The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-31

garchy, ana you Will possess the nasCeA-hoJ W
unlock the whole house of bondage. PROSTATE
the Slave Oligarchy, and the gates OF emancipa-
ton viii be open at the South.
But, without waiting for this contamination,
there is another special duty to be done here al
home on our own soil, which must be made 1ree
in reality as in name. And here shall speak
frankly, though not without proper sense OF the
responsibility of my words. know that can
not address you entirely as private citizen
but shall say nothing here which have moi
said elsewhere, and which shall be proud to
vindicate everywhere. GA Ee," it has been de-
clared, should be trampled out and extin-
guished forever" and surely you will do moth
ing less with tyrannical and wicked enactment
The Fugitive Slave Bill, while it continues I'M
repealed, must be made dead letter-not by
violence, not by any unconstitutional activity
of Intervention, not even by hasty conflict be
tween jurisdictions, but by an aroused Pubic
Opinion, which, in its irresistible might, shall
blast with contempt, indignation, and. abhor-
renee, all who consent to be its agents. Thus
did our fathers blast all who became the agents OF
the Stamp Act; and surely their motive was
small, compared with ours. The Slave-hunter
who drags his victim from Africa is loathed as
a monster; but defy any acuteness of reason
to indicate the moral difference between this
act and that of the Slave-hunter who drags his
victim from our Northern free soil. A few puny
persons, calling themselves the Congress of the
United States, with the title of Representatives
and Senators, cannot turn wrong into right
cannot change a man into thing-cannot re-
verse the irreversible law of God-cannot make
him wicked who hunts slave on the burning
sands of Congo or Guinea, and make him virtu-
Gus who hunts a slave in the colder streets of
pooo
of reason distinguish between the bill of sale
from the kidnapper, by which the unhappy AZ
rican was originally transferred in Congo or
Guinea, and the certificate of the Commission
er, by which, when once again in Freedom, he
was reduced anew to Bondage. The acts are
kindred, and should share a kindred condemna-
ton.
One mans virtue becomes standard of ex-
cellence for all /; and there is now in Boston a
simple citizen whose example may be lesson
to Commissioners, Marshals, Magistrates, while
it fills all with the beauty Of generous act.
refer to Mr.. Hayes, who resigned his place in
the city police, rather than take any part in the
pack of the Slave hunter. He is now the door.
keeper of the public edifce which has been
honored this winter by the triumphant lectures
on Slavery. Better be doorkeeper in the
house of the Lord, than a dweller in the tents
of the ungodly. For myself, let me say, that
can imagine no Office, no salary, no considera-
ton, which would not gladly forego, rather
than become, in any way, an agent for the en-
slavement Of my brother man. Where, for me,
would be comfort or solace, after such work
In dreams and in waking hours, in solitude
and in the street, in the study of the open book
and in conversation with the world, wherever
turned, there my victim would stare me in the
face, while from the distant rice-felds and
plantations of the South, his cries beneath
the vindictive lash, his means at the thought of
liberty once his-now, alas ravished away
would pursue me, repeating the tale of his fear.
full doom, and sounding-forever sounding--in
my ears, Thou art the man." Mr.. President,
may no such terrible voice ever fall on your soul
or minel
Yes, sir, here our duty is plain and para
mount. While the Slave Oligarchy. through
its unrepealed Slave Bill, undertakes to enslave
our free soil, We can only turn for protection to
Public Opinion worthy Of a humane, Just, and
religious people, which shall keep perpetual
guard over the liberties of all within our bor-
ders; nay, more which, like the flaming sword
of the cherubim at the gates of Paradise turn.
ing on every side, shall prevent any Slave
hunter from ever setting foot on our sacred
soil. Elsewhere he may pursue his human
prey; he may employ his congenial blood
hounds, and exult in his successful game.
But into thesa dom oins Of Freedom lie must
not come. And this Public Opinion, With Free
dom as its watchword, must proclaim not only
the overthrow of the Slave Bill, but also the
overthrow of the Slave Oigarchy behind-the
two pressing duties of the North, essential to
our own emancipation; and believe me, sir
while they remain undone, nothing is done.
Mr.. President, far already have l trespassed
upon your generous patience, but there are 9th
er things which still press for utterance. Some.
thing would say of the arguments by which
our Enterprise is commended; something also
of the appeal it makes to men of every condi
ton; and something also of union, as a vital
necessity, among all who love Freedom.
/ know not if our work can be soon accom-
plished. know not, sir, if you or l can live
to see in our Republic the vows Of the fathers
at length fulfilled as the last fetter falls from
the limbs of the last slave But one thing do
know beyond all doubt or question, that this
Enterprise must 60 on-that in its irresistible
current, it will sweep schools. colleges, church.
es, the intelligence, the conscience, and the re-
ligious aspirations of the land, while all who
stand in its way or speak evil of it are laying
up for their children, if not for themselves
days of sorrow and shame. Better to strive in
this cause, even unsuccessfully, than never to
strive at all
There is no weapon in the celestial armory OF
truth, there is no sweet influence from the
skies, there is no generous word that ever
dropped from human lips which may not be
employed. Ours, too, is the argument alike of
the Conservative and the Reformer, for our
cause stands on the truest conserv atsm and the
truest reform. 1t seeks the conservation OF
Freedom itself, and of kindred historic princi
pies; it seeks also the reform of Slavery. and OF
the kindred tyranny by which it is upheld. Re
hglon, morals, justice, economy, the Constitu
ton, may each and all be invoked; and one
person is touched by one argument, while an
other person is touched by another. You do
not forget how Christopher Columbus won Isa
bella of Spain to his enterprise of discovery
He first presented to her the temptation of ex.
tending her dominions, but she hearkened not
He next promised to her the dazzling wealth OF
the Indies, and still she hearkened net. Blu,
when at last was pictured to her pious imagi
nation the poor heather with souls to be saved
then the youthful Queen poured her royal Jew
els into the lap of the Gsnoese adventurer, and
at her expense that small feet was sent forth
which gave to Spain and to mankind New
World.
AS in this enterprise there is a place for ever,
argument 80 also is there place for every
man. Even as on the broad shield of Achilles
sculptured by divine art, was wrought every
form of human activity; so in this cause, which
is the very shield of Freedom, whatever mar
can do, by deed or speech, may find its PLACE
One may act in one way, and another in another
way; but all must act. Providence is fell
through individuals; the dropping of wate
wears away the rock. and no man can he ar
humble or poor as to be excused from THU
work, while to all the happy in fortune, genius
or fame, it makes a special appeal. Here ii