The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-20
NO. 28l.
.RsTRAcT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN ANTl-SLAVERY
SOCIETY.

The C0mmlttee DeBin ny heIrasnB .hoh &c"
bors the past year, naming the publications
thew have issued, the conventions attended by
the Corresponding Secretary, his correspond
epee. their Anti-Slavery Depository and Read
ing Room, &c. They particularly mention
works. written by a native OF slave State, and
widely circulated there and in the free States
entitled, "The Wrongs of American Slavery
exposed by the light of the Bible and OF Facts,
with Remedy "The Sinfulness OF Slave
bolding.n and Non Fellowship with Slave
holders the Duty of Christians" and remark
tbat in portions of the free States moral dark
ness prevails on the subject of American Slave
nv some portions of the Bible and the duty OF
Christians, almost to as great an extent as IN
the slave States themselves.
Allusion is made to the large issues OF the
naner called the american Missionary and the
National Era, both founded by the friends and
officers of this society and also to the Agent in
New Mexico. who is laboring to promote the
Aut-Slayery cause, and other moral enter
prises, in that Territory Mention is made OF
the recent visit TO this country and Canada oil
the Secretary of the British Society, and the
valuable results of it; also of the labors OF the
Committee of the BRITIsH AND FOREIGN ANTI
SLAVERY Society, its periodical, the Reporter,
&c.
The Address Of the Committee, on behalf Of
the Society, to KossUTH, is spoken of as en-
bodyinp some of his most remarkable decara-
tions on the subject OF human rights, thus sent
ont under the sanction of his high authority
Tho Committee explain the letter that accom-
,,an;ad the Address which some persons have
Irn;sunderstood The Committee, it is said, did
nor intimate to the EXILE that they did not
wish or expect him to utter any condemnation
Of Slavery during his stay in this country, but
that they did not expect an dnsuer 10 n'f'r ad-
dress for reasons assigned, leaving it OF course,
20 him to adopt his own mode Of expressing his
views ON that subject They express wish,
however. that he had stated explicitly that he
stool nv the sentiments he had avowed in Hun
. gary and England, even if he had added that
coming to this country on special errand, he
might not feel called upon to discuss the sub
iect here They hope he will not leave the
country without reiterating the noble senti-
ments he has often uttered with regard to the
equality of men before the law, and the neces
sity of nations being just to all before they can
be entitled to the respect OF mankind or the
favor of God Mention is made of the rebnke
given to Ex- Chancellor Walworth, by KossUTH,
for attempting to cast slur upon the Anti
Slavery citizens whom he falsely accused of seek
ing to entangIe the illustrious Hungarian by
obtaining from him On expression of opinion
on the subject of American Slavery.
The Committee allude, gratefully, to express
sions of confidence from four American mis-
sionaries at the Sandwich Islands, and the re-
ception of several hundreds of dollars collected
in their churches to promote the Ant-Slavery
cause and mitigate the sufferngs of Fugitive
Slaves They then notice the workings of the
Fugitive Slave Act which they say has been
called " the most Internal libel on the name of
LAW which any Legislature has ever enacted"
and allnde to the adjudications that have been
made by United States Commissioners in re-
spect to persons seized as fugitiyes. Especial
mention is made of the late case in this city
Horace Preston-and to the censures freely ex-
pressed with reference to the Commissioner;
but the committee think he administered the
act according to the meaning of its Trainers
that they deserve the censure of the communi-
ty for passing such an unconstitutional and in
famous act as well as he for administering it.
They also think that all who are concerned in
carrying it into effect should receive the indig-
nant censure of the people while the act itself
should be disobeyed. Notice is taken of the
late case in Pennsylvania, that resulted in the
death of the alleged fugitive by the hand of the
While it is believed the act cannot be carried
out without bloodshed, the committee believe
that it ia operating bene6cially in opening the
eyes of the community to the nature Of slave
ry, of which the act is an oG-shoot. The very
great distress of the people of color, on account
of the act is feelingly alluded to.
The signal defeat of the Government in in
stigating the Indictment of thirty eight citizens,
supposed to be engaged in the Christians az
fair which resulted in the death of Mr.. Cor
such the stakeholder who attempted to seize a
fugitive slave by force of arms is mentioned in
terms of exultation. 1t is stated that seventy
thousand dollars, out of the public treasury, are
reported to have been expended in the abOrtive
effort to convict these men Of treason and strike
terror into the Anti-Slavery ranks, and among
the people Of color, by their execution.
The indignant feelings of that portion of the
people who are sufficiently free from political
and ecclesiastical ties to value human rights
and paramount obligations to God have found
vent it is remarked, in resolutions and speeches
made at Conventions called to consider what
duties are imposed upon Christians and patri-
OTIS in reference to slavery in our country 1t
is stated that the leading political parties and
religious sects prove themselves recreant to the
cause of Liberty, Republicanism, and Christi
anity; and that the church is responsible for a
continuation of slavery.
The alarm of the slave States in view of the
increase Of the free people of color and the
stringent laws resulting from it, are mention
ed and the true cause is assigned, viz: that as
the disparity in numbers between them and
the slaves is lessened, Slavery will be weaken
ed. The dlsgraceful act of Indiana, in prohb-
itng IN her Constitution persons Of color be-
coming residents or citizens of the State, is
polntedly alluded to. 1t is considered viola
ton OF the Constitution of the United States,
ana every generous mind is exhorted to con-
denim IT. 1t is stated that the people of color,
alarmed and exasperated as they naturally are,
seem determined to maintain their ground and
resist all schemes Of repatriation, while they
make new efforts to acquire education, proper.
", ana knowledge of agriculture and the
mechanic arts, in order that they may rise tc
fesPectaD'lity and competency in the country
of their birth
Mention is made of the ANrI-SLAvERY So.
ciErY FOR CANADA and the LADIES' AssocIA.
TON, both located at Toronto, Western Cana
da and it is said the humane and effective aid
gwen to the fugitives is appreciated in the
States by all the friends of humanity. The new
efforts making by the Colonization Society are
alluded to, and the advice given by some Anti.
S Soy men, who disclam sympathy with the
uoerctSe principles Of the Society or any of its
members and friends, is spoken Of The Com.
n,'tee say, that although they do not oppose
Voluntary emigration of either colored or white
people 70 any part of the world, they have ever
peen aerse to the people of color being placed
ma. ~ a position that obliged then to choose be-
wee. ., TWO evils, and virtually forced them from
ene iand OF their birth and choice. The Com.
'lii'.ee have believed and do believe that the
continuance of educated men of color in this
sl ounsry is great service not only to the en-
o oot, oy giving to them hope, but to their free
o'o'eu friends and to the country itself. The