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Is Abolitionism Insurrectionary And Disorganizing?: For The ...

Is Abolitionism Insurrectionary And Disorganizing?: For The ... image
Parent Issue
Day
1
Month
May
Year
1843
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Mkssrs. Editors: - The charge is grnvely laid against Abolitionism, by its opponents that t is insurrectionary and disorganizing. If by these terms nothing more is meant than that Abolitioniám ainis ata reíbrmation of the public mind upon the subject of Slavery, nnd seeks to accomplish tlie abohtion of slavery,by moral suasion and poütical nction, the charge ia most freely ac'mitted. But if by the terms insurrectionary nnd disorganizing, be meant (as is doubtless the case) a doctrine and determination to break up existinjr ecclesiastical organizations, or to overthrow the Federal Government, or to set at defiance constituti onal regulations; the charge is fully denier1. Should your correspondent be allovved to speak for the party to which he belongs, he ivould sny, it is not a doctrine of abohtionism,nor fijn design of the Liberty Party to deatroy but to mend. They ere opposed to whalever is exolic to libery - to tlié happmess of indivicuals - to the peace and prosperify of nations. They look upon slavery as a monster of ghasfly oud forbidding fractures - an enemy to ilie Declaration of Independencc - and as aristocratie, in its principies and'lendencies utlerly opposed to the genius of free institutions, arepublican goveinment, or vvholesome and equitable laws. It is n senlimenl sometimes expressed by the Abolitioirsts, that upon a failure ofallother menns, a revolution with the design of expurging the evil, would be productive of less evil, than the hopeless oontinnance of slavery. Thnt i?, opposition andresistonce to wicked and oppressive lawj, would be justifiable. In this they have he example of the pntriots of the Revoution. Were our Revolulionary Fathcrs rigbt in the measures adopted, in resisting inrighlous laws? Wlio then would blame the elaves of the South, if they had the power, in throwing off ihe yoke of bondage - in asserting their hberty? It may be observed, however, that what would be right in extremity would be highly unadvisable underthe p eent constitution of things.In deepotic governments, where the people have no access to the law-mnking power, r.nd whcre grieveances are unheard and unredress ed, insurrection and revolution, might be justifiable. But in a government cmanating directly from the people, where the law-making power can be eíFectunlly reached, the case i lar different. Is public sentiment wrong? Abolitionism aeeks by moral suasion to cor reet it. Hns the general government lent ie sunction and support to slavery? Abolitionisn seeks, in a constitulional way, by politica, action to withdraw that support. Does slavery in all its influences threaten to overthrow our republican governmenl? Abolitionism seeks to prevent a caíastrophe êo fearful. ís the Declaration of Independence doctrinally opposcd to the conslitution? Abolitionism proposes, in the use of political franchise, to make them harmonize by having the constitution conform to the principies of eternal truth and equity. But itis urged that Aboliu'onismis nsurrce tiounry and disorgnnizing.becauseit sanclions the praciice of secreting and assisting run away slaves in llieir efforts for liberty. Query. By what law, whclher human or divine, is any manbound to deny the hand of relief to nn innocent man struggling for freedom? Il is true. it may set at defiance Soul hem avia and institutions, and tnwart the effortacfiho rnarauder in his unholy design upon the unfortunate slave. But who can pity and sympathize with the tyrant that his arm is shorn of itsslrengthin this respect? lf tho South liave legalized oppression and thereby set the ( laws of God at defiance, they necd not biame■f '■■'■■ - - us in the performance of our duly, though it may conflict with their supposed interest. Abolitionists propose lo effect their designs only by becoraing the majority. Will the opposerg of Abolitionism teil ua that it is insurreciionary and disorganizing for majoritiea to rule! It is not inaurrectionary when Southern men mob and gag those who open their mouths to plead for the oppressed! It is not disorganizing when by ils policy the South setks to bind the North to aid n a practica hateful in itself and' hateful to God - a practice which will sooner or later involve our nation in anarchy and ruin, unless abolished.- Lel the candid judge.

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Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News