Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-24

The London Tines publishes correspondence between
An .bolitiouist committee in Boston james RedPath,
Secretary" AID Lord BrOugham one OF the most EN-
Uttered and jealous Of the Exeter Hall school Of abe
Etopists. letter dated Nov. ., 1890 invited
Lord Broughsm TO attend public convention, to be
blI in BOSTON on December Sd there 70 address them
IN rsnv 10 the question so vital the interests and
the honor OF our country and the progress Of freedom
I'm the Norld-s How can American slavery be abolish
edgr The anniversary Of the death Of John Brown,
who on the second Of December, 1859, was killed for
semptpg 10 decide this problem in the mode that he
believed 10 be the most efficient is an occasion pecu-
,I approprae for the discussion Of duty 70 the
.ca for whom he suffered and more especially for the
Unfolding Of practical methods for achieving the holy
object he desired to attain BY his descent Harpers
Ferry Virginia" The Committee (who are earnestly
s;rous Of devotng themselves the work Of eradica
ting slavery in the United States, further ntmated to
Lord Brougham that he and others, who should attend
would be expected in his speeches and letters to con-
fine himself exclusively the great question Of the day
for il would be work Of supererogaton now to defend
yobD Brown. and useless waste Of time to eulOgise
him. Leaving both Of these duties to the coming ages
lstus seek to continue his life by striving accomplish
what he left US to finish
20 whom this nonsense is addressed, the reply throws
more cold water than was to be expected the fiery de-
yotop Of the John Brownies Lord Brougbam says to
these crazy fanatics;
Ibeeve that speak their sentiments, those OF the
Anti-slavery Of Europel as well as my own III eX-
pressing the widest difference Of opinion with you upon
he merits Of those who promoted the Harpers Ferry
sxpedition aud upon the fate Of those who suffered for
their conduct In It. No will doubt my earnest de
sire 10 see slavery exngushed but that desire can only
he pr.fed by lawful means-a strict regard TO the rights
Of nroDerty or what the law declares 70 be property,
and constant repugnance 70 the shedding OF blood No
man can be considered martyr unless he not only SUI
fer. but is witness the truth; and he does not bear
this testimony who seeks lawful object by illegal means.
ANY other course taken for the abolition OF slavery can
only DELAY the consummaton devOuty wish, be-
sides exposing the community 70 the hazard Of an usur-
recon perhaps less huru 10 the master than the slave
When the British emancipation finally CARED It was
ACCOMPLISHED by steps and FIVE years elapsed between
the commencement OF the measure 10 1900 anu is CV
pletiOn in ISIS.
.'Ths declaration Of the law which pronounceda slave
fe "a soon As he touched British ground ertoneCusy
s,crbed 10 the English courts under Lord Atnehed, but
really made b. the judges in Scoland) may seem 70 be
inconsistent with the principle now laid down. But
ava bound 10 express my doubts y such decision 0oUlt
Rars been given had luca tolebedUpoH tio coasts Of
fais c9n,rg II il certain that the judges did not n-
tend 70 declare that al property in slaves should Instant
liz cease aud vet such would have been the inevitable
effect ofheir udgmentiu the supposed, which some
what resembles that Of America
The correction Of the common mistake in reguart to
the desison Of Lord Mauefed and the hint to what
would have been declared aslaw if Jamaica had touched
upon the coast Of England are worth remembering by
those who have occasion Investigate or discuss the hs,o
ri, and irridi.al ssps,ts Of slavery.