New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-19
LYDIA MARIA CHILD'S REPLY TO GOV.
WISE.

In yoar civil but very diplomatic reply 10 my letter
you inform NE that have constitutional right to visit
Virginia for peaceful purposes, in common with every
citizen of the United States. I was perfectly well
aware that such the theory Of constitutional obi
cation in the Slave States; but was Also aware o
what YOU omit mention viz: that the Constitution
has in reality been completely and systematically
nuifed whenever il suited the convenience or the
policy Of the Slave Power. Your constitutional obi
CATION, for which you profess so much respect has
never proved any protection to citizens OF the Free
States who happened TO have a black, brown or yell
low complexion; nor to any white citizen whom you
even suspected of entertaining opinions opposite to
your own on question of vast importance 20 the tenn
poral welfare and moral example of our common
country This total disregard OF constitutional obliga
ton has been mani eed not merely by the Lynch law
of nobs in the Slave States, but by the deliberate
action of magistrates and Legislators. What regard
WAS paid TO constitutional obligation in South Carolina
when Massachusetts, sent the Hon. DIR. Hoar there
an envoy, on a purely legal GRAND MIR. Hednck,
Pro lessor of Political Economy in the University OF
North Carolina had constitutional right TO reside in
that State What regard paid 20 that right when
he vas driven from his home, merely for declaring
that be considered Slavery an mpolliic system, mdr-
ua 10 tie posrerity Of States What respect for con-
stitutional rights was manifested by Alabama when
bookseller in Mobile compelled to hee for his hie
because he bad at the special request OF some OF the
citizens imported few copies OF "a novel that every
body was curious to read 1eur own citizen, Mr.
Underwood had a constitutional right to live in Nir-
pinn and vote for whomsoevor he pleased what re-
gard was paid his rgbts when he was driven from
your State for declaring himself in favor OF the election
of Fremont With these, and q multitude OF other
examples before your eyes, II would seem as II the
less that was said about respect for constitutional obi
paton at the South the better. Slavery Is IN fact an
infringement of all law, and adheres 20 no law save
for its own purposes of oppression.
lurs oh
{" knives of butchery for the mothers, sisters,
" daughters, ana babes OF Virginia; and you INFORM
me of the well-known fact that nc IL arragned Tor
" the crimes Of murder, robbery, and treason. WIN
not here stop to explain why believe that old hero
to be no criminal but martyr TO principles which ne
sought TO advance by methods sanctioned by bls own
religious views, though not by mine. Allowing
that Capt. Brown did attempt scheme IN which
murder, robbery and treason were, TO his own con-
sciousness involved do not see how Gov. Wise can
consistently aragn him for crimes he has himself COM
mended IOu have threatened to trample on the Con-
sttuton, and break the Union, Il majority OF the
legal voters in these Coniederated States dared to elect
President unfayorable to the extension OF Slavery
Is not such declaration proof OF premeditated
treason In the Spring Of 1872, You made speech IN
Congress, from which copy the following:
"Once set before the people OF the Great Valley
the conquest of the rich Mexican Provinces, and you
might well attempt 20 stop the wind. Tins Gov
eminent might send its troops, but they would run
over them like herd of Buffalo. Let the work once
begin and do not know that this House would hold
me very long Give me five millions of dollars, ard
would undertake to do il myself. Although | do not
know how to set single squadron IN the held, could
find men 10 do H. Slavery should pour itself abroad
without restraint and find no limit but the Southern
Ocean. The Camanches should no longer hold the
richest mines of Mexico. Every golden image winch
had received the PROCLAMATION OF false worship should
room be melted down into good American eagles.
would cause az much gold to cross the Rio del Norte
the mules of Mexico could carry; aye, and l would
make better Of it, too, than any lazy, bgoed priest
hood under heaven"
When YOU thus boas,ed that you and your booted
oafers would overrun the troops Of the United States
Like herd of buffalo" il the Government sent them
TO arrest your invasion Of neighb0ring nation, at
peace with the United States did you not pledge your
self 70 commit treason Was il not by the murder Of
unetending Mexicans that you expected to advance
those schemes Of avarice and ambition What human
ty had you for Mexican at mothers and babes whom
you proposed TO make childless and fatherless And
for what purpose was this wholesale massacre 70 take
place Not 70 right the wrongs OF any oppressed
class not 10 sustain any great principles of justice or
oil freedom: but merely TO enable Slavery 10 pour
" itself forth without restraint"
Even if Captain Brown were az bad a. you pant
him. should suppose he must naturally remind you Of
tie words OF Macbeth:
awe bu. teach
Bloody Instructions, which, being Taught, return
To plague the inventor This eTen-handed justice
Comments the ingredients Of our poisoned chaiico
To oCr own lips"
II Captain Brown intended, as you say, to commit
that be could find ample authority for such proceedings
in the public declarations Gov Wise. And il, as he
himself declares he merely intended to free the OPP
pressed, where could he read more for@6le Lesson
than Is furnished BY the State Seal of Virginia!
looked at il thoughtuly before opened your letter;
aud though i had always appeared 10 very sugges-
tive il never seemed to much 50 as i. now did IN
connection with Captain John Brown. lberty-loy-
ing hero stands with his foot upon PROSTATE despoti
under his strong arm manacles and chains lie brokers'
and the motto Il " SIC SempeT IyrGHns - Thus be
it ever done to Tyrants." And this is the blazon OF
State whose most profitable business is the internal
Slaye-ITade In whose highways cofies OF human
cha;;els chained and manacled are frequently seen
Ard the Seal and the Cotes are both looked upon by
other chaties constantly exposed 10 the same fate
What if some Vezey. or Nat Turner, should be grow
ing Up among those apparently quiet spectators u
is in no spirit Of taunt Of exultation that ask this
question never think Of IL but with anxiety, sad
ness, and sympathy. / know that slayeholding
community necessarily lives in the midst OF glnpow-
der and ID this age sparks Of free thought flying
in every direction. You cannot quench the tires OF
free thought and human sympathy by any process OF
cunning or force; but there is 4 method by which you
can eaectuslly wet the gunpowder. England nas al
ready tired IT, with safety and success. Would that
you could BE- persuaded to aside the Preudces Of
education, and candidy examine the actual working
of that experiment Virginia II 80 richly endowed by
nature that Free Institutions alone are wanting to rem
der her the most and powerful of the States.
In your letter you suggest that such scheme AZ
Cartain Browns IL the natural result of the opinions
with which sympafhize. Even If thought this 10
be correct statement, though should deeply regret
II. could not draw the conclusion that humanity
ought 10 be tded aad truth struck dumb for fear thar
successful desposm might be endangered by their
utteranoe. But the fact IL you mistake the source
Of that strange outbreak No abolition arguments or
denuncations, however earnestly, loudly or harshly
proclaimed would have produced that result. II was
the legitimate consequence Of the continual, ana con-
stsniy -inereasing aggressions Of the Slaye-Power
The Slave Slater their desperate efforts to sustain
tad and dangerous institution have eneroached more
and more upon the Liberties Of the Free States Our
irheren, love of law and order, and our sHpersttoos