The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03
FREE DISCUSSION,

FREE DISCUSSION,
GRAHAM's AMERICAN MONTHLY, March, 1853.
Mr. Graham's combativeness is aroused He
denounced Uncle Toms Cabin, got himself
pretty we'll denounced for it, and now denoun-
ces his denouncers with intense vehemence.
other, and Graham is decidedly opposed to
Uncle Tom. We like to see a man fight brave
ly, when he does fight, even in bad cause
and Graham is engaged in a most desperate
cause. His magazine, hitherto so peaceful now
bristles at every point, with the horrid imple-
ments of war
1t is amusing-ths new Quixotic foray, this
running a-tilt at windmills, this display of chiv-
airy in behalf Of our poor, friendless, persecu-
ted country. And then, Mrs. Stowe must feel
extremely bad after hearing that Graham has
rendered his verdict against her
OF the Philadelphia monthlies, Godey's cut
Grace Greenwood, some two or three years ago,
to please the South and then "bid high" for
slaveholding patronage We suppose it was
profitable speculation. Sartain's maintained its
propriety, and died decenty Graham's was
independent; patronized Elder, Lowell, Grace
Greenwood, and pandered to no sectional SEN
timent But, a change seems to have come
over it: he is shocked by Mrs. Stoves want
of patriotism, and censured for his comments
upon her, he is shocked again at the intolerance
of the Anti Slavery commentators While play
ing the critic, he will not submit to be criticized
Both he and Cooley have taken up arms against
Great Britain and British slavery Very good;
every blow we'll directed at oppression and
wrong in Great Britain, must rebound against
oppression and wrong in this country Both
claim the right, and feel it their duty to expose
what they consider the expressions Of the poor
of England, and to rebuke the oppressors On
what prctence, then, can they excuse themselves
for attempting to shield the expressions and
oppressors among their own countrymen from
censures Or, if they really believe agitation
against social or political wrongs to be mis-
chievous, why do they agitate.
Meantime, we do not question the right of
these magazines to occupy what position they
please on any question they may excuse or
justify the serfdom of Russia or the slavery
OF the United States; they may oppose every
movement designed to elevate labor and the
laborlng millions; they may advocate Mormon
ism and plurality of wives, if they choose
doubtless, they will find plenty of sympathizers
and supporters; but they must not complain if
they fail to receive encouragement from those
who believe literature is never more basely
prostituted than when pressed into the support
of njustice and Tyranny.
Wings do not blame Democrats for not sup.
porting Wing papers and Anti-Slavery men
ought not to be charged with intolerance for
preterr'ng periodicals. which sympahtize with
their most cherished principles, or at least do
not h"bitually assail them. Let Graham and
Cooley embark in crusade, if they please,
against Antl-Slavery men, but it il ridiculous
to complain Of the intolerance of Anti-Slavery
men Tor not detraying the expenses of such
crusade.
by the way, We ask pardon of Mr.. Graham
tor assoclating him in any way with Mr.. Go
dey. The one it seems to us, has acted from
cold calculation of profit and loss the other
has been hurried along by prejudice and i'm
pulse, without any calculation at ALL and with
out any deliberate purpose to occupy pro-sla-
very position. There are 30 many good things
about him and his magazine, that We are sor-
ry, very sorry to see him slipping from the fair
position he has hitherto occupied.
Mr.. Graham says-"T The strong money
making side now, is the Anti-Slavery side. y
Not quite yet, but we hope it soon will be. The
devil, in the long run, is bad paymaster, and
the sooner people are convinced of this the bet
ter. Graham himself does not think 40 well
of slavery that he would have the support of il
"to pay better" than opposition to it, We wish
the world could be taught that honesty was
the best policy--that more was to be made by
standing for the right than by defending the
wrong.
Whenever the South shall arrive at the con.
cluson that its best interests are on the Anti
Slavery side, there will be no pro- slavery side
And yet it ia not the less true that human ma.
ture is capable of self-sacrifce-that men may
and do act at times in utter disregard of mere
selfish considerations Mr. Graham saws
awe should scorn ourself and our country
did we feel that question of dollars could af
feet US in the independent discussion of a great
public question, and that the vene public o,
readers, North Of Mason l. DiIons line have
30 lost the very virtue of the blood of their fore
fathers, that free discussion is to be drowned
by the cry of stop your periodical, and die IN
the ditch i'p
We have no doubt that he felt lust as he
wrote when he penned this paragraph. But
is he really for free discussion DO we under.
stand him aright' Will he publish the argu,
ment in mis- magazine on the other side of the
question, Us it relates to Uncle Toms Cabin
or American slavery, or British Slavery, or the
policy of Anti.Slavery men If he will, no
body will desire him to die in the ditch, O,
anywhere else.
The publisher who truly plants h!mself upon
the broad ground Of free discussion has o righ