The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-04-28
Bangor. April 25. 1854.

Hoih ahe AsS'' 4'Ai' <Nho"t WI "o SusySSs VI
emancipation. II was delivered 10 a
crowded audience, in the Union Street
Church, which was most brilliantly lighted
with gas lights on the occasion. The
lecturer has been for some time past giving
lectures 10 his society upon subjects Of NOR
al and social interest, and This lecture was
one in the course. Mr.. Allen, some years
since, was settled a, Washington, D. C,
where we had an opportunity Of hearing
him preach for a few Sabbaihs. g A, tina,
lime, we were impressed with the idea, iha,
his preaching would not suit The peculiar
temper Of tho reformer, and loo myslical
and mythical in its general character, TO be
generally useful..We are not sure bu, some
iaul, Of this description might now be
found with his public teaching. He has
neither the voice nor the figure Of stall
wart, cut and slash reIormer, none OF thai,
s'ernness Of appearance. which fancy seems
to say that the resoluie grappler with great
social evils should have. His figure is
slight, voice not strong, though no, un.
pleasant, and he has quie, way of delivery
His lecture las, Sabbath evening was in.
dicatiye OF thought, and close study on
the subject OF emancipation, and a varied
acquaintance with the subject of slavery
It's influences upon the Northern aud South.
ern mind, and the social condition Of III e
States In which il exists. The lecturer
started with the declaration that he had no
certain panacea 10 remedy the vast evil Of
slavery, that the great problem Of its aboli.
lion was one which could no, well be solv.
ed, bu, he had given the subject thought,
aud wished 10 give his views, and the con.
illusions to which he had arrived. After
speaking somewhat difiusely in regard 10
the idea generally entertained at the com.
mencement Of our political existence as a
nation, that slavery was no, TO be an ins,i-
tuition of permanent character, an idea
which he said was entertained now, in all
sections, he proceeded TO the general
question OF emancipation, examining by
successive arguments, the grounds taken
by those who have thought upon the sub.
ject. In his view, il was mistaken idea,
as all believed that il mus, sooner or later
come 10 an end, TO fold our arms and await
with trembling soliciiude the final result. II
was moral cowardice no. 10 look !, fully in
the face, and refuse TO take measures thai
would ensure its termination in way
which would best promote the peace and
happiness ofall. The progress Of the prin.
ciples Of freedom, throughout the world,
and slaveholding communities themselves
were sharing in ,hatprOgress, was gradually
bringing up ins,rumentaliiies which would.
work for emancipation. The lecturer gave
The radical anii-slavery men credit for the
courage and energy with which they had
despite Of obloquy and abuse, maintained
their principles, and he thought tha, they
had done much TO open the way for the less
radical reformer, and 10 inform the public
mind and elevate lis moral tone, on the
momenious question Of slavery. We were
really glad to hear this class Of perhap:
over jealous, but yet sincere men, spoken
of with so much candid truth. Roget q:
we may, the iniemperance of their zeal
and their whitening denunca,ions Of slave.
holders and slavery still we can bn, admire
the lofty heroism which they have display.
ed in meeting, with an undaunted spirit,
tho ferocious mob spirit, and the cool con
temp, which has been so often manifested
towards them. But we cannot stop for re-
Elections of our own. The lecturer exam
lined the colonization scheme as a mean,
of emancipation, gave i, credit for doing
something, but regarded i, as unworthy o
a though, as an adequate remedy for the
leyil. The evil was too immense 10 bt
line, and overcome with such instrumental.
li,ies. Something which worked on {
grander scale was wanted, something
which, although it be in operation for .
century, yet would finally accomplish the
work. Immediate emancipation, he did
mol think, would be productive Of sec
honal strife, and be followed by blood, n:
was generally supposed, bu, there was Ii,
Tile hope for the slave from this. The grea
hope he had for emancipation, was by
hedging the system around by Gordon
of free States, and then by the silent, blu
sure influence Of that march Of public
opinion in the slave States, which woull
lead TO notifications Of the slave laws and
'Iessening their severity, laws preventing
their importation, the breaking up Of III,
n families, the encouragement Of the marriage
relation, followed perhaps by a system o
serfdom, in character similar 10 that nov
found in some countries Of Europe, al
tending 10 bring about tina, glad day, wher
personal liberty should not only be iheo
re,ically acknowledged, bu, practically en-
ljoyed throughout, the length and extent o
the land. We have IN this brief synopsis
only glanced a, the points Of the lecture
II was well wrii,ea and arranged, and ,akeI
altogether, was one Of the best lectures W,
ever listened TO on the subiec, Of emanci
patton. We hope ii may yet obtain |
wider SCOPE Of influence by lis publica
lion. ID .-i.rtye rts 10. c.