National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-11
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.
The Position Occupied by the AbolitionistS Be-
fore the War.
Communications from Correspondence
Holding Divers Views.
ABOUT THE "ABoLIrIoN1sTs."

To The Editor.
It matters not whether tho 1.-Two Veteran
Abolitonists" referred to in your issue Of tho
sixth repudiated that title before the war,
but certain il is that most anti-slavery people,
and all who wero truly national in their
views, did repudiate it then and do now.
The title Of "abolitionists" was claimed by
Garrison and his followers as distinctively
their own, and they were as pronounced dis
unionists as any in the south.
For long years they denounced the United
States constitution as league with hell"
and labored with untiring zeal to destroy it.
At meeting Of abolitionists in the Taber-
nacle, Now York, May d. 1s4s, on motion of
Wendell Phillips, the following resolution
was adopted:
Resolrtd, That this society rcterate its convic-
ton that the only exodus of the slave out of the
house of bondage is over the ruins Of the Ameri.
can church and of the American union.
THE church" hero stands for n noun of
multitude and includes not only every Pro-
tcstant Sect but the Catholics. Under the
constitution the church had no more power
over slavery than 1t has to-day over impOrta-
ton and manufacture of alcoholic liquors,
and prohibtionists might, with just as much
truth, charge upon the church all the evils
and crimes of intomperanCe because it does
not stop the importation and manufacture of
Intoxicating drinks.
How unwise as we'll as unjust their warfare
on tho church Is 1t any wonder that as a
party they never gained much foothold in the
nation?
The following resolution, passed by the
abolitionists in New York December, 1859, a
few months only before tho war; can hardly
BIO regarded otherwise than reasonable.
Whereas the dissolution of the present imper.
feet and ingloriOus union between the free and
n
slavery therefore,
Rtso'utd, That we invite n FREQ correspondence
with the disunionists of the south in order to de-
vie the most suitable ways aud means to secure
the continuation so devoutly to be wished
Hore extremes met. Tho abolitionists of
the north claspod hands with the slave
holders OF the south over the yawning and
bloody chasm of dsunion. The committee
referred to were wise in not publishing their
correspondence. The war came on. Some of
their contreres in the south got hurt and dis
cretion became the better part of Yalor.
| Their names | forbear to mention. The
election of Lincoln soon occurred, and, as he
was bound by the republican platform not to
interfere with slavery in the southern states,
| whore, by the United States constitution,
it legally existed the abolitionists for
| the most part refused to vote for
| him and opposed his election
as bitterly rs the south. But after he had
| abolished slavery and the victory was won,
| they were very ready to rush to tho front
and claim all the hOnors, enchanting, 1--WE
| did it," As historical fact slavery was
abolished by the union sentiment rather
| than the anti-slavery. 1t always was
| stronger sentiment in the nation, from the
day of President jackson down. In no
nation the sun shines upon is the feeling of
nationality SO intense or so universal. When,
in the days of notification. President jack
son declared, with an oath, "By the Eternal,
the union must and shall be preserved" he
touched the spinal cord Of the nation, and the
people carried him on their shoulders at the
next election. The nation would forgive
any crime, even slavery itself, sooner than
disloyalty. This Is the one objectionable
| sin they never forgive.
When the old federal party met in Hart
ford to consult on their grievances, although
| they concluded to do nothing, the nation sus-
| pected them Of disloyalty.
| The democrats charged them with "hatch-
| ing treason" and they rung the changes on
| the Hartford convention until they run every
man of them into the grave Now that same
democratic party have fallen into the same
| limbo, only worse. They have done some
| thing more than call Hartford convention
| they have done their level best to break up
the union and thus brought upon themselves
| the doom of the old federal party. In twenty
| years the nation has not forgiven them. viii
| they ever? So of the nullfiers-so of the
secessionist When tho latter bowed them
selves out of the United States senate, saying,
"You go your way in peace, we will ours.
All we ask is to be let alone" The nation
responded with emphasis: We shall not let
you alone. You are rebels and shall meet tho
| doom of traitors" When the war broke out
hardly breath was heard about slavery.
The universal cry was, Down with the dis
unionistsw death to the traitorsw This
was the inspiring cry of the army and the
nation, and was the paramount sentiment
that abolished slavery. HIsToRICUs.
| MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, Feb. 3.