The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
"THE DUTY OF ANTI.SLAVERY VOTERS
CONTINUED PROM LAST WEEK.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
In the lower House, nearly dozen men of ex.
tfaordinary abilities and zeal represent the anti
slavery sentiment, and, in fact, permit no oppor
tunity for its defence and advocacy to pass unim-
proved. In the earlier days of the controversy.
Adams and Giddings took the position and press
ed the doctrines 81 he movement with all the eff
feet that mind ofMe highest force and range, and
heart of the irmest quality, could insure. They
had the nation for their audience, and nothing
was wanting in the champions, the cause or its
conditions, to agitate people thoroughly. From
that day to this the assault has not sackened FIRE
or altered its aim and Hale in the Senate has
for years now been active, capable and efficient
as the warmest friend could wish. bslieve that
every man sent to Congress expressly on this er-
rand has done his whole duty. The men Of other
parties have disappointed our reasonable expecta-
lions and broken their express pledges; but our
own representatives in no instance. The last
seven years has brought up the subject in every
form, and we have had our champions present in
every variety of quality and adaptation, to give
it the most ample and thorough development. For
all the purposes of agitation and propagandsm,
sAe Congressional controversy has been full to
complete satisfaction.
And now the question rises up, Have we any.
thing more to hope from this agency? Or, is it
30 promising that we should address all our ener.
gies to its continuance and extension 2
My own opinion is, that an abolition speech in
Congress has no longer any special or consider.
able power to arouse or convince any more than
II it hsd equal publicity through our other means
Of publication and think that the inefticacy Of
such speeches to the legitimate ends Of legisls.
ton is now felt as fault, at the same time that
they afford no compensation in the conviction and
Of the public. There is such thing
as the interest and excitement of q debate sur.
viving its utility.
From another ground | draw the same cOnclu.
sion. Agitation was once the best servise that
could be rendered to the cause of liberty, and
Congress Hall the best place for It, The North
understood it 80, and desired it the South under
stood ii So and feared it. Silence, absolute, was
The demand in 1897, and the Shareholders at that
lime used every means, most unscrupulously, to
enforce it. But how is ii now7 The discussions
Of slavery have been almost uninterrupted through
the period Of the last Congress, and they were
led of in almost every instance by the prO-sh-
very leadersi Whatever this change means in
othsf respects, il is significant one touching the
policy Of agitation and debate in the Capitol for
outdoor purposes. And the effect Of the long
upon the respective Houses No sbO-
Zionist looks without amazement at the reports
He finds none Of the effects upon the opposition
members which he expected, from the faithful sI
libitiou Of the truth, when, some years ago, he
sbored so hard merely TO get 1t hearing. Lib
'rty and Slavery have had hand-to-hsnd strug
lie in the freest field Of combat in the world;
europe has all the while been shaken with revo-
utions and America has been even estrsvsgant
n it's sympathies; the issues involved were OF
he most urgent practical importance; the senti-
nent and the interests were in their fullest &C
ivity yet the champions Of the wrong had not
'een overwhelmed; they have not been made 70
onfess II and they are even supported In ihsH
lefant attitude by frequent and fragrant apO"%
ies from principle in the ranks Of allies which
he friends Of Liberty relied upon With the great
st assurance In all these years Legislation has
answered to the demands Of the enc
ny; the victory rests with the spirit OF sggTes
ion, and success Is, as usual, working out It's own
Justification, and changing itself into glory ID"
asses almost unchallengedi
So soon as the Geld Of debate was fairly openeu
nd freed, the friends Of the right brought tne
bstract principles Of truth and Righteousness 70
ear upon the opposition and behold TINS o''
hey are openly rspudiated. Seven years asO
hese principles asked only 9 hearing to-day
hey are seeking for shelter and defence oou.
cience and the Higher Law have The rspu'a"SH
4 q psstilence- -Compromise sss 1a''' arc '"'
My patriotism and orthodoxy
A political party with sssi'tfe+sss Fss ''' .
iuuivs or principal, o. essss~a zee. GO no O0un
.r.n.. From any Of tAs~e escssssss'ssas
Nj. form and array Ass already saesred 'n'
sfsst Of ito aims Ia the rsssu q The Govern
aeut and couatry, =.
To those TO Who's his srgrnsss Is conclusive
r unnecessary. n NAY sesa siss tedious ou.
ave other sses Nr the Investigates than '
,eari.g ,pss this particular rrSfssi'iOa' and
,roossd with II with this visw.
Deussxis Slavery ss the South SURPRISES e''
xAer evil In the minds Of the Asolision's's y
he North but Il 10 not 90 felt among the peoP'
no NUS BE- relied upon for political ePPos''s
. IL A. analysis Of the clAssss Of voters IN
forth, with their party afhnitiss, would DC
sluabie achievement Bat our Parpo'<
sasds oaly an impsrsset classification ''A