New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-12

are too small even for such colleges. iufellectua
activity, when directed to public affairs. and
stimulated by an awakened pubic conscience, al
way. has brought. aud always will bring, GER
tain degree of social excitement. 1t was so in The
early days Of Christianity. 1t was 30 in the
DAYS of the Reformation. 1t was so in the
English Commonwealth. 1t was 80 in tho time
of the American Revolution, aud Of the French
Revolution. But what philosophical writer Of
modern times, and Of even moderate ability,
fills to charge the excuses of revolutionary
periods upon these real though never 30 distant
causesi NJ. De Tocquevilr. bimself meuiber
of one of the oldest and noblest French fami'
lies, does not hesitate explicitly to ascrlbe
the borror. Of the Revolution to the crimes OF
The French noblrssc. Upon the some pr'n;pe'
admitting that the Auti-Savery agitation has
been Of an ludeiensibly licentious character, II
must be evident to every clear and honest
tinker that the faults OF the advocate do mol
necessarily alter tho character OF tho crime
which stimulates him ~ a viDdIcatlon OF truth
and Justice; but, on tho contrary, that por-
ton Of his passion may fairly be carried to the
account of the very enormity which 10 ID a.
lacking aud TO- that honorable irllity OF human
nature which refuses 10 handle with equa-
nln.ily whatever il cruel and dishoncrGble aud
unjust A clergyman may Lore his temper III
oepounciug basplemy, but that fact dUes not
make b!asrhcmy q virtue. The writer's in the
newspapers may sonnet ines have spoken with
unchristian severity Of slayeholdiDg. but that
did not at all increase or diminish either the
moral crime or the economical folly OF suel
slayehoding. On the contrary, unless We
think very mesnIy Of human Dature, aud are,
therefore, prepared to give up all liberal poili-
cal institutions, we are bound TO view win
suspicion any institution which stimulates men,
Otherwise Of unquestoDahe moderation, TO u
GENEROUS though uugua ded protest. For e1-
ample: the two clerical gentlemen who sp'
reared n. Dartmouth College are both well
known 10 this ely, and III all tho churches OF
their denomination. not ns enthusiasts. not rs
iubatics, not as political adventures, but
rs men Of conservative natures, aud
devoted thoroughly to the specific work Of
their profession. How came they to be speak
ing 80 boldly Of Slavery in the very stronghold
of the Dartmouth theology Suppose what they
said was untimrly! What warped their judg-
mrnt What embi,tered their language J
What prompted them then and there u such
decided doctrine' 1t was tho impression which
after long years Of study and reflection. Slav-
cry has made upon them, MS OF something
mean, cowaroly. cruel, and intSpedient. II
Slavery be 30 lovely, why does 1t inil 10 cxer-
ci.c u soothing aud omieabe Influence Why
does 1t make the good indignant, aud the gen
erous half mad ut its contemplation These
are not sinful mcr--they are not atheists,
deists, scorners, scodcrs they afe of DIR.
Lords own calling anointed BY the same
chri.m and called to the same work! IL that
good which they hate 7 il that noble which
they detest 10 that orthodox which they rc-
pudatc is that Christian which they de-
bounce IL 40, then the human Intellect Is
but a mocker. and all human faith a snare
aud delusion
IL il possible that tie best part Of the Amer
lean mind, low thoroughly enlisted sgnins, the
slave system. may be utterly d,luded; but, II
80. We see no help for If. and # hostility 10
Slavery is 10 be- the ruin Of the lind, then the
land will be- ruined eiiectually for II would
not be IN the nature Of things that men should
90 backward, or that they should be brought
10 an extcnuation Of that system which has
cost them 30 much of bereavement, OF ak.
i.,y, and of actual, targiblo wealth. If We
could no. live peaceably together before this
war, how can we, If Slavery Is TO renaia for
ever ibe same great political power, live to-
gethcr after II 7 II tho institution cannot EXIT
without constant concessi0us-aDd il says that
It canuo,-wlth what temper will future de.
mands be received BY al injured and almost
Impoverished N"rth' Traitors have unquestlor
ably forfeited their blacks as they ha,. their
other property; and loyal sloyohc.,,cers who are
eyc-wiines'rs bf the @isery which the system
has Brought wifs it. will be ready to listen Il
propos'tions for its extinction. provided they
arc lot convinced by few Northern sham.
conservatives that it will be better, aud posi-.
bly, more constitutional, to hold fast BY it.
Under these circum,tances, it is the duty OF
every Northern man TO speak plainly and
boldly; aud We are much obliged to MessIs.
Thompson, Prentiss aud Curtis for having done
their duty On tho occasion above alluded ",