The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-15
British AbOlitionism

By the election OF Franklin Pierce, the angry spirit of
aboonism was aayed in this country. just before, the
Union had been convulsed by fanatica agitation but
the cd OF November, 1852. peace and repose
stored to the counry-lhe constitution riumphed over
lawless fanatcsmthe leagued band OF d,turbers and
agi,ators rebuked and repulsed--the DEMOCRACY
were victorious Since the reign OF quiet and order has
been unds,urbed-we hear OF aggression or re-
sisance and The surface OF society ia without ripple
different issue TO the presidential election would have
been followed by the opposite effect and all admit
that the defeat of the DEMOCRACY would have been the
signal Of another, and perhaps hercer sectional strife
The restoration of harmony the Union is thus the first
fruit OF the democratic triumph Of 1852.
But the defeat of the abotonsls in this country has
inspired their British sympatbizers and abet,ors with
greater ZEAL and has impeed them 10 extraordinary e
forts rens,aie their in It's former posi-
ton The flame that extipguished here RACES with
a more intense fuy across the Atlantic. The British
press teens with antslavsry publications. Books and
pamphlets OF every weight and dimension-quarerlies,
monihes weekes, and daies-all contribute fuel TO the
fame which is TO consume American slavery. All
classes Of British society," from The high born danes OF
Stafford House TO the starving operatives Of Manchester
unite in the crusade Of abolition.
Ii this an-slavery agitation in England were SIM
ply The expression OF moral sentiment, this coun
try would have 10 complain for our in
suons are strong enough to resist the onset Of even
fanstical public opinion. We do not deprecae the
utmos, freedom OF discussion. and would moi shrink
from the blaze OF the most searching inquiry We
care nothing for the defamation, misrepresentation,
or caumnies Of the British abolitioosis But they do
themselves with this comparatively legitimate
mode Of warfare Their defamation is not simply the
ebuIton of superabuodant phiIan,hropy-,her agta-
ton is not the fro,hy eervescence OF ainess ana
cism. They address themselves TO practical object
they writ. with some effect, and they talk to some pur.
posa. They have conceived project for the sub
version Of slavery in this county. and they employ
ing all possible means for accomplishing their pur-
pose. controversy which own people cannot
conduct without the hazard OF dsunon is revived and
furously pressed by the subjects Of rival power The
fame which was ex,nguished with much difficulty by
the efforts OF those whose destruction it threatened is re-
kinded by burglars feeling for consequences
Great Britain is made the raying point and Brit.
.h subjects the soldiers in crusade against the Amsr
can Union. It is OF this that Americans complain and
complain with justice We find in British journal. many
honeyed phrases OF compliment to the American people,
and much parade OF fralernal feeling aud International
comfy bu, they demonstrate the sincerity OF their pro-
LESSONS OF friendship by practical Of the most
destructive hostility, and illustrate their notions OF inter-
national obligation by fonenng domestic dssenson in
the heart Of the Union. With what pre'cnce OF right
do the subjects OF Great Britain interfere in the purely
domestic affairs Of this country Is there any obligation
upon them to redress the evils Of slavery Perhaps
they may urge some plea OF State necessity 10 excuse
for their conduct II may be that they hope to
the preudices OF public opinion against this country to
discred the operation OF free institutions, to dispe the
charm which this prosperous republic the mods
Of their own oppressed people, and thus TO arrest the
diffusion OF those liberal principles which mus, eventually
undermine and destroy their monachical and arsocraue
institutional may be with this object that the Journal.
OF Great Britain persist in wing exaggerated pictures OF
the evils OF American slavery Butno matter what its pur
pose their condue, is the less offensive and unfendy
The subjects OF Great Britain have with the
internal affairs OF his country, and when their otcious
intermeddlsg endansers s domestic peace they array
themselves among its acknowledged enemies