New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-01-29
Lora nroa.glsslaa q .l.e BOSTON Aholltlonlats.

II will Ne remembered that some time ago ths
| Boston Abolitionists asked Gev Packer, of Penn
sylvana, to meet them in convention to comnlemo
rate the hanging of John Brown, etc. The Gov
ernor replied that John Brown was justly hanged
and warned them TO beware Of similar fate. i
seems that they extended the same invitation tc
1 lord frougham, as will be seen by tae following
correspondence, which we clip from q late number
of the Liverpool Posts
Mg Lord-A number of young reen unconnected
at this time with any organization but earnestly
desirous of deyotiDg themselves to the work Of
eradcating slavery in the United States. respect
1 fully invite you to meet them in public conven
tion to be held In this city on Monday, the Sd Of
December next and there address them in reply tc
the question so vital to the interests and the honor
of our country, and the progress of freedom in the
world-"Hew can American slavery be abolished9
Ii seems to them that the anniversary of the
death of John Brown, who, on the I'd of December,
1853, was killed for attempting to decide this prob
lem in the nlsde that he believed to be the most
efficient, is an occasion peculiarly appropriate for
the discussion of our duly to the race 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 on Harper's Ferry,
Virginia.
An invitation, therefore, will be extended to the
leaders end representatives of all the different anti
slavery bodies, and to various men of egninence
who have done honor to their own souls by advo-
eating the cause of impartial freedom.
Every one thus invited is expected in his speeches
or letters to 'confine himself exclusively to the
great question of the day, for it would be work
of sapererogation now to defend John Brown, and
useless waste of time to eulogize him. Leaving
both these duties to the coming ages, let US seek
to e6ninue his life by striving to accomplish what
he left us to finish.
An immediate or speedy answer will greatly
oblige, by enabling MS to make the necessary ar
rangements on q plan sufficiently extensive.
n .b. v
80 J II ssIGs iSE''R'fsfS RHSfATH Secretary.
Committee-C. W. Eldridge, w. D. 0'Connor, R.
Craigen, sella Martin, J. B. Smith, Herbert GIea-
son, John Oliver, Edwin Coombs, J. H. Stephen
son, Lewis Hayden, J.W. lie Barnes, J. H. Fowler,
A. B. Brown, Ad. Ackermann james Redpath.
e 70 Henry Lord BtonghSm @
BRouGHAsi, Nov. 20-Si,.-I feel honored by the
invitation to attend the Boston Convention, and to
give my opinion upon the question, How can
American slavery be abolished?n l consider the
application is made to me as conceiving me to rep
resent the ant-slavery body in this country and
believe that speak their sentiments as well as
my own in expressing the widest difference of
opinion with You upon the merits Of those who pro
NOTED the Harper's Ferry expedition, and upon the
fate of those who suffered for their conduct in it.
No one will doubt my earnest desire to see slavery
extingrshed; but that desire can only be gratifed
BY lawful means--a strict regard to the rights of
property, or what the law declares to be property,
and aconstant repugnance to the shedding of blood.
No man can be considered a martyr unless he not
only suffers, but is witness to 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 only delay the con
summation we SO devoutly wish, besides exposing
the community to the hazard of an nsurrection,
perhaps less hurtfu to the master than the slave.
When the British emancipation was finally carried
it was accomplished by steps, and FIVE years
elapsed between the commencement Of the mea
sure in 1888 and its completion in 1885,
The declaration of the law which pronounced a
slave free as soon as he touched British ground
{erroReously aseribed to the English courts under
Lord Mansfield, but really made by the judges in
Scotland) may seem to be inconsistent with the
principle now laid down. But am bound to ex-
press my doubts if such a decision would have
been given had Jamaica touched upon the coasts
of this country. It is certain that the judges did
not intend TO declare that all property III slaves
should instantly cease, and yet such would have
been the inevitable effect Of their Judgment in the
case supposed, which somewhat resembles that Of
America.
In the elevation of your new President, all friends
Of America, of its continued union, of the final ex
tinction Of slavery by peaceful means and of the
ntter immediate extinction of the execrable slave
friends OF the human race must heartily
rejoice. They will, let as hope, find in him pow
erfnl ally, as his country may expect TO find an
able, a consistent, and an honest ruler. IA
1have honor 10 be your faithful servant.