The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-17
NO AgitatiOni

ioas nearly filled through The day and crooded at me
night sessions; the last night large numbrs (son.s
Hink thousand persons) tDsnt Gioay unable 10 gain
admission. Last year the convention met in
the western part OF the city, in rather out Of
the way room, and occurring at the time of the
Jenny Lind concerts and excitement, attracted
very little notice except from those interested
in the cause. This year the convention has been The
subject of general remark; many haze attended its
meetings occasionally, and stately, Dho have
before been accustomed 10 take any interest
such discussions; and the daily papers haze giren
ports of the proceedings and giptn their readers long
editorials suggested by them. All this you are aware
shows very different state Of things from that ex
listing dozen years ago, or even less, when the
very mention of an ti-slavery meeting awoke
whisperngs and fears of q mob. The progress Of
free discussion and correct public sentiment hac
been great since that PERIOD though the latter lie
not now what il ought to be-"
Black and white orators amalgamated, and alter.
mated In this convention. Fred Douglas was, il lie
said. heard with more pleasure than another
orator. the Hon Mr. Julian, an ex member of Con
gress from Indiana
EASTERN AGITATION.
From the National Era
"DRArToN AND SAYREs.-The Boston Liberdtor,
in an article commenting with some severity upon
Mr.. Summers silence on the slavery question,
says:
'"Ih January last, petition for the release Of
Drayton and Sayres from their dreadful imprison-
ment in Washington, signed by nearly three
hundred persons, was forwarded to Mr.. Sumner
to be laid before the Senate; but he has not yet
thought proper to comply with the wishes OF the
petitioners, to give them any reason for not d.
ing 80. We know that they feel not less ag-
grevcd than surprised at his course
owe happen to know that it was from no disrc-
spec. to the petitioners, and no unworthy personal
motive, that Mr.. Sumner did not present the petit
ton. On consultation with several of the anti
slavery members of Congress, and with persons
specially interested in thecase of the unfortunate
prisoners. the opinion was unanimous that any agi-
fati0n Of the subject IN Congress AT PRESENT mould
affect r9y unfapordbiy OTHER AND MORE PROMISING
MOVEMENTS IN THE CASE.
"Wil our friends throughout the country
ccpt from US the assurance that all that be
done for the unfortunate men is now being done in
Washington; and, should all this fail, we will ap
prize them OF the fact
at is to be regretted that Mr.. Sumner did not
take measures to inform the petitioners Of the dis
position Of their memorial; but VIC submit, in oil
candor. that, knowing the Senator'S sincerity OF
character and devotion to the best interests Of his
race, this neglect or inadvertence cannot Justify
any questioning OF his integrity"
To agitate just for the release of Drayton
and Sayres, incarcerated here for high crimes
against the peace and ORDER well as progress Of
society, would affect very unfavoraby other and
more promising movements. What they all
we'll know-hiichng the Wing party to the jug
gcrnaut of Abolition and Anti slavery.
The Massac husetts Senate, we may add here,
abolition Democracy have passed bill virtually
multiplying the Fugitive Slave law, which has been
defeated (by National Whigs) by only eleven ma
jorty in tho House of Representatives, body
composed Of several hundred persons, l believe
Here is about the oldcst State Of the Union on the
very verge of multiplying both the Federal Const-
tn ton and solemn act Of Congress.
CENTRAL AGITATION
Prom the Report Of the Proceedings Of the Anii- SID
pry Society held IA NeD York the past ,oeek.
"UscLE Tos's CABIs.-Dr. McCUNE SMITH,
(ncgro,) then moved the following resolutions:
"' Res0ired, That the warm thanks OF this meet
ing be presented to Mrs. Harriet Bcccher Stowe,
for writing the inimtably beautiful and truthful
story called Uncle Toms Cabin; and that we re-
oice that tho Almighty il awakening the finest lit
crary talent of the country to lay their best offer
ings on the altar OF human freedom; and
40 Resoued That we earnestly call upon the
women of the United States earnestly and zeal
ousy 10 follow in the glorious path laid out for
them by Harriet Beecher Stowe, q race q reenwood.
and Lydia NJ. Child
''Dr. SMITH culogised Uncle Toms Cabin
and said lite success-unexampled as il wae-proved
the depth and the breadth Of the anti slavery feel
ing in this country. The writer had touched a
VEN richer than California gold, and would be
followed by host Of Grub street imitators II
there was IN the country il was in the re-
lations between masters and slaves, and in the
mixed relations growing out of them He then
proceeded at somo length 10 critcise the critic cf
the Literary World, who had turned this beautiful
story into ridicule, while he pulled eworld OF fc.
ton, on the other side, without merit invention
"Mr. LxwIs TArPAS said Mr.. Jewett had sold a
thousand copies of the work every day since it
was published, or $4,000 copies in eight weeks-a
salc that unparalleled in the whole world
Look at the humble origin Of this book. DIR. Bailey
one day at my house said, think will get Mrs.
Stowe TO write n story for my paper (for DR..
Ia IN ais
pills into preserves for their children lie wrote
her n note, and enclnsed her a 500 bill. She
sent him No: OF Uncle Tom for the National
Brd, and said she would finish Il in three numbers.
She astonshed herself nj the way il looked in
print. Ia month or two he cent her $500 more;
and 20 went the tale till che completed the work
Mrs. Stowe is in Brooklyn, and was here
yesterday. She told me that, when tho Fugitive
Slave law came out, her pillow was wet every
night with her tears, and If any book was ever
written from the effect Of prayer il was that book
introduced her last night TO Uncle Toms grand
She 10 going 10 write more, and others are
going 90 rival her. A distinguished gentleman in
Massachusetts lie writing tale tho Fugitive
Slave law.
"Dr. McCusE smTH.-It is suggested bya gen.
tlcmnn here that il is Daniel Webster. [Grcat
laughter.
"Mr TAPPAN.-Ladies can do much good by
writing. For instance, the book OF Mrs Nichol-
son, ON Ireland, was very valuable. The Irish
were not bl.cls, but they had wrongs. | observe
tue Iady IN IN TIE room, ana congratulate her on
this work. Then there 10 the work Of Mrs. Child,
in the very title Of which there s gcnius-'An
Appeal in behalf Of Americans called Africans
President Day, Of Yale College,, man Of eighty
years of age, boosted that he had read novel;
yet he caught with Uncle Tom II 10 not n
fiction, but n narrative OF facts in tho form Of
fiction. A lawyer told me that the cscnpo Of Eliza
over the Ohio river too oxtravagant 10 be true
mir. CoOE.-h s true. I know the man that
helped her over the river.
"Mr. TAPrAS. a lawyer--one fthc most dstin
gushcd members Of the Union Safety Committee
told me that hc verify believed that book had bro
ken down their cause lGreat laughter Already
IN edition IL icing brought out in Canada, aud
have no doubt that II will soon DO i'm half n dozen
Of the languages Of Europe. Now il tho time 90 20
out with your agencies. after The reed Ia sown by
THE book
CDR THOMAS BrrTTR moved that the following
he added to the resolution: That the publisher be
requested 90 publ sh cheap edition for the people,
at 81 Dcnis' II he docs, will orpcnd S25 for
copies TO this tribute. gentleman told me that
he would epoud several hundred dollars in the
purchase u copies Of cheap edition. TO send to the
students of college.
"Mr. TsPPAr,lt is rather too much Of n rood
thing TO expect the publisher TO do THE, when nc is
selling thousand copies per day at 4 %. Three
paper mills cannot supply the paper fact enough.
I I'm Ca eav that tp puhltc h,.rd