Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-06
Anti-SlaverY Agitation.

The following remarks, from the New
York Journal Of Commerce, are worthy the
attention of our readcrs:-
elf auti-slavery agitation has effected
nothing in favor OF the colureG man, bond or
free, it has been as barren OF good TO the
white man, North and South. Al the North
it has undoubtedly drawn into its vortex
many well meaning and conscien iious men.
Some religious teachers discovered IL TO be
their duty preach a crusade against the
South. The mind of considerable portion
of the religious public became infected with
a new and unwontet horror of slavery, and
the responsibility II every body, the Govern
menI included, ir. the existence OF the evil.
These yocs people will probably recover
their seuses at some period not remote, and
become recouciled 10 the continuance OF the
Union. But there will doubtless be many,
who will always entertain feelings of hosIil-
ity towards The South, excited by the recent
agitation. This feeling will continue to ex
ISL and be always liable to he called into &C.
tivity whenever the demon of discord and
sectional strife shall be hereafter involved.
Anti-slayery agitation, and its inf uence
upon our Southern brethren, has been most
teplorabe. 1t was in vain that sound press
es and sound statesmen al the North pro-
claimed their devotion the Constitution
and its Compromises. The South saw the
torrent of fanatacsm, and could not believe
that il would be arrested. For the first time
IN many years, they became compactly unit
ed, in a determination 10 resist The imposi
ton of the Wllmot Proviso. Surprised by
their own unexpected unanimity, some of
the most sanguine of their statesmen imme>
dIalely saw that it was II favorable opporlu-
nifty for the foundation OF Southern Con-
tederacy. Anti-slavery agitation has made
thus subject OF familiar contemplation 10
the Southern mind--whIch may in time,
cherished by artlul demagogues, lead 10 dis
astrous consequences. We much fear that
HE feeling of hostility towards the North,
which prevails al the South is stronger than
is warranted by any existing Northern an
tipathies. The ribald slanderers OF Southern
institutions who reside at the North, are per-
sons of little influence, and deserve 10 have
none. But at the South, gentlemen of edu-
cation, refinement and liberality,-Outraged
and insuI,ed 10y the course of leading North
ern demagogues, are in numerous cases in
dnced to believe that the only safety of the
South is in an eventual separation. Agita-
tation at the North is attended with no dan
ger to the persons or f;mlies of the agltalors
but in the belief of the South il threatens
the Southern Citizen and his family with the
worst dangers with which they can he men
aced. And for ,chat7 For that which The
Northern man has no immediate concern,
but which concerns the lives and homes aud
property, and sef-preservalion of the South.
When these are thought 10 be assa'led, there
is no extreme 10 which men will not proceed
in order to defend themselves. Hence, very
naturally, the feeling Of hostility 10 the North
which has recently sprung up at the South.
is much more fierce, intraclable and dan
gerous feeling, than that which al the North
IS pronounced by the fanatica antipaIhy
against the STAKEHOLDER. Ii will not brook
contempt, nor endure to be trihed with. 1t
will command respect, sooner or later, let
The cost be what il may. Undoubtedly dem
agogues at the South have taken advantage
OF these excited feelings 10 stimulate the
Southern mind to disunion and secession
II anti-slavery agitation had not menaced The
South, these demagogues would have re-
ceived no encouragement, and would never
have appeared. Constitutions cannot create
ties which will bind together those who ieel
repealed from each other by hatred and in
Jury"