Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-03-02
speal.er Pennlnrton and slarerr.
. Me Edltor of tie az Y. Tribune.

rptnAAtE A-ehMAUNNOm MUu HlMNcfya
To the EDITOR of the ~ Y. Tribune
SR: Twenty years ago, the friends Of
the negro held a Convention in London,
known as the Worlds Convention. Its
avowed purpose was TO promote the univer-
sal abolition Of slavery, and the slave-trade.
The venerable Thomas Clarkson, of world-
wide celebrity as the champion of freedom
and the enemy Of the slave-trade was Pres
ident of that Convention.
Among other measures adopted, they ad-
dressed circular letter to the Governors of
all the Southern States of the American
Union, setting forth the evils of Slavery
and the slave-trade; the common brother
hood of the race; the common provisions
for the redemption through the Lord Jesus
Christ; their convictions shat the only way
to put an end TO the slave.trade was 20
abolish Slavery; and they appealed to the
several Governors Of the Southern States
ITO employ all that influence and power
with which Divine Providence had ntrusted
them to secure immediate liberty to the
slave" 1t referred TO the recent abolition
of slavery in the West Indies, and its hap
py results; implored the Divine blessing on
their appeal, and expressed the hope that
all rulers and subjects, in all countries,
might receive and act upon the principles
of the Gospel, and the day be FASTENED
when violence might be no more heard
throughout the habitable earth. Signed,
Thomas Clarkson, President.
By request of those who had them in
charge, / forwarded these circulars under
my frank as a member of Congress, to all
the Southern Governors; to Governor Pen
nington, of New Jersey, among others
Most of these diguitaries affected to be ra-
ving mad; several of them wrote and pub
lished in the newspapers, violent, abusive,
grandiloquent letters, addressed to me in
answer to my frand. Three of them,
think, made it a matter of grave communi-
cation to their respective Legislatures in
their annual messages; Governors Bagley
and Polk declared that the circular was in
cendiary. and calculated to incite slaves to
insurrection As though a respectful pri-
vate circular sent by mail to Southern
Governor was to be received by negro
and slavel
To this circular Gov. Pennington returned
the following very civil and sensible answer
NEWARK N. j., July 80 1910.
"SR; acknowledge with great pleasure the recent Of
your communication in behalf of the Convention held in
London the 18th ut the subject of the aboIion
of slavery and the slave trade. Impressed am with
the Importance and truth of the principles views
therein expressed my earnest desire that this
may at the earliest day In her power consistent with
cury and the peace of the Union join hand hand with
the humane on the other side of the water in washing
| nj thR eft in nnnT harfN attAnal ,1,n
The means to be used proposed by Convention
are OF moral religious and pacific character" and 1t is
by these means alone, am satisfied that this great Oh
ect he attained New Jersey by an act passed the
oath of February 1910, has defined her policy BY that
act every child born of slave within the State since the
9Th Of july 1904 which shall thereafter be born
caed to be free but to remain in the character of an
prentice in the service of the MASTER IT male, until 25
years OF age, and female, until the age of 81 years
Under the operation Of this law slavery has become al
most extinct with and happy to say that
the most mtigatcd and indulgent form.
Thanking you for your kindness in communicating the
proceedings OF the Convention, remain your very obed
ent servant WM. PENNINGTON,
Gov. Of New Jersey"
Polk, Bagley, Mcdonald, and Wickliff
four of those who treated Thomas Clark
sons circular with such chivalric contempt
have gone, with him, to their final account
Notwithstanding reward of $500 was Of
fered for my head in Savannah for my in.
science in sending this circular to their Gov.
ernor, | have lived to see the only man who
gave that very harmless letter civil an
swer, and who seemed to sympathize with
its general sentiments, presiding over the
deliberations of the American House OF
Representatives. l hope to live to see the
then Governor Of New York, who had about
the same time, so thoroughly used up the
chivalry of some four or five Virginia Gov
ernors in controversy pertaining to the
same "irrepressble conflict" presiding Que,
the destinies Of the Republic.
Warsaw, N. Y. S. M. GATES.
Tho EIacfRnn NJ E1rTuta. uouuIo.