The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-01

mere rapidly Our railroads, steamboats,, and
the vast increase of intercommunication De-
tween our free and slave States, cannot IAN 70
carry knowledge and intelligence to the whole
coored population, North and South. with
them there must be hostility and hatred To-
wards their oppressors, whether they be slave
holders or the allies of slavery. 1t is law OF
the human mind All honest men must unite
in the acknowledgment of their rights lt Is
our duty to carry intelligence to every beng
who bears the image of our Creator. Thou
sands of agencies are at work, bearing INFORM
alton to the oppressed and down-trOdden OF our
land.
By an inscrutable law which peryades the
moral world, our very efforts to sustain sla-
very are converted into the means of its over
throw. The slave trade in this District Is up
held for the purpose of sustaining slavery In
our Southern States But where is the reflect
ing man. who does not see that every slave sold
from this city carries with him intelligence of
his rights, and becomes missionary OF free
dom when transferred South! Why, sir in
that mournful procession of fifty-two victims of
this Infamous commerce, taken from this city
in lS4S, was an individual of unusual intellect.
His name was EdmonsOn He called on me at
different times to aid him in raising money to
redeem his sisters They were, however sold
and subsequently repurchased by some beneyo-
lent people at the East, and are now free |
am told that his whole family were endowed
with mtelects of the highest order. He was
himself 80 far as propriety of language, gen.
tlemanly department, and intelligence, are con-
cerned, not the inferior Of gentlemen here, or
of the President of the United States. But he
was victim to this slave trade: and unless he
now sleeps in a servile grave, he is preparing
the minds of Southern slaves for that work
which lies before them; work which, if not
accomplished by the voice of truth and justice
will be perfected in blood That too is the
case with every fugitive slave who is returned
to bondage. The whole Northern slave popu-
lation are becoming intelligent. They read
or hear read. the discussions of our Northern
press. They learn what is said in this Hall
The remarks am now making will reach the
ears of many thousands who are borne down
by oppression. To them | say, Al men are
created equal - "you are sadowed by your Gre
ator NTH an inahenable right to liberty ;" and
| add the words of one Of Virginia's noblest
sons, GIVE NE LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH"
MIR. Chairman, the day of redemption for
this people must come. No human power can
prevent it. All reason, philosophy, and his
tory, demonstrate the approach of that day.
Look at the British West Indies There the
Africans for centuries labored under the
scourge; they clanked their chains they toiled
and wept under the hand of oppression. But
they increased in numbers, as do the slaves of
our Southern States Their oppressors became
eneryated by Incidence and luxury while the
slaves increased in numbers, in knowledge and
in power, precisely as do the slaves of this
| IopI e
| They became an expense TO their Government
as do ours That expense increased, as ours
does, until the Government had no other course
than to purchase them and set them free The
same result is intended by those who now ad-
vocate the Compromise, which is nothing more
nor less than an attempt to throw the burden
of sustaining slavery upon this Federal Coy
eminent. As was well remarked by the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts, Mr. RANToUL,l it
is Federal measure, centralizing measure,
calculated to concentrate power in this Gov
eminent, and to destroy the influence of the
States. The plan has often been limited,
and this day it is more than limited in the
leading organ of the Administration of this
city. This grand scheme will subject the ma
ton to debt of 81 200, 900 OOO-a debt one
third greater than that of England-a debt
that to an indefinite period will weigh down
the laboring men of this nation, cripple our
energies, and bring upon us the oppression
the suffering which now render the English
peasantry the subjects of pity throughout the
civilized world. The Compromise is but the
incipient step to this final contamination. If
we are now willing to subject the funds of the
nation to sustain this institution if we silently
submit to this Compromise | assert, without
hesitation, that proposition to relieve our
selves from this burden, by the purchase of the
slaves of the nation will be made within the
next five years. therefore say to the labor
ing men of the North, of all parties, your con-
stitutional rights, your liberties, are in danger
To pay 81 200, 900, 600 would, however, be far
less degrading to the Northern character than
this fugitive law.
| Sir, gentlemen here strive to get up old party
issues Who does not know that those issues
| have become obsolete that they cannot be
| galvanized into life p! Who now contends for
National Bank Who opposes the sub-treas-
ury These issues have been surrendered by
the Wings The Democratic party no longer
contends against harbor and river improve
ments. There will be no more proceeds Of the
public lands to divide among the States There
is no longer any issue of principle in regard to
the tariff The Wings ask no more, than that
the revenue to sustain Government shall be
raised by a tariff of duties, so adjusted as best
to promote the interests of our own labor. To
this the whole Democratic party of the North
assent There is no longer any party who
goes for free trade--for supporting Government
by direct taxation. would myself be willing
to try this method, as it would soon abolish
the slavery of the South; but no political par
ty is in favor of that system all agree upon
the principles of tariff but differ as to the
amount which shall be assessed on various ar
ticles.
Why, sir, for three years the parties have
been unable to arrange themselves upon any
issue, whether it be the tariff, or any other
of the old questions which divided Wings and
Democrats Nor can those issues ever again
become interesting. They have become obso.
lete by force of circumstances. While these
issues have been fading away the great and
overshadowing questions OF humanity have
been increasing strengthening, and extending
throughout the nation. 1t has entered into all
our moral and political questions. 1t is dis.
cussed in our social circles our political con-
yentions, and our pulpits. 1t controls our
county and State elections, our elections OF
members of Congress. and our Presidential
elections. 1t occupies the attention of our State
Legislatures and of Congress. Europe sym
pathizes with us in this great work. The ques-
ton of mans right to his life and liberty
now occupies the attention of the civilized
world. 1t has thrown Europe into commotion
Her people, her statesmen, are discussing it
1t has taken an undying grasp upon the con
science the judgment of this people. The agi
tation will go on until this Government shall
be redeemed and rcgencrated from oppression
until the stain of slavery shall be wiped from
our national escutcheon.
Let me assure gentlemen that noble band
of patriots, of philanthropists, are now laborinl
to bring about this " contamination 81 devoutly
| To be wished Upon the broad basis of truth