The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-29
LETTER FROM JUDGE JAY.
THE NORTHERN CONVENTION.
BEDFORD, N. Y, Sept. "a. 49,


: BEDFORD, N. Y, Sept, "a, 1857.
{ GENTLEMEN: have been favored with YOUR
letter, inviting me to add my name to q call Tor
/. Convention of citizens of the free States, "to
consider the practicability, probability, and ex-
bediency, of separation between the free and
slave States"
: The subject you propose for consideration
has long been to me one of deep and painful
interest. Although fully aware of the many
social, commercial, and political advantages
resulting from the Federal Union, l am never.
theless convinced that it is at present a most
grievous moral curse to the American people.
To the people of the South it is curse, by
fostering, strengthening, and extending, an in
iquitous and bsneful institution. To the mil.
lions among us of African descent i. is curse.
by riveting the chains OF the bondman, and
deepening the degradation of the freeman. To
the people of the free States it is a curse, by
tempting them to trample under foot the obi
cations of truth, justice, and humanity, for
those wages of iniquity with which tho Federal
Government so abundantly rewards apostates
to liberty and righteousness.
In my opinion, while the Union continues to
be thus curse, it will be indissoluble; and
that, should it ever cease to be curse, it will
be blessing. Allow me to trespass a little
upon your patience in explaining the grounds
Of this opinion.
An aristocracy, few in numbers, and scat
tered over an immense region, but from com.
mon interest acting as a unit--an aristocracy,
not of birth, nor of education, but solely of
wealth in land and in the bodies and souls of
men--now governs with insolent and arbitrary
sway twenty-five millions of people. This uni
ted aristocracy, acting in concert with almost
any political party at the North, can WELD the
vast and increasing patronage of the General
Government. Northern Democrats have deem.
ed it expeoient to form with these lords of the
lash most intimate and submissive alliance:
and, scornng and repudisting the sentiments
of Jefferson on human rights, these pretended
friends of liberty and equality are now the hum.
BILE and willing instruments of a crushing and
loathsome despotism. The seductions of the Fed
eral Government, profered through the friends
ofSlavery, have converted the Northern DeYaoc.
racy into stupendous organized LIE; a party
with liberty ever on its lips, and human bond
age in its heart party always ready at the
bidding Of its patrons to sacrifice liberty of
speech, of the press, of legislative debate, of
petition, and even of the pulpit itself, on the
altar of the Southern moloch Discarding
alike the deductions of reason and the moni.
tons OF conscience, this party adopts, with the
unhestating faith Of votary of an infallible
Church, every doctrine, whether con sttutional
or political, which it may be the policy of the
shareholders to PROFOUND. Now, surely, it is
not to be expected that party that lives aud
moves and has it's being in its union with slave
holders will aid you in dissolving that Union.
The Shareholders, in concert with their
. Northern allies, have established the trade of
UNIoNsAvING, a trade exceedingly convenient
to each party concerned. Whenever a new ag.
gression is to DO made on the rights of the
North, or a new outrage ON humanity to be
perpetrated awful threats are Illuminated from
the South, that the Union shall expire in blood,
unless the North will accede to the new de.
mand. Instantly, the Union savers begin their
work. They warn the people of their depend
ence on the South, and of the horrors of the
impending civil war, and they insist on the
RESPONSIVENESS OF the new claims A panic is
soon manufactured. Politicians become I'M
easy about the next election; the merchants
are fearful lest grass will grow in our Streets
If not trodden by Southern customers and our
cotton parsons pray and preach about the pres
ervation Of the Union and the peace of the
Church. The result of the continuance ia O
virtual submissiol to the mandates of the
Shareholders, under the term of COMPROMISE:
the Union is saved for while, and the farce
ends with paying some of the savers, and leav-
ing more TO look for their reward the next time.
The Democratic party, although wholly con-
secrated to Slavery, does not embrace all the
Pro-Slavery of the North. In every party
there are individuals who occasionally deem
it prudent to bow down before the dark
idol. In general, the homage of all but
Democrats is distrusted, is coldly received,
and but poorly rewarded. STILL adventures
frO,, oil y,ars,aO all =:
tai in the Union-saving trade. The painful ex-
perience of Mr.. Webster seems to have proved
an UNDECIDED lesson. His audacious ples for
throwing open the new Territories ia Slavery,
that the law of the formation OF the earth set.
tied forever, with strength beyond all terms
of human enactment that Slavery cannot exist
in California and New Mexico was received
by those for whose favor he sacrificed himself
with silent contempt; while even Southern
jurists revolted from his hideous doctrine. that
the rescue of a fugitive slave from the CUSTODY
of an officer, by unarmed men, was a lepvino
Of ,oar against The United States, an act Of
high treason, to be punished with death
late occurrence in Boston may satisfy Won
that, while so many Northern men are wiling
to pay obsequiops court TO shareholders. how.
ever personally odioas, there can be little dis.
position at the North TO part the chain which
binds it to the slave region. -
In June last was celebrated the anniversary
OF the battle of Bunker Hill, connected with the
inauguration" of q statue to Warren. Won.
oeSiui as y may seem, pains were taken to
make this celebration demonstration of re-
spect for human bondage, and of insult to the
champions of human rights. The notorious
james N. Mason received, as he himself as.
serted, gracious invitation from the " gen.
tlemen of the Bunker Hill Association to wit.
ness the spectacle. a distinguished gentleman
OF Boston, not protesting to be Democrat, ad.
dressed the assembly, telling them, The State
of Virginia is represented here to-day by Sen.
ator in Congress, whom it has been my privi-
tege TO know personally in sphere of common
duty, whose name has been noted for more than
one generation for services in Stata and Ma.