The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13
NO. $50.
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI, May 5, 1852.

call appeared in your paper some time since,
begun its sessions on Tuesday the 9th OF April,
and closed on the evening of the 29th. The
Hall in which it met, the most central and COM
modious in the city, was nearly filled through
the day and crowded at the night sessions; the
last night large numbers some think a thou
sand persons) went away unable to gain ad-
mission. Last year the Convention met in the
western part of the city, in rather out-ot-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 have
attended its meetings occasionally and some
stately. who have never before been accustom-
ed to take any interest in such discussions; ana
the daily papers have given reports OF the pro-
ceedings, and given their readers long editorials
suggested by them. All this you are aware
shows very different state of things from that
existing dozen years ago, or even less, wneh
the very mention of an Anti-Slayery meeting
awoke whisperings and fears of mob. The
progress Of free discussion and a correct pubic
sentiment has been great since that period,
though the latter is not now what 1t ought 70
be.
The Rev. John G. Fee, of Kentucky, was Pres
ident of the Convention. Among the wee
Presidents were Hon. G. w. Julian and 3 T.
Stevens. Of Indiana Rev. c. Nevins, Cleveland
Ohio c. c. Byrleigh, Fred. Douglass, and H.
H Bib There were about $50 members Oh
whom perhaps one-half were from abroad
Tho, ranresented the various shades Of opinion
IN the hnti.Slavery ranks, but the resolutions
ra,ot;ng 10 the moral aud political aspects OF
tbe Slavery question, the Fugitive Law, the con-
t;nned agitation of the subject &c- were adopt
cd with great unanimity. As the proceedings
viii no doubt be sent to you officially, need
not give them i'm detail but content myself
NTH n remark or two upon the spirit OF the
Convention rs it struck my mind; with oil that
frankness and fidelity to my own convictions OF
nth with which writers for u Free Press are
accustomed to speak
The principal speakers were {. {. Burlelgh,
Hon, G. w. Julian, Fred. Douglass and MIR.
Bibb. Douglass may be said to have been the
~ ion y of the Occasion-the main attraction
of the meetings | heard him for the first time,
and give not my own impressions only, but
those of all with whom have conversed when
say that he fully equalled the expectations
we had formed of him. He is an able, ready,
and interesting speaker, highly intelligent, Of
ten eloquent and always listened to with deep
attention, and frequently greeted with hearty
applause. In speaking on the Fugitive Law.
he counselled not only positive disobedeDce to
its requirements, bot open resistance to this, as
well as to every law, an individual may esteem
unjust, by force of arms This position he de-
Tended with some warmth, and it was, in effect
sanctioned by one of the resolutions adopted
but it is one to which large number of the
truest Ant-Slavery men can by no means sub
scribe We are peace men in oil our principles
and feelings, and prefer to disObey quietly an
unjust law suffer its penalties if need be, and
use all our influence in every proper way to OBJ
tain its repeal This is the scriptural plan of
conduct the dictate of true wisdom, and of
course best calculated in the long run to sub
serve the interests of freedom
Mr. Burleigh spoke with his accustomed
force and Auency, but his voice, owing to bron-
chts is much impaired-so much SO at times
that it is painful to some to listen to him. He
has been for over dozen years a most labOri-
Gus and perseverng lecturer, having spoken in
public probably Oftener than any one besides
the country over, and has thus, by too much
use, injured his voice. Since the close OF the
Convention, he has lectured several times in the
Mechanics Institute Hall
With Mr.. Julian was highly gratifed. He
was a very dignifed, logical, and courteous
speaker With less of mere defamation, and
more of argument, his addresses carried more
weight and conviction with them than many
others made, to the minds of those not enlist
ed with us.
The doings of this Convention doubt not,
will on the whole result in good, as much truth
was uttered and the subject of Freedom do.
cussed, and thus kept before the public, which
OF itself is great thing. But it struck me, AZ
IT did Others of as true-hearted opponents OF
Slavery as any who sat in the Convention, thai
the general tone of the speakers was denunci
atory vehement declamatory, satirical, sarcas
tic. There was little argument and but feeble
array of facts or dispassionate appeal to the
better judgments of those outside of the circle
OF the Convention, calculated to influence them
to engage in our enterprise. The Christian
church, its professors who hold slaves, the po
ltical parties and all who remain in them
all, indeed, who do not feel it to be their duty
TO promote the cause in the straight and mar.
row way marked out in the resolutions adopt
ed were made the objects of constant and un-
firing denunciation and sarcasm, of ridicule
and reproach, in almost every speech. Were
it only the system of Slavery, or any of the
enormous evils inseparable from it, which were
thus attacked. we would not complain, though
this we would judge not the tgisea way of
seeking their removal. But the motives of many
who differ from us as to the mode of conduct
ing tins reform. but on every other point of
Christian benevolence, or in the spirit of their
lives are as irreproachable as any who partici-
Pated IN this Convention, were assailed without
lar discrimination, in utter defiance of every
rule OF Christian charity. would as willingly
hold an hundred slaves, as to be guilty Of the
Violations of tho sr,rt lo<t 81 <ha 10
oil the Gospel, as taught by our Saviour and his
apostles, exhibited by some of the speakers in
these meetings. The degree of criminality,
doubt not, in the sight of God, would in each
case not be essentially or perceptibly different
, aver my belief, that in a single speech of
horace MAINS, or in any number of the Ma
Hondi Era taken at random, | could find more
III argument, OF facts or Of candid appeals to
intelligent and thinking men upon this subject.
than IN the whole string of resolutions and
speeches brought out by this Convention from
beginning to end
John b. Cough has been ecturine here 10
immense audiences with his usual power and
force OF illustration. The interest and the de.
SIRE 10 hear HIM were as great as on his former
visit year since. As a popular speaker on
temperance he il unequallcd by any one who
mas visited us. At his farewell lecture last
week at Wesley Chapel, many of us as the
las. tones OF his rich voice fell upon our ears
rev mat we were parting with an old and init.
=, ',nce my last, We have had another rise in
,h he ohlo loot higher than the former. but
!he river is now rapidly receding The rains
IN hprll were much heavier than the a vero go
son 'a'n' month but at this period of the sea
s, ,n al FEARS OF an overflow on the main
mn,i VI the West may be dismissed at least
until next December. Yours D
FROM THE NORTHWEST