It's sue
cess.
We have heretofore published the evidences
that in the United States the fever of contro
versy is subsidlng. Politicians who took VI
the slavery question a means Of promoting
party success have been convinced that it j
either question Of interest or question of con
science In either case men cannot be governe
by party interests, nor will they divide according
TO the lines Of party organization. Politician
have discovered that the flame Of civil dscOr
spreads rapidly under the influence of an opir
ion almost religious, and threatens to consum
life, liberty, and property in its progress. Sue
a fame, like the fre-storm of the prairie, mock
alike the efforts of those who kindle and thos
who are exposed to its fury.
We now add some proofs that in Englan
there is a corresponding change Of opinion, 7,
sulting from the experience Of the last few year
The Westminster ReUietc, about one ye;
since. presented It's views upon the question
slavery. 1t then admitted the failure of Il
effort 10 break up the slave trade by armt
cruisers on the coast of Africa. The mo
elaborate evidence taken before the House
Commons proved that the number Of slav
transported had increased, and that their con
forts had been diminished; that the mortall
was greater, and that the profits OF the slave
were beyond all precedent. The slave trade ~