New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-09

right of petition in the House Oh representa-
tives, where, for twelve years, he grappled Win
the Slave Power, making not America only,
but the civilized world, resound with the clash
of the conflict. Doubtless posterlty VIII re-
gard this as the most honorable and brilliant
chapter in the long and cventiul life OF this
extraordinary man. The service nc rendered
to the cause of Freedom during these years
was Of incalculable value. The exalted po-
sitions he had held, his multiarious learning
his worldwide renown, lent luster to the cause
while his exhaustless resources, his skill IN de-
bate, his dauntless courage and iDdomltaDic
will. were tower of strength to its friends,
and ncver-failing source Of modification and
discontinue to its foes.
The freedom of speech and Of debate, and
the right of petition, had hardly been secured
before the subject Of the annexation OF Texas
and the consequent enlargement OF the area oil
Slavery, arrested tho public attention. While
thousands of our best and. wsest men OF all
creeds and parties carly took alarm at this
attempt to commit the country to pollcy OF
aggression upon the rights OF foreign States IL
is due to truth to soy that the AbolitioDstS and
their immediate coadjators were the only classes
who resisted annexation upon purely anti
slavery grounds. This contest, opening in 1887,
continued with occasional lulls until the Pres!-
Dental campaign &C 1914, when it largely
mingled in the discussions Of the two parties
that divided the country, the conspirators
against National honor achieving triumph in
the election Of James X. Polk over Henry Clay.
1t was now eleven years since the American
Anti-Sayery Society was formed. During ms
period kindred societies had been organized in
every considerable town and village in the Free
States. whose members numbered scores ol
thousands. These associations had employed
hundreds of agents, who had traversed the
country delivering addresses in all the prncipai
centers of population. They had established
neyyspapcr, in all the Northern States, and had
circulated pamphlets and tracts by Lc million.
Not only had they pctitioned Congress, but they
had besiegcd the Legislatures OF the Free States,
demanding that they themselves memorlallze
Congress in behalf Of Emancipation, and pro-
test against the abrdgmcnt Of the right OF de-
hate and petition. and the annexation Of Texas
to the Union. Vermont and Massachusetts, re-
sponded fayorably to their demands in 1851, and
other States subsequently copied their example,
till q, one period the Legislature OF every State
no, hopelessly bound in tie fet,ers of Pro-
slavery Democracy spoke words more or less
emphatic for The Stare and his cham
pions. The Aboltionists had also made
their uowor felt al the balloi-boN.
either by voting for the most acceptable
candidates of the Wing and Democratic parties,
or by bringing ont candidates of their own.
Their principle had Likewise made strong
l,dgincnt IN the leading religious denomina'
iions Of the country. Indeed. Il, the period Of
the Inauguration of Mr. Polk, and the consc'
qucnt contamination Of the Texas yillainy,
neither House Of Congress, no State Legislature,
no ccclc.ia-tical body, 10 educational Conycn-
ton, no benevolent society. 10 political assem-
nlagc. could meet without finding iiself
launched upou "a wide sea Of discussion concern
.ng slavery. The most superficial observer
could not fail 10 see. nor the most indlilcrcn,
spectator to feel, that the principle # the Adolf
l.olists, after passing through the ordeal Of
long years Of reproach aud persecution, had
taken fast hold upon The intellect and conscience
Of great masses OF the American people.
The annexation Of Teas was followed by the
Mexican war, which brought in its train large
acccssions Of territory. The whole nation was
uow compelled 10 stand face to face with the
long dreaded and much avoided subject Of
slavery. Congress and the country we've con-
yulscd. The creates. minds Of the time were
forced TO grapple with the agtatlng theme.
The discussion summoned TO the forum the
loflcs, Craftsmanship. 1t sent to the closet the
ripcst schola ship. II levied contributions upon
the eloq4cnoe, the learning, the genus Of the
senate, the Synod and the School, until all
ranks ard conditions Of men were involved in
the agitation.
After the advent Of the Wmo. Proyiso in
l-i7--, the Slavery agitation passed beyond
the pale o. the Abotionists. Yet, from that
important epoch onward till Secession reared
IL reasonable crest, not fundamental argu-
ment was employed against Slavery. nor vital
principle enuEclaicd, nor sound view Of the
Constitution exhibited, nor an important fac,
presented, nor a prime objection answered. nor
glowing appeal in behalf Of Liberty uttered,
which had not been previously employed, cnun-
ciatcd exhibited, presented, answered, and ut
tered by the Aboltionists SO true is this, tina,
to minds familiar with the Anti-Sayery litcra..
fnrc oil tho ern fhn ennnclns and nrnlnctinne Of