The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-23
Error csaslng to be Dangerous.


No sentiment more replete with wisdom has
been uttered than the declaration of JEFFERSON,
that ''error ceases TO be dangerous when reason
is left free to combat it,"
The necessity of this maxim has been shown
by the failure of every government to correct
an error of opinion by the exercise of power.
its truth is proven by the decline of abo-
htion, and the returning wisdom of those who
relied upon disunion as the only resource from
threatened oppression. This decline is visibly
imprinted upon the late letter of Mr.. CHARLES
f. ADAMS and in the advice of Mr.. VAN b.
rem TO the Common Council of Tammany.
1t is also visible in the following extract
from the Tribune
'We look in vain for the probability of repeal
Or modification of the Fugitive Slave law. That
law, suppose is destined to remain the stat
ute book We could wish it otherwise. We
could wish to have it modified in many partcu-
lars. especially by the introduction of jury trial
among its provisions But there is not the least
indication that such change will be made. The
next Congress will not make it.. There is no.
where great party demanding it. Public senti-
ment regardsitwith comparatveindifference There
Ia no such overwhelming popular movement in ia
vor of repeating or changing this law there
at the North in lS4S and 40 agains the extension
of slavery. How, then, can the law be touched :"
The exhortation TO perseverance" and spa
thence, with the advice TO postpone the Federal
disputes which divide the Democratic party
show that there is no immediate prospect of
carrying the abolition purposes So these in
cendlaries, like their forty forerunners in the
Arabian tale, are admonished to keep quiet
within their jars until the prospects Of mis-
chief are brighter than at present. Let us ex-
anime the results of free discussion upon the
opinion of the Northern States.
The merchants of the North perceive that
the abolition Of slavery involves the loss of an
internal trade, essential to their prosperity
The ship-owners of the North are satisfied
that the coastwise and foreign freights of the
aple-growing States are essential to sustain
their competition with the marine of the world
The manufacturers of the North have become
convinced that the home market of the slave
holding States is invaluable, and that the pro-
lection of American industry is dependent upon
the restoration of American harmony.
The industrial classes of the North, who
rely upon their labor for the respectable sup
port of their families, have been taught by dis
cussion that Abolition means the immigration
of three millions of recently liberated slaves,
to strive with the Industrial classes of the
North for employment and support. They see
that self defence would compel the slave States
TO drive out the liberated negro, OF to deal with
him as public enemy. They see that the
States Of Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana-States
cotermnous to slavery-like housekeepers pro-
vident of coming storm, are closing their
doors against this unhappy race. The indus
trial classes of the North foresee the immigra-
ton amongst themselves Of horde of wretches
untaught and unrestrained, sufficient to blight
the prosperity and check the progress of every
community into which they may come--to
bring into competition with virtuous industry
the degraded wages of necessity and vice.
The moralist and economist of the North sees
i'll the abolition of slavery the inevitable de-
struction Of the Union, and if after that appall-
ing consequence has been established, any sub
ordinate consequence could be considered, they
are satisfied that all the pauperism and crime
resulting from such an accession TO their pres
ent free negro population will result in an i'm
mense tax upon the property and industrial
interests of the North. The result of the com
bat between reason and error has been to con
vince the North that this question is fraught
with injury to American interests, with danger
10 American Institutions, and that any further
agitation is alike wrong and Improbable.