The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-31


comparison the superiority OF an unlim-
tied freedom of opinion over the restrictive
system Of Europe The inspired axiom of
Mr.. JEFFERSON, that "error ceases to be dan
gerous when reason is left free to combat it,"
Is susceptible of daily proof; whilst Russia
Spaip, France and Mexico devote political
dissenters to exile, or degrade the press into
an echo Of the government, we authorize the
publication ofany doctrines, howsoever blasphe-
nous, anarchcal, or fraudulent, confident that
popular intelligence will detect their falacies,
and popular integrity will be proof against
their seduction.
The Government of the United States has
been voluntarily adopted by the people, be-
cause 1t is the best form known to them. But
If better could be devised, or if any improve
ments or objections can be established, why
should they not be discussed The discus
sion VIII hurt no one; and if the proposals for
amendment be not more substantial than those
which have been for some years proclaimed by
It's fanatcal enemies, the Constitution will
continue to shine with the pure serenity of the
moon upon the wolves who bay at its bright
ness.
We find in the New York Herald full re.
port OF the proceedings of the Anti-Slavery
Convention in Boston, which well illustrates
the truth of the above observations. Men and
women, whose morbid sympathes for the
black race have hardened into concrete gall
against those of the white race who hold
doctrine differing from their own, rave against
the Bible, against the God who gave it, against
the Constitution TO which they themselves are
parties, and against the laws enacted by Lee
gislatures in which their opinions have been
fairly represented.
We are reminded by the insane rawlings of
this convention of recent description of the
HOwling Dervishes: "You pay few piasres
for admission, and see thirty or forty howlers
who scream a sort of chant, rendered more
dreadful by the shrill voices of some of the
performers" This would be very fair descrip-
ton of the convention, except that the motives
OF the American are more pernicious than those
of the Asiatic howlers. Mr.. WRIGHT hurls
an anathema against the Almighty: ssHe was
an Atheist to,any thing which sanctioned sla-
very. He would put his heel upon any thing
that sanctioned slavery. If God sanctioned
slavery, he roouLd put has heel upon Him.
Kisses and applause. He would spend his
money or his life to overthrow such Govern.
ment or such a God"
The Rev. Mr.. VARIES avows the alleged
doctrines of Loyola, and will acknowledge the
laws to be binding, with reservation as to the
Fugitive Slave law, which he will never exc
cute. He will tolerate the Constitution for the
present. The Rev. Mr.. FOSTER contended
that the Constitution of the United States was
pro slavery compact, and that no abolitionst
could cOnscentionsly vote under its provisions
Mrs. BEARN said the living God had called on
her to speak, though she was suffering under
bad cold. She had been turned out of Ba ptst
church for speaking her mind, but, feeling the
spirit working like yeast within her, she was
''bound to speak" Miss Lucy Stone report
ed unfavorably Of the audiences in the interior.
They seemed neither to pay nor listen. She
denounced the "baby-stealers' with great en-
PhasIs.
We can see no difference in these rawlings
and those of the poor lunatic who lately
declared that God had put her victim into her
hands, and that having heard her very often
complain of a want of light in this world, she
had charitably sent her to see ifthere was not
more light in another.
The more responsible members of the con-
yentlon, however, give some significant hints
of their purposes. They maEe a deliberate as
sault upon the Freesoilers because they will
not come up to the work.
The Council denOunces the carnal detection
81
MAcBRIAR does those of MoRroN after the
battle of Boutwell, Bridge. The Freesoilers
neither go far nor fast enough for the Aboli-
tionists. The latter evidently hating on
the brink of an insane determination, which
nothing but their insignifcance prevents being
of Importance.
The purpose of the Aboitionists is 10 free
the slaves by violation of the Constitution
The Freesoilers are more deliberate and
more sagaeious. They propose their abolition
through the ballot box whilst WARREN and
WRIGHT wish to send o5lt crusade to carry de-
VastatiOn into the South. Their more wary CO.
adjutOrs prefer a Pacific railroad, which shall
pour voters, as through a conduit, upon the
Prairies of the West, which shall organize and
be sufficient to pass law of enamel patton, Sc
cure the signature of an abolition President,
and the decree of an abolition court.
This scheme is sanctioned by the opinion of
the Westminster Reristc, and by the avowals
of leading and eminent Freesoilers in this
country.
But the Freesoilers were handled in the
convention without mercy. 1t seemed to be
suspected that Messrs SUMNER and others
were more intent upon getting into Congress
than IN Vindicating their doctrines when they
got there. They were even charged with
drinking cocktails with SouLE and Done
LAS. Even the position of Mr. Hale
seemed uncertain; and that very jolly clown of
the Senate-who cracked Jokes and turned
somersaults, who took cuts from any ring master
without the spirit to resent them-seems TO
have greatly disappointed the friends who Sc
cured him mis- political engagement.