The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-31


circumstances in relation TO other papers and my
travelling habit, with my circumscribed means,
prevents this | frequently see IL, and read IL
with interest, and commend IL 10 the patronage
Of all as the best political paper Of the land.
Your firm, candid method Of maintaining the
truth on the subject Of slavery, free from that
vituperous spirit that characterizes too many Of
your contemporaries, commands my appreciation.
| wish 10 suggest some Of my thoughts relating
TO the origin, progress, and present state Of the
Anti-Slavery cause among us
thought Mr.. Garrison's first efforts TO arouse
public sentiment on the subject Of slavery were
sound in principle, aud commanded the assent OF
the disinterested, intelligent portion Of the ma
ton, but spprehended bis assault Of shareholders
was indiscreetly violent Humanity demanded
MIR Garrison's efforts. God bad given the man
the powers suited TO the age and the moral ne
cesities of the nation In which he lived but his
onset was too rude TO convince the erring. A
more peaceful attitude, without abating the power
of argument, would have assaulted the conscience
without raising the ire of yindiotive passions
But IL Mr. G. had met with immediate success
the glory would in all probability have been
awarded TO him, instead Of God his clear views
Of truth, inspired a selEcon6dence that defeated
the object. The subject OF slavery, when pre-
sented TO q generous, intelligent mind, will al
ways produce shock Of horror and when such
a mind Is moved TO redress the grievance, IL can
scarcely be anything but enthusiastic bot when
we seek the death Of stesltby enemy, we ap-
proach him cautiously, and use our best device TO
avoid the danger and secure the foe.
Mr. Garrison, with his party, passed off into
contemplate minority, when he made as an In.
dispensable condition Of adherence to It. his thesis
Of no Government, and the equality Of women
with men. Shareholders were glad TO use this
error, to give 10 the Anti.Slavery enterprise the
phase Of fanatcism Many men Of superior
ability and deserved notoriety fell of from the
American Anti.Slavery Society, and sustained the
cause on a more popular basis; aud after advsuc-
ing considerably by moral suasion, they assumed
q political party position but some Of the most
prominent leaders Of the party adopted opinions
that were generally regarded as ultra, being such
as had not before been advanced and these were
80 stringently enforced that all who acted with
the party were required 10 endorse them. This
measure threw the second Anti.Siavery party
into decline, notwithstanding the intelligence In
tegrity, and benexolence OF its snstainers But
God, In his mysterious providence, has not aban-
doned the cause Of human rights He has al.
lowed the great political parties which have d.
vided the nation for many years 10 fall into dis
traction on this subject, and the present aspect
promises more success from the combination OF
the disafected elements Of these parties, than
from the efforts OF those who originated the Anti
Slavery movement At present, however, there
seems 10 be difficulty In blending these ele-
ments, as q section Of each party is claiming 10
stand with their party and be en- exponent Of Ito
principles. The Garrison men and Smith men
win neither Of them unite with these disafected
Wings and Democrats, TO promote simply the
original object OF their association their combi-
nation would promise success We would think,
nationally, this might be Effected but ut present,
the hope Is a forlorn hope We would expect as
soon that the Northern portions Of the great
parties would become sbolitlOnlred, and together