Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-02-07
DANIEL WEBSTER ON SLAVERY.

From the forhc ming Private Correspondence u Daniel Web
strr
LETTER TO REV wM II. FURNEss OF PHILADELPHIA.
WASHINGTON, Feb Is, 1850
My Dear Sir: | was good deal moved,
confess, by reading your letter Of the 9th jan
uary. Having great regards for your talents
and character could no, feel Indifferent to
what You said, when you minated that there
was, or might be, in me power to do good
M, yet exercised or developed. |, may be so
but fear, my dear sir, that you overrate, not
my desire. but my power 10 be useful in my
day and generation.
From my earliest youth have regarded sla-
very as great moral and political evil. ]
think it unjust, repugnant 10 the natural equal
iIy Of mankind, founded only in superior pow
er: standing and permanent conquest by the
stronger over the weaker All pieencc Of de-
Tending il on the ground Of different races !
have ever condemned. have even said that
if the black race is weaker that is reason
against, not for, its subsection and oppression
In religious poin, Of view, have ever rcgar.
dcd it, and spoken of it, not as subjected to any
express dcnunciaiion, either in the Old Tesla.
mcnt or the New; but as opposed to the whole
spirit Of the Gospel aud to The teachings Of Je-
sus Christ.
The religion of Jesus Christ is religion of
kindness, justice aud brohcrly love.
But slavery is not kindly aflectionate it does
not seek anolher's, and not its own it does
not let the oppressed go free. 1t is, as have
SAID, but continual act of oppression. But
then, such is the influence of habit of think
ing Among men, and such is the influence Of
what has been long established, that even minds,
religious and tenderly conscientious, such as
would be shocked by any single act Of oppres-
sion. in any single exercise Of violence and un.
just power, are not always moved by the reHec-
ton that slavery is a continual and permanent
violation of human rights.
But now, my dear sir, what can be done by
me, who act only part in political life, and
who have no power over the subject of slavery
as ii exists in the States Of the Union, | do
what can 10 restrain II to prevent its spread
and diffusion But cannot disregard The ora
cles which instruct me not TO do evil that good
may come. cannot cooperate in breaking up
Of social and political systems. on the warmth.
rather than the strength, Of hope that, in such
commissions The cause Of emancipation NAV be
promoted.
Aud even if the end would justify the means,
| cOniess do moi see the relevancy of such
means 10 such an end. confess, my dear sir,
that in my judgment, confusion, conflict, embit-
tered controversy, bloodshed and civil war
would only rvel the chains of slavery the more
strongly.
In my opinion, it is the mild influences of
Christianity, 10 soitening and melting powers
Of the Sun of Righteousness, and not The storms
and tempesis Of heated controversy, that are,
in the course Of those events which an all-wise
Providence overrues, to dissolve the irnn iei
lers by which man is made the slave of man.
The effect of moral causes, though sure. is
slow. In Two thousand years, the doctrines
and miracles Of Jesus Christ have converted
bu, very small part Of the human race and
among Christian nations, even, many gross and
obvious errors, like that of the lawfulness of
slavery, have still held their ground.
But what are Two thousand years in the
great work Of The progress of the Regeneration
and redemption Of mankind If we see tina,
the course Is onward aud forward as ii certain
~ is, III regard TO the fnal abolition of human
slavery; while we give il our fervent PRAYERS.
and aid ii by all the jus,ifable influences which
We can exercise, ii seems to NE We mus, leave
both the progress and the result in Iii, hands
who sees the end from the beginning and in
whose sight thousand years are but as sin.
gle day. pray you, NY dear sir accept this,
the product Of half an hour of the everinp. and
unread by the writer, as respectful and CRATE
inl acknowledgment Of your very kind and
friendly letter. DANIEL WEBSTER.