The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
For the National Era.
THE PROPOSED "LEAGUR OF FREEDOM"

The following thoughts have occurred to me
respecting proposition made by one OF your cor
respondents. see National Era for April l7th,)
under the head of " Politics and Policy" Ii you
think them worth place In your paper, let them
have Il. am among those who think the time
has come for such a movement as Is there indi-
Gated and II 80, these should first be free con-
ference as TO objects, ways, and means.
The league would consist of all those friends
of freedom who earnestly feel that slavery Is me
p,eat and pressing question before the public mind,
and who are prepared to meet II as nafionat qne''
tion. The largest variety OF Individual opinion
might and should be gathered on THIS psosd
platform. and the utmost liberty OF 1t allow
ed 40 that the best thought Of Kentucky and
virginia on the subject may be brought In coun-
oil with that from the North and East.
Q The main practical object would be to influence
the pubic mind through the press. To this end,
the establishment of the National Era at Wash
iprtop offers an invaluable facility. But besides
nevspaper discussion through this or other chan
nels thorough investigations Of the main prscti-
cal points at issue should be made BY competent
committees. and the results spread before the ma
ton in the form of Reports and Tracts; or per-
haps, still better, by the medium OF monthly
Journal All such publications should De the
standard authority 90 to the points in question
A nd the immense range OF open questions At the
present day, connected with this matter OF Slave
~, demands some such agency a. this, to present
them before the public mind rs they should be.
3 A moderate annual subscription from each
member with o proper system Of associated
leagues and agencies) would furnish the funds
needful for such an enterprise, and entitle each
member 10 receive q copy Of each authorized pub
LEGATION This would secure at once permanent
basis of action, and would thrust the most tho
rough and valuable discussions into the hands Of
those persons, IN every portion Of the country, u
whom and through whom they would be Of thu
greatest service. | am not acquainted with the
machinery Of the English Leagues, bat should
suppose their experience, and possibly their form
Of organization, would be Of great value as
guide.
4. 1t Is proposed that tho associate branches In
the several districts would hold stated meetings
and provide ell the needfu and usual agencies fol
placing the matter fairly before the public mind
The immense value Of thus Offering the calmset
broadest, and msturest views backed by the nigh
eat intelligence, IL what needs no dwelling on
For one conspicuous service, there 10 no estims
ting the amount Of loose, violent, deolamstory
statement which II would quietly supersede, nor
on the other hand, Of spathy aud nervous tremol
which II would reinvigorste
5. To guard against the abuse Of such concen
trated moral force ~ Is here supposed TO D.
brought In play, the principles 10 be embodied II
the constitution need to be carefully considered
beforehand BY the most competent men 20 ~
on the one hand TO rally the greatest amount o.
character and iutelligsncs, and on the other hand
70 guard against cIIqaishness, passion, asd sat
issuss The essential points were we'll stated 81
your correspondent; and II ID only nsedfui z
beer these 10 mInd, having regard also 70 the pup