The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-03

From the London Times.


The following reflections upon Uhch Toms
Cabin and the slave question in the United States
are from the pen of distinguished American, q
friend Of the slave and not an antiabolitionist:
s'The effect of the publication of Uacle Toms
Cabin in this country is, to me, somewhat ques-
nonahie. Without eingie exception, previous
aoohtlon literature has been decidedly injurious to
me cause of the aiave. Masters bold slaves, as
rule, either because il Ia their interrst
noid mem, or because they cannot, an hone ct men,
as Booo Cnristians, manumit them, to remain in
.n.s cpueHy' consistently with the slaves happi-
abuse neither weakens the influence Of intere.f
nor gives activity TO philanthropy: and abnae or
something generally akin to it, has commoniv
I er.a, M op 70 tne cate Of MRS Stoves work
Snow, Oncte Toms Cabin is far better in tome
than the run OF abolition publications. II il the
work of talent, and it ia the work OF woman..n
although describing improba biiiiies in a w.
mantle way, has still sufficient of interest 49,, :;
as mere narrative TO make it pleasant READINGS
work of fiction to slaveholders themselves I
doubt, therefore, whether it has been as miscbiev
Gus az some of the inferior productiens-rnischiev
GUS, mean, to the slaves, whom it Is the object of
the writer 10 benefit am cure, however, that il
has done no good, and am very confident il has
done come harm. Its readers, generally, have
been the congregation of believers in its doctrines
Outside of these have not heard that it has made
aconvert or produced an emancipation. Itis az
powerless TO convince an interested man. or to in
Quce pnllant0F0plc one TO manumlt his slaves in
opposition TO what he conceives to be their true
interests, the rest of the category to which II
belongs. 1t is like sermon preached against
absentees from church; those hearing it don't
deserve 1t, and those deserving it don't hear it.
81 see that Mrs. Stowe has the promise of much
attention in England. ] would be proud of this, as
she Ia my untrywoman and a person of ia lent
were not afraid that the attention paid to her NAV
be looked upon here ne the expression of En- pIish
feeling generally in regard to an institution with
winch our people, among whom it exists brook no
foreign interference. | do not believe that the
question of slavery, as it exists in the United
not one person in ten troubles himself about il at
all; and, again. because those who do affect to I'M
derstand II are after ALL very ignora in regard to
1t. l do not think Mrs. Stoves visit will tend To
enlghten the public mind upon the subject, but il
Will occupy prominent place in newspaper col.
umns, which, with greedy avidity, will be reprint
ed on this side of the Atlantic, and make what
may In fact, be but the act the opinion of few
appear to be the conduct or the voice of the whole
English people; and, while no one would join more
cordially, under ordinary circumstances than
myself, In paying to merit its tribute, yet would
hesitate were to believe that in doing so there
would be the slightest chance Of preiudicine ia the
smallest degree the kindly relations that should
subsist between countries having 30 much in com.
mon as England and the United States
"Do not, beg you, understand me as SURPRISING
that Mrs. stowe Is to affect internat relations:
but just now, since the Compromise since the
President'e Inaugural. have thought there was
more than usual quiet between the different sec.
lions OF our country in regard to the slavery cues
tlon,' and look with jealousy upon any thing and
every thing calculated to raise even the tuiest rim
pie upon the now CLASSY surface of a sea lately in
such violent commotion.''