The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-29

force. Had physical force been needful to effect
the deliycranee of Koszta, IL wOnld have been
nsedful merely because the American people
and American Government lacked the moral
character. or. in other words, the moral force,
adeovate 10 his deliverance. But as | have
already intiniated, our nation is no more def
oient in this respect than other nations
| said that could not bestow unqualified
nraise on the Administration for its part in the
Koszta affair la one or two of those passages
of rare rhetorical beauty in his letter to Mr..
Hulsemapn, Secretary Marcy insnuates the
despotic character of Austria. Now, will not
say, that there was impudent hypocrisy in the
insinuation but will say that the insinuation
was in bad taste and that it was bad policy.
cunning policy would studiously avoid, in
our diplomatic correspondence, all illusions to
despotism and oppression, lest such illusions
might suggest to the reader comparisons be-
tween our country and other countries, that
would be quite unfavorable to us.
! admit, that Austria is an oppressor But
is it not equally true and far more glaringly
true that America is much greater and
guiltier oppressor2 Indeed compared with
orr despotism, which classes millions of men,
women. and children, with cattle, Austrian
despotism is but as the little finger to the loins
Surely surely, it will never be time for Ameri.
ca to taunt Austria with being an Oppressor
until the influence of American example is such,
as to shame Austria out of her oppression,
rather than to justify and confirm her in it.
10 this same letter to the Representative of
Austria, Mr.. Marcy presnmes to quote as one
of the Qualifications Of -Gapt-Ingrahsm's con-
duct, the Divine law 10 do unto Others as IRE
wouid hare others do unto u.s. Now, WAS it
not the very acme of presumption for the Amer
lean Government 20 quote this law, while it
surpasses every other Government in trampling
it under foot! Did Mr. Marcy suppose Mr.
Hulsemann to be stone-blind! Did he suppose
that Mr.. Hulsemann had lived in the city of
Washington 50 long, and yet had seen nothing
of the buying and selling of human beings as
hrutes, which is continually going on here, un-
der the eye, and under the authority Of Gov
eminent? Did he suppose, that Mr.. Hulse-
mann could be ignorant of the fact that the
American Government is the great slavecatch-
er for the American shareholders? Did he
suppose him to be ignorant of the fact that
the great American slave trade finds in the
American Government its great patron; and
that this trade is carried on, not only under
the general protection, but under the specific
regulations, of CODgressl Did he suppose him
to be ignorant of the fact, that many, both ut
the North and South, (among whom is the
President himself) claim that American sa-
very is national institution i-and made such
by the American Constitution 1t as national
institution. IL not made such by our organic
law, it is nevertheless, made such by the en-
actments OF Congress, the decisions/of the Ju-
dietary, and the acquicscence Of the American
People. And did Mr. Marcy suppose MIR.
Hulsemann to be entirely unaware, that the
present Administration surpasses all its prede-
cessors in shameless pledges and devotion to
the Slave Power! Certainly Mr.. Marcy fell
into great mistake, in presuming Mr.. Hulse-
mann to be in total darkness on all these points.
II indeed mistake, it is very ludicrous one.
lie but an affectatIon, it is too wicked to be 10
dcrous.
| referred a moment since, to some of the
evidences of the nationality Of American Sla-
very 1t, sometimes, suits the shareholders TO
claim, that their Slavery is an exclusively State
concern; and that the North has, therefore,
nothing to do with it. Bot as well may you,
when urging man uphill with heavy load
upon his back and with your lash also upon his
back, tell him that he has nothing to do either
with the load or the lash. The poor North
has much to do with Slavery. 1t staggers un.
der its load and smarts under its lash
| But must do Secretary Marcy and the Ad-
ministration justice. What have said, were
| TO stop here, would convey the idea, that, in
his letter to Mr. Hulsemann, the Secretary in
cucates the duty of unconditional obedience to
the law, which requires us to d. unto others,
as We would have others do unto us. He is
however, very far from doing so. He remem-
bers as with paternal solicitude, American
L. A
vides for their safety. TO this end he qualities
the commandment Of God and makes it read
that we are to obey it, only when there il no
commandment of man to the contrary. In a
word, he adopts the American theology--tbat
Pro-Slavery theology, which makes human
Government paramount to the Divine, and ex-
ats the wisdom and authority of man above
the wisdom and authority of God
| said, that must do the Secretary Justice
and have now done it. But, in doing it, a
piece of fragrant injustice has been brought to
| light. For what less than figrant can call
his injustice to the Bible The Secretary SAYS
that this blessed volume "enjoDs upon all
men, everywhere, Vhen not acting under Lega
restraint, to do unto others whatever they
would, that others should do unto them "
| Now, the phrase "when not acting under legal
mandment, as we find it in the Bible, is without
qualifications absolute. The Administration
is guilty, therefore, through it, Secretary, of
deliberately corrupting the Bible. Moreover,
it is guilty of deliberately coriupting this au-
thentlc and sacred word of Christianity at the
most vital point. For this commandment to
do unto others as we would have others do
unto US, is the sum-total of the requirement,
of Christianity. | say so on the authority of
Jesus Christ himself For when He had given
this commandment, He added "for this is the
law and the prophets"
| am not unmindful how strong temptation
the Adm nistration was under, in this instance,
to corrupt the Bible. | am willing to make
all due allowance on that account. Strong,
however, as was the temptation, it nevertheless
should have been resisted ! am well aware.
that for the Administration to Justify the rescue
OF koszta on the unqualified, naked Bible
g-ound, Of doing unto others az we would have
others do unto us, would be to throw open the
door for the rescue Of every fugitive slave. IL
would be to justify the rescue Of Shadrach at
Boston 1t would be 10 Justify the celebrated
rescue in my own neighborhood-l mean the
rescue of Jerry at Syracuse. 1t would he to
Justify the bloody rescue at Christiana. For,
not only il it true that all men would be res
cued from Slavery but it il also true, that very
nearly all men would be rescued from Sla-
very, even at the expense Of blood. add,
that for the Administration To justify on naked
Bible ground the rescue of Koszta, would be,
in effect to Justify the deverance Of every
slave. Now, for, AN Administration that sold
itself in advance to the Slave Power, and that
is indebted for ali its hopes and tor it's very
being to that Power--for such An Administra.
to take the position Of simple Bible truth, and
thereby invite the subverslon Of all Slavery,
would be to practice the cruellest ingratitude.
Such ingrattude could not fail 10 exa-perate
the Slave Power--that mighty and dominant
Power, before which not only the Adninistra
tons Of the American People, but the Ameri-
can People themselyes fall down az ahiectlY as