Press enter after choosing selection

Anniversary Of The American And Foreign Anti-slavery Society

Anniversary Of The American And Foreign Anti-slavery Society image Anniversary Of The American And Foreign Anti-slavery Society image
Parent Issue
Day
2
Month
June
Year
1848
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Nkw York, May 10ih, 1848. This Society held ta Animal Meeting at ihe Tabernacle, yesterday, commencinjr at 3 o'doek, P. M. Of'former Anniversüiies of' this efficiënt anxiliary of the nntislavery effiirt, I cahnol speak, is this is rhe fiist I have ever atlended. 1 will siiy, howèver, tliitt t'iis lins heen every way checring, and exceedingly inlerfrtling and ent Kiisüisi u:. Arlhlir Tappan, the President of tlie Sdcieiy, cuiled llie meeting to order. After pniyer, Mr. l.ewis Tiippan read au outline f tlie rcloi-t nf ilie Execnt've Ctimmiuee, wliioh was lislenod to witli (.-lose Httention, and np)laudud routidiy by tlie large aiulience atlending. We retrret nol liavine room to insert the proceedinga of this Convention in full. We can only givea few of the excellent resolutiuna pnssed iliere at, an] short extracta f rom soine pflhe most prominent speeches. Resolved, Tlint we are g-atefnl to tlie God of the oppressed that tlie Anti Slavery canse has so greatlv advanced during ihe [)asl year, amid tim opposition of pnemiea, the apathy ot nominal fnends, and the willingness ot the majoritv of elcclors to sacrifice humunity and liberty on the altar of policy. Resolved, That as great reforms, on moral snlijects, do n.it occur except ander the influenco of religious piinciples - that as " the church is an organization to put down all moral evii, either within lier own body or uut (if it," and as " there is no power out of the Church i luit could sustain Slavery an hour, it' it were not sustained by it," a solemn respnnsibilily res'snpon every disciple of' Christ to employ his resources f'or the exterminalion of this haU-ful crime against man, and this odious sm a.fíinidt (tíxI. Resolved, That we contémplate with ildiglit tlie progrpgs óf emancipation in the coloniesof Sweden, Denmark and Franee, in Labore, Peni nnd New Granada, and earneslly lpe that tlie last spot on eartli where slavery, exisis will not he tlie repulilic tliut was first lo )rocliiim the eqnality of' man, and liis inalienaWe title to " life, liberty nl the purtuit of happincss." llesnlvcd. That tlie rnanly condnet of Hou. John P. Hule n tlie Sennte of the United Stales, and of Messrs. (jiddings, Piiliicy and 'Puck tu tlie House of' Rt-presfiitatives. entitle thütn to the respect and grntiludeof all wbo ti-nly adopt tlie great repiibhcan wateh word, " Liberty - Eqnalitv - 1'riiterniry ;" - and that this respect and gralitudeihoulJ also lie awarded to all who have stood up ft-srlfMly in Congressor in Suite Legivluturus fur the iirhts ol innti. Resol red, Tliat we highly approve of the principien of tlie l.iSerty Party, and the nom uialion of Messrs. Hule and King lor the two liiy lii-st f.ffices in the gift of tlie people, and hope that every elector wlio is o])iosed to sla verv ni' ils extensión - to war and its ïtrocilies - and who desires to reacue ihe country from the reproach u rider wliich it lies in view of' oflicr nations - will bc true to hisavowed principies, and cordial ly unite in giving his snffiages for men who prefer principies to party .nul the honor of tlie naiinii to its sucness iti nrina. Resolced, Tlial we renuw our piedles to tlie friends of emanfipation.and to slavetraders and slavelioldcrs tliroughoul tlie World, that we' will not desist Irom opposition to slavery nntil ïhe accuraed svstetn is overthrown, and hlertv proclainied " througliout the land to all inhiiljilants thereof." Mr. H. B. Slanton, formerly Secretnry of the Society, was ihen ntroduced to tlie auciibiicü, a ín J miounced ihat lie sliotild spcnd liis ullotted halt' liour in ípeaking of' tln; VVilmoi Proviíi. lt was 'ime, lie sr.d, for tlie American pnople lo ii nd i-isiaiici iliis question, ;ind tu inuke ui their ininds ua tu their uwn nclion upoii ii ; nr lie lielieved tliai in tliri-e weeks Iriiii) til it time u dehhenile sclieine woald be f'onned 10 ind le llie pcople of' tliis Union - and llie (rienda oí' the Proviso in particular - out ol' tlieir votes in November, at the Presidentidl election. 'f he question lie said, aliout t!ie acquisilion of'new territory, was nol delateal)le : we have already got it ; liut tlie questiou now at issue is us to tlie existence ot' slavery williin tliat 116 W leiritory. iMr. S. lie re proceeded tu ex plaiu tliat tlie Wilmot Proviso expressiy proliiliits llie existence of tliat iiulitiiiiou llierein, urnJ to deflnd at lengili its juslice and good policy. jk rife Jb " Mí Jk M The speaker subsequently proeeeded to argne tliat, uiiül tlio Umied Mates, establishod a nuv sy stern of laws over iiew Moxico and California, the lawa now oxisling the rein must lio regurded is sujrernu ; nnd, lience, as those laws do ind vi!l not recogliize thu existence ofiluvery, we have no nglit whatever to es lablisli llmt institu ion therein under existing cii'cumstances. Mr. tí. developed his politlón on ihis point at sume furthor length, and closed his remarks wnli i spuited deience of the princiulua of llio Proviso. Mr, í". was followed hy Muns. Vionese, a Miuioh advocate, vvlio spuke warmly in favor if the ulioluioii of slavery. The suljslance ot' lis reraarka was ur argument ihat tuC liisiituiou of slavery is iigainst. the Iuw3 of' imturc and of ciyilizution. In tho course of lus rtnarks lie mude iliis duclaratiun : "To dostroy slavory is to save the (Juite.l State!"(a)plaue) Mr. V has just r:ived n this country, ind iiteinls rnakiiig a tuur througli llic repulilic, lo stüdy m nstilulion. lie is f'resli f'i-oni tliü Prench Kevoliitioii, and is luinmte with several rm-inliers of tlie Provisional linvernment. He lias all the üiithiisiasm ol'the Freftch clüir actor, and does not f'iil tu sue the jliiiiiig in consiítency betwéVB truo rpubiicanini and slavurv. Thu President intrndiiced Hnn. Jülin P. Hule, one of the SenUors frolfl New Hampsliire, and lio took tlie stand amidst llie rnost entluisiastiu applause. Mr, Hale, in his personal auiwwance, the fino developemeni of his pbysical pmporiions, manly hearing, planting umi iinpressive mode ofaddress, uitli tlioOé lie lliruvv uto liia inoveinenls, words and do ingi and the earnatnea of liia purposo, luis on first siglii, raised liiin in our cslimation, and bul confirmad our pceviou eunvia'ioii ihat ht M the man. fur the hour, and tliat tlie Ijiberty arty acled wisuly in Mtlecling hlIU as its Presdential ctiilidate. He is a noble specimen ot' n man, in tlie prime of liis years, and n vxiir of manhiHMJ, nnd wiih intud ;in l soul in liarniciny willi th denian.ls of humanity, and ulive to the calis if p iti-imism. M.iny of onr readnrs, we are happy to say, w i 1 1 have the pleasure diiiin the coming season of lUtening to his L'inqntMit tungae, and gazing upon thu tíenaior who darus, in hi place in tha Señalo, to slin.l single and alone, and bnve the fury ol the slave power. Mr. Hile spnke but abont twenty minutes ; his remar!; but kindled the previous enthusiasm of tho meeling and was interrupted wiih deep and piost hoarty ap plaue. The Express, (wlmse report I pulyoiii) hss done iisclf miich credit, ly tlie accurucy viteli wliicli it lias giren Mr. Iliilf'n Jprh. I linvo been so inuch arcustnniod to addrces nu audiciice so little synipalhizing views ir ■oma time pust, ibxt j'iur kimlness 8 ns (.vcicrming n9 it. is stmnge ; but. I big yon to repten nny furrher iiimiifustjit ons of t, at Imt 1 mn phont to y, ir least tor present. There is lm (Ihi (.'''" lhoognt tluit 1 shidi teil flattiiuno tfuilis. No! 1 ki ow ui na bright picture to cxliibit lp y no ; I know of notbing but the i-tern roiility of t.vtli - rud tlint reiility full ot' decp niu) dnmning disgruce. 1 wns soniiwhiit niiiiizcd, shoit lime :;i, ti i oiie of the concerta of tlm Hutcliinsoi e, ut fülluwing the poor wninierer in one of their son;s, n eeinch of ' D wn East." (Liuighter.) The f. llow cnme hcio to New York, thinking he had fouml itnt last; lm t no ! [It! soon foiind he wiis wion aod pocted uff to Boston with tho Sflf sume intciit. but witn tho hke waiitofsuccess; iind.on proceeding Iroin thenco tti Portland and Raiigur, he foiind thnt he was lill as off Bi ever trom "Awiiy Down Kast!" - (Luufjhtei-.) Such would in like nianner bo the fute ot'liliy anxiiius iiulividuid who sliuull set out in search of the Ameiiciin oovek.nmknt. " Uli, no !" n hundied vu'w.ea will sny ; " go right on to Wnsliington, you'll find it there! ] tel! yon no! Washington is tho veiy last corner in tlie Union I would look ia to find the American govermnent. Just Ihink of it a moiiient. Ho, white you are there, to the White House, nnd ita occipan! will teil you thnt tho first and last ailicle of his politicul creed is to learn, in the (irst place the will of his constiments, and in the next place, to do t ! tío thenro to the Department3, and you will there be told by those at their liead that tbey are the servants of the people - that they are nrt the governmpnt. Go trom the Departinents to Congnss. and you will be met with the samo nnswrr ; search anywhere you likf tbr our govermnent, nnd I teil yon he will not fiud it! Whcie is it, ihrp ? Where il this much talked ot' power - this American uovernment 1 - Have you ever seen it! Have you ever spoken to it ? My friends, there is some truth iinplied in the Stuwer to these questinns 1 sny to the ïndivirtUhI who wants to find uut tlip governmenf whoso right liand is red with the binoil ot' war. and whoso i'ioiit is stained witli the tbul hlot üf - I rny I would ask tliis man tu go apart trom bit feüows, and in the privacy of 1] is own room look vrithin his mirror, and he would tliere beholdone man respon ule ! (Applause.) Thnt is tlietruth tbat we Unü home to you. You taU of your " govi-rnment," and you think you menu something - jtist as if, when a poopte makt) thoir own lawstindgovi rninrnt, we should iay tlie resporisióihty in auv other jurter! 11 this docirinc is correct, I think jou will iign e with me tlmt we need not go to Washington to look for our " governinetrt." No ! 1 t II you it is you who aie the goveniment, and it you are in need ot' a n t'orin, eoovert yourselves nnd you will then elect a conveited uverinnAqt and n convertod Conpress ! It is perl'ectly idle lor you, who aio the ï-epponsible authors of all tlmt your representativos are doiri;;. to coinplain uliout your - You talk about '(iur wantitig fnen ot' firmuesa nt Washington, iti your Representativcs' Hall - nnd paiticnlarly from the Noitli. You say tlmt jou have a great innny doughlaced rrpresentalives. - Well, so you have ! And why ? iiecause youi repi'eseutntives have n more doughfac.d constiliu ncy at home ! (Applause.) Lit ibe people tlicinselves stand lip, and ihere will be no difficultv about the matter. Look back to the bi story üf N. York, I do not mean the historv of New Hampshire, for I iim here in New York ; whoteas, it' I were in mv own State, I should speiik of jts historv to ils ci!izens; but to recur : look back, I say, to your hiitory of New u;k, and IpII me when you bnvt liad a represfpttive who would bow so lov as to looso casie at home.' 1 believo you liever had one. - Well ! There was mi uld saying iünong tl:e mans thilt the soldier sliouli lv more afnud ol the face ot' his General than of the 5es of the encinj'. Perbitpayou ny gntlier sorao hmt from this shvi: g, and liiid out the propriely of ilinUing your i-presenlatives afraid ut you ! Befure General ci;tt set out fbr Mexico he ns n good dral worrifd itliut ii ceitüia "fireintiie rem-." (Laoghter.) Nw tlmt is just whnt yon want fbr your n picsmtiitivcs. (Appliiuse.) Vim vi:il true mo:i fbr y(nir icpreieiitiitives at Wiishiilgton ; and f ihey should lihppen to lit nnd break micI fall bick - whv then there is iliis lii in the renr to mout thfm ! " Tlii is the place and this is the way to do if. Suppège thunli you du select a CUflvei'tod CongTOM - what thfii Í Wlij', l'd mt er hcar ut" the coaversinu of one Baptist, church in New Uiimpshire t-htin of a whule üungreos, tbr 1 know rbat thut is Ihv rigilt place ; it is the mustera wlio hiive aeed of conversioii, and not invsponsible sèrniHts. But I leur I ani wearying jou hy my ïemaiks on fhis point. - (Cries ui' in. !" no !' go on !") It is h subject l must üdd, tliat ought to be pluiuly bi-oulit humo to ever; one in the coinmuiiity, tbr it is nhove all otliersan individual inattor. Áml bow one wórd abuut Hgitution. It is ii n old tiuth, iliat-in onr Üeclaraliuii of I ndepindence tlmt all inon ore crented fieo and equal;" but it lies s dead as tlie pnrehment un which 't was written. Jt is an old tmth, I said ; and yrt wliat need is theie of new ones? Let us woik out the old unes - renew them, nnd to niake them activa in the hearts of the pcopie. But to this subject of ngitation - u grent ny men ne niiaicl of it T hey will co.ne to you and sny, " it is all vei-y well, but üm'l ngitiita .""' na 1'agitHtiun werè the bnne of civil and social and political lito ! Js it so ? In the Sennte the othor dny. Mr. Calhoun snid no, tittel that nntions are more npt to die of cold ind torpot tlimi of the fever of agitation. And so is it in own human organization. The baart is always beating, nd ihe moment msütions cense, dt-iith ensues. Sn is it uil over the woild. Whcn iigitiilion censos, it is foliowad by sbignntiou, pntretactioii, denth; but rontirme the RgilHtion und yuu lotaiii lifeand heiilthand Btreujth imd vigor. And eiha)s I inay luie be permilt'ed to bonow an illustiation fiom the book of Omniscienco : we read tlüit trw pool of SUonin, which Inv neiir the gat of hv templo ciilled ljenutiful, possessed iio viitue uutil rhe augc-1 of (Jod chiiiü down and slined it. And may it uot be so now .' iMy it BOt be now that the dull and slui-gish ciirrenl of hniniui ali'airs in-, ds a sturing n) ? I teil rou we want more iigiiation at the Norlli. Krom the fcentite debates you have doubtless learned, i f you reftd them, that tlicre aio enough of theni at the South. (Some meirimoijt.) 1 say we need of moro agitatii.ii ut the Noith. so that your ii'pr.sentatives it Washington may have somethiiig to tall back upm ii t humt ! [Heie Mr. Hule mino ncsd thnt hr must hring lis ïi'iiiiiika tu a clos.-; but the nudieiice replied vitii crie of go op !" But I mi nnd.-ra ptomse, Í iissui-e you, nul to rmike n long.r speech hor, iml t mi only by coaxiii" tlmt 1 was nduced to ipcuk at all ; s uow. if 1 break tay premia, 1 ahill lave lo tril ii lie!" (Langhtèr.) ilr. Hiu. nitor tliia. continued but u little wliilo longer. as follows:] 1 du nut wisli to say anylliin to you about national iffmr, tir about the war. 1 havo airead; tpoken on Uiuse mbjoctt in faü.aad elsewhero ; and I have only toadd liere that everytüiug I Uuvessid is Imt l'aint and t'seble oompared to my owu feeliug in rclalinii to tlio6o siilijLxts. I believe that tlie ]ii"o of onr history on whicli they are moutioued is burdeaed witli infiíniy ; ,iud no cbange wlmtever sliall tliis mv belief andergo, nutil that Catastropfae overtaKes ine witli wliicli I ain lljrc.itened. Aud uow, wliat is oor aiiil yonr individual dnty ï Hovv do we uow stand at tliis preieut day T VVliilu tlie Spirit of Liberty Usuuudinxuia trnmpet, auJ tlie slaves of iigf me burstiag iheir cliains, nnd shoutd are g.jing ap fioni tlie eurtli to the tlirone nf Eleruity - our slumts go ap miugled wiüi ilio olauk of uhaiua, and the thrieju ol'tlia viciims of a war tir the extensión of sluveiy ! (l'r.ilo.iyed appbuue.) Tli.it ia tlia pisiiiin of our mttiuu to d ly. No m.iu can gakuay t. 1 k.iow yoa have in's::iab!c pull L-.aus liere at tlio Nin-tli Imt tliey ilurt) uut ile.jy it ! G. lo Washington, to youi' soat of jjoverum ;.it,"aud nut mie persan tliero will d ire t(i deuy it. Q i to yoor So.iate aiiil tliey will iot deny it. Ni ! tlieir answers may bdobtcureatfivg, batlruea IVmn parapUrue and itriuped of all vut'biHgc, üiey will still uot de.iy it. Ttiera is uut ouu iutellueut in ui. in li.ie, wli i dius not kuo tv it tu bo truk. ït is uot too miiuli to say that if the Bagan from tbs hand of Bteruity wero ent to write it down tor our eyus, tho trutli wuuld not be any plaiuor tlian now! It would seem. at this present time, asifthe lnsl offrveduiu weru rining ; it seeins rs if the Augol of Liberty were imrshulliiig her forcea uil over the auiverse, 1 but whro w UI rol' br in this. tho groateft ppitMl bv fer llinl over nalíon wsro nvited tot Wilt fon ha wherc your fatliers wero, baltüng fur lihcrtyf or wil] yon hcshate and fulter, Ciffew yon limld - stut TuDr pautt f (Laugïiter.) Ï liopenot, T Trust not niy friendo. I nppml to every one nmong yon, mnn. vnm;in, mul cii!1(l,o1d nnd ytinng - I clargoyoa most eamestly and afTíOtionaroly - aml pnvticularly tlie diioiplei of tlip l'rince of I'enco - TBICHOROH - to np. nrnnso. and eee to it lint von purgo aw;iy lbo teaveo of oppreasian - see t" it thnt your gnnnaDtijlte not staiiied witfa tin man sinvrrv. When tbati done, your Work i done. Tf the freo ohureh in froe itatea will t ikfther stand, tile contrst is huif over. Hut it gnot forsuchpolitioin 8s I nm to sp.;ik of tliia mntter; Imtit is not so now. - I-i tliis citv of churcliea. íliere is B weeklv haptism of tbil sin. While so, it is hilo and tualCM nul hnpcli-ss to drive out slnverv fram tlie state, mrrcly to fnul a sure hoavon ofrefoge iu tlie KlUCttmry nfilie churrli. Mr. H.ile. iii tli; si pnini' ceatimed liissoat. After somo more nmsic from llio Luca cliililren, tlie aascmMy ndJourned to breakfiut next moruing, at tlie Coliseum, whera Downiog it was nnnouurod, wou'.d liavo a s.ore cfgooil tilinga ' fbr&II corners."