The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-05
Abolition On and or the Stage.

Inc rise anu progress VI the HeSrO-WOrSn1p-
ping mania in the United States will afford the
most important and interesting materials for fu-
ture historians. 1t is hardly thirty years ago
since the first abolition societies were formed in
this city and in Boston, on the plan of the British
and Foreign Association Of London. The
period was that Immediately subsequent to the
emancipation of the blacks in the British West
Indian Colonies, and when all the old ladies in
trowsers and all the old gentlemen in petticoats
were running over with sympathy for the CO.
lored population of the South. The object Of
the early societies was nothing more than the
amelioration of the condition of the slaves,
and their gradual emancipation by purchase
The societies were declared to be non-political,
and it was expressly stated that all their OBJ
jects were Of the gentlest the most humanita-
rian and philanthropic character. The p!.. m
thropists were in close correspondence ,,l,h
favor at Exeter Hall than at home. III were
mild fanatics, however, when compal-I with
the anti-slavery sgitators Of to-day. People
looked upon the ~abolitionists OF the pri-
mary formation as harmless lunatics, and
paid but little attention to what they did
people who are always ready to bleed
| freely when pitiful story is told them, and
who are taken in continually by confidence
men of all colors and in all conditions of life,
the abolition societies managed to make re-
| spectacle figure, as far as funds were con-
cerned, by the side Of the various religious
and benevolent associations. No sooner had
this result been attained than number of
| adventurers, of the Garrison stripe, appeared
upon the scene, and changed the plan of anti
! slavery tactics by denouncing the South and
| advocating the immediate and unconditional
dissolution of the Union. Every one will re-
| member what storm of indignation was raised
| throughout the North when this Infamous and
most reasonable doctrine was first promul-
| gated, and for several years after. Even in
New England it was not safe for such men as
Garrison, Philips Pillsbury and Foster to
whisper what is now proclaimed from the
housetops all over the North and West. In
New York the abolition orators were frequent
ly prevented from speaking at all.
This state of things they turned to account,
and by making themselves out martyrs to the
cause, they secured increased contributions
from the faithful, at home and abroad The
understanding was that they were willing to
suffer provided they were paid for it, and well
paid they were.
So far we had only the philanthropic aboli-
tionists in their tea parties and sewing circles,
and the blood, fire, murder and disunion fana-
ticsupon the rostrum. But the infection soon
spread to the church, and the topic of slavery
wasseized upon by some of the new school sen.
sation preachers, whose idea of preaching
Christ and Him crucifed consists in maxine
the largest possible amount Of money in pew
premiums. The cross they bear is stamped
with the Mint mark. They are martyrs who
are well known in Wall street. To prove this
we have only to refer to the case of Theodore
Parker, who exchanged five hundred dollars
yearly salary for five thousand, or the Beech
ers, father and son, who have made fortunes
out of the wees of the black man. Cheeyer.
they say, has not done so well, but with his
British remittances may yet come out hand
somely with brown stone front and country
seat. To have divided the churches North and
South, to have stirred up insurrection, to have
urged on such men as Old Brown to murder
and treason, to have melted rebellion and
stirred up malice, hatred, envy and all I'm
charitableuess, are small matters with these
false prophets compared with the filthy lucre
which their sensation sermons bring in.
The next step in abolitionism was the poison
! ing Of the light literature Of the North. The
antislavery novels Of Mrs. Beecher Stowe were
exceedingly profitable pecuniarily, and nearly
all the New England writer's Immediately set
themselves at work to-iuitatn- aJIaele Ts,ri,-
| Cabin" and "Dred.' The books are poor
.ncpgh in a literary point of view, but they