Abolition a Sedition Part 1

Abolition a Sedition.

by Geo. W. Donohue.

PREFACE.

We trust it will be obvious to all, that it was impossible to treat Abolitionism according to its merits, or to exhibit its true character, without regarding it as a RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT. There are two prominent features of the moral and religious history of our country, with which we have been compelled to come in contact. We, therefore, take this opportunity so far to explain, as to bar the accident of being misapprehended. First, then, we have averred the philosophical connexion of antecedent and consequence between _Abolitionism_ and _violent reforms_. It is proper, therefore, that we should state how much we are willing to be understood as meaning by this couplet of terms, having such a relation to the subject of this work. We say, then, that by _violent reforms_, we mean those religious and moral agitations of our country, which have proved alike unfriendly to religious and social order, which are generally disapproved by sober Christians, and we believe by the great majority of Christians, of all, or nearly all, denominations. It is possible, that on a single point we have hit hard a cherished opinion of many persons, for whom we have the greatest respect; but as it relates merely to a _mode_ of action, we must claim to be indulged in our own opinion in that matter, as we allow the same privilege to others.

In the next place, we have found it necessary, in the _exhibit_ we have made of the political machinery of the Abolition movement, to enquire into its origin; and it will be manifest to all, that it was brought from the religious world. The fact, that the model of the American Anti-slavery Society was borrowed from the Religious and Benevolent Society system, could not implicate those inst.i.tutions, in the estimation of the public, unless they should see fit to follow the same example, and so far as they might do it, by going over from the religious and moral, into the political sphere; which, we trust, they will be wise enough not to do. It was necessary to describe the machinery of those Societies in order to give the true picture of the one under particular consideration; but we have taken care at the same time to state, that the American Anti-slavery Society has betrayed and violated the principles of the Religious and Benevolent Society system, by first a.s.suming its model, and then pa.s.sing over into the field of political action. That all these machineries are well adapted to political ends, whenever they may be perverted and applied in that direction, it is unnecessary to say; and the only way to escape the charge, is to avoid the fault. The Abolition Society has gone openly into that field, on which account we have considered it fair and exactly true to represent it as a _political organization_, and as being necessarily such from the work it has taken in hand.

Having, therefore, explained on these two points, we submit the work, without farther comment, to speak for itself.

_January 1, 1839._

CHAPTER I.

THE CHARACTER OF THE ABOLITION ORGANIZATION.

There seems to have been a uniform impression among the great majority of the citizens of the United States, that the Abolition movement in this country is wrong, as it stands related to our political fabric; but the exact character and extent of this wrong have not been so well defined in the public mind, as to enable the people to see how a remedy can be applied to arrest and control the mischief that appears to be growing out of this agitation. Every reflecting person in the land sees and feels, that it threatens to break asunder the American Union; and few doubt, that such will be the result, if it is permitted to go on. We take for granted, that the almost unanimous voice of the whole country would concur in the opinion, that a violent dissolution of the American Republic would be the greatest calamity that could happen in this Western world. Can it be, then, that there is no Const.i.tutional power to suppress an organization, the rise and course of which tend so directly and so inevitably to the disruption and demolition of the Federal Government? Certainly, it would be a great and notable defect in the political structure of the United States, if there were to be found in it no principle of conservation against such a danger, and if the people of this country were compelled to see an enemy start up among themselves, and march directly to the overthrow of the Government, without any power to resist. Doubtless, in a last resort, the Union is too dear to the American people generally to allow it to be sacrificed without an attempt to maintain it, even if there should prove to be no provision in the Const.i.tution and laws. The necessity and importance of the case would create a law for the occasion. The people would feel, that they have a better right to defend the Union, than an enemy has to destroy it. But if the law of necessity be waited for, the scale of chances as to the final issue may have become doubtful--too doubtful and too portentous to be prudently staked on such a hazard; and the American Union might be lost forever.

If, however, it can be shown, that the Abolition movement is at war with the genius and letter of the National Const.i.tution and of the Const.i.tutions of the States respectively, and with that social compact which created the Union, and under which it has. .h.i.therto been maintained, then clearly there will be presented a Const.i.tutional basis on which this movement can be opposed, and by which, if it shall become necessary, it can be suppressed. We propose an attempt to establish the position, that such _is_ the character of this movement, and consequently, that there is a remedial power against its action in the Const.i.tution and laws of the land.

Before we proceed to an array of the law which applies to the case, it may be useful to inquire into the nature and character of the organization, under which the Abolition movement is carried on. As this machinery is so well known to the public, it will only be necessary to refer to such general facts as the Abolitionists themselves will not deny, however they may differ from us in the character and name ascribed to them as a whole.

We observe, then, that the American Anti-Slavery Society, under the authority and by the action of which, this movement is conducted, is a _grand and permanent political organization, self-elected, self-governed, independent, and irresponsible, having no connexion with the Government of the country, but yet usurping the appropriate business of that Government_.

It is an _organization_. This, certainly, will require no proof, as n.o.body will deny it. It is formed after the model of the Religious and Benevolent Society system, which has been in action for about thirty years past, and which, in the later parts of this period, has grown into considerable importance in the United States and in Great Britain. The social influence of this system has been much greater in this country than in the father land. But so long and so far as it was confined to religious and benevolent objects, the political authorities and feeling of the community seem to have taken little or no alarm. It was obvious, from experience and observation, that these organizations were armed with a wide spread, and many of them with an all pervading influence; and that they were admirably calculated to acquire power, and to bring to bear an efficient and energetic action on their specific objects. In their history and progress, as their exigencies have seemed to require, they have severally erected a sort of State machinery, with a Const.i.tution as a general basis of polity; with the customary law-making, executive and judicial powers; with princ.i.p.al and under secretaries; with a fiscal department; and with numerous subsidiary agencies, according to the nature and extent of their operations. Some of these inst.i.tutions are engaged in enterprises as wide as the globe, have numerous foreign establishments of no mean consideration, and foreign colonies have been erected and are governed by them. Nothing but a state machinery, with a corresponding polity, was adequate to the execution of such designs.

And while they were confined to religious and benevolent operations, they had not excited the jealousy of the political world; at least, so far as we know, not to any considerable extent.

And it may be remarked--as we shall have occasion hereafter to notice more particularly--that the Abolition movement, under its present organization, originated in religious sentiment, and commenced as a benevolent enterprise. It was natural, therefore, in view of the success which had attended these other inst.i.tutions, and of the great power and efficiency they had acquired over the public mind, to adopt the same model--the same sort of State machinery in the several departments of its organization. And thus, in the American Anti-Slavery Society, we have an independent and powerful Commonwealth, organized, like every other State, on the basis of a Const.i.tution declarative of its great and fundamental principles, with a head, with a cabinet, with its various State departments and secretaries, with a productive and regular system of fiscal operations, with a polity of its own, with a vast republic of subsidiary combinations, multiplying rapidly, and each constantly increasing in numbers and influence, acquiring talent, wealth, and power on a large scale, creating and sending forth upon the public a world of literature of its own chosen character, in the various forms of books, periodicals, journals, tracts, and pictorial representations; and able, on the principle of such an organization, while unresisted by any opposing power, to extend and wield an influence, which, sooner or later, will dissolve the Union, and send the Government of this proud Republic, in broken fragments, to the winds of heaven.

And it is a _political_ organization. It is true, indeed, that when Abolition first broke out in New York, in 1834, the most prominent leaders there disclaimed all partic.i.p.ation in political matters, as will appear from the following note, unless it is to be regarded as a _ruse de guerre_ for the occasion: "It has been our object to address the hearts and consciences of our fellow citizens, and to defend our principles by facts and arguments; to encourage the people of color to great circ.u.mspection of conduct and forbearance; _and to abstain from mingling the objects of our society with either of the political parties_."

Signed, "Arthur Tappan, John Rankin, E. Wright, jr., Joshua Leavitt, W. Goodell, Lewis Tappan, Samuel E. Cornish.

New York, July 16th, 1834."

The following _Circular_, from the Anti-slavery office in New York, issued for electioneering purposes, in the New York political campaign of 1838, would seem to show, that great advances have been made in regard to the political character of this society, since 1834:--

"Dear Sir,

"Enclosed you have a list of the publications of this society, to which you will please direct any of our _Whig_ friends, who may desire a knowledge of the _truth_. I am gratified that our Abolition friends are to be found on the _Whig side_, rather than the _Loco Focos_; for the cause of the country and of humanity ought to go together. _If we can_ RIVET _ourselves firmly on one of these parties, we can gain our object. Be careful._ I am yours, &c. per Arthur Tappan.

B. LE ROY."

New York, Nov. 1, 1838.

This _Circular_ was addressed to P. W. Wesley, jr., and marked No.

126. How many _more_ were sent out, of course we do not know--it might be _hundreds_, or it might be _thousands_.

It is no more than fair, however, to observe, that Mr. Arthur Tappan has disclaimed having authorized Mr. Le Roy the use of his name in this instance; which, indeed, is of very little consequence, and in no way affects the object we have in view by these references. Whether the gentlemen, who signed the note of July 16, 1834, were really so blind as not to see the _necessary_ connexion of their cause with politics, we cannot pretend to say. If they _did_ see it, their disclaimer, to say the least, was unbecoming. As men of common discernment, they _ought_ to have known as well then as now, that they could do nothing in this business, in the way they propose, without affecting the politics of the country; and that the movement _in toto_, from beginning to end, is political in its character and bearings. Certainly, since that time, the Abolitionists have better learned the position which they occupy. What shall we say? That their early disclaimer was a cloak to conceal their designs? We would rather suppose, that they did not know what they were about. Would, that we could say, they are equally ignorant now, that thereby they might be proved more innocent. Evidently, the disguise, if disguise it was, is thrown aside. By their own public avowals and acts, official and other, they are now fairly and openly in the political field. The following resolution was pa.s.sed at the Annual meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society, at New York, May, 1838: "_Resolved_, that we deprecate the organization of any Abolition political party; but that we recommend to Abolitionists throughout the country, to interrogate candidates for office, with reference to their opinions on subjects connected with the abolition of slavery; and to vote, irrespective of party, for those only who will advocate the principles of universal liberty."

Three of the Corresponding Secretaries of this Society, James G.

Birney, E. Wright, jr., and Henry B. Stanton, issued a circular from the office at New York, in July 1838, to Agents in the country, quoting the above resolution, and remarking, that "resolutions embodying the same idea have been pa.s.sed by the New England Anti-Slavery Convention, and we believe, by nearly all, if not all, the State Anti-Slavery Societies;" and that "they think the time has come, when the friends of the slave, throughout the free States, should act fully up to the letter and the spirit of these resolutions.

We hope, therefore, you will, without delay, confer with Abolitionists in your region on the subject, by correspondence, by holding meetings, and in such other ways as may be deemed expedient, and take prompt and efficient measures, _to secure the election of such candidates for the National and State Legislatures_, as the friends of the slave can cheerfully support. By order of the Executive Committee."

The following is an extract from a letter written by Mr. Stanton, one of the Secretaries who signed the above Circular, showing how well he himself had been engaged in these duties: "From Lockport I returned to Utica. By request I delivered an address in the Bleeker street Church, the evening of the 10th inst. _on the political duties of the 40,000 Abolition voters in this State_, (New York) _with reference to the fall elections_."

The following are extracts from the public, well considered, authoritative and solemn doc.u.ment of the Annual Report of the American Anti-Slavery Society for 1838:--"It is often said, that religion has nothing to do with our republican politics; and hence it is inferred, that a cause which is based upon and inseparable from religion, should not presume to meddle with political affairs. But to make the proposition true, we must read instead of _religion, sectarianism_.... The religious principles of Abolitionism have nothing to do with _sects_.... They are but the thoughts and opinions of all who truly love G.o.d.... Abolitionism _must_ have much to do with politics.... Abolitionists have resolved, _from the first_, to act upon slavery _politically_.... During the year this principle has produced the happiest results. The candidates of the opposing parties have been questioned, and their answers published; and in cases too numerous to mention, the election has resulted in favour of those who most decidedly pledged themselves to Anti-Slavery measures."

The _religious_ character of Abolitionism, as here confessed, will be considered in a subsequent place. We do not dissent from the suggestion conveyed, that religion has its political _rights_, under the Const.i.tution, as much as any other interest, feeling, or principle; but we do not see the force of the distinction drawn between _religion_ and _sectarianism_ for this particular purpose; although the distinction is in fact obvious. Are not Abolitionists a _sect_, and as strongly marked as any that can be named? They fall, therefore, under the ban of their own rule. But, although religion has its political _rights_, not excepting even _sectarianism_--and we have yet to learn that there is any religion in the country, which is not sectarian, both in its principles and modes of operation, not only in relation to other religious bodies, but to Christianity itself, the catholic standard--it must yet be very careful not to usurp political _powers_ in this country--not to have _too much_ "to do with our republican politics." "Abolitionism _must_ have much to do with politics." The word "must," is italicised in the Report, and _may_, therefore, be taken as intended to be emphatically significant. We agree with them perfectly. But, that "Abolitionists have resolved, _from the first_, to act upon slavery _politically_," is a matter which they must settle among themselves, inasmuch as when they _first set out_, they disclaimed it, as would appear from the note of July 16th, 1834, above introduced.

Our object in these quotations, is not to inform the public generally in regard to facts of this kind, as they are sufficiently well known--but merely to throw out a few tangible materials, connected with volumes of the same cla.s.s, which might easily be collected, for the purpose of justifying in our pages the conclusions we deduce from them. We will trouble our readers with but one more which is from a _clerical_ Agent of the Society in the western part of New York, dated Aurora, Oct. 8, 1838. It is a letter to a fellow laborer in Chetauque County.

"Dear Sir,

"I have just had a.s.signed to me, by the Executive Committee of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society, as my field of labor for several months to come, Niagara, Erie, Chetauque, and Cataraugus Counties. The first object to which I am bending all my energies, is the holding of County meetings _before the coming election, with a view especially of preparing and exciting Abolitionists to carry their principles to the polls, and wield all their_ POLITICAL, _as well as moral and religious power_ for the redemption, &c. ... Can you not create a _tremendous reaction_ at this time, &c.? ... The only way in which we can move the proslavery and dough-faced politicians, is by showing them our _political strength_, &c.... Now, will you call together your Executive Committee, and fix on a time and place for a Convention? Let me know immediately, and write letters all over the County,--_have notices given out in the_ CHURCHES, &c. ... and have town Abolition Meetings held before the County Convention.

"Yours for the crushed slave, "T. M. BLAKESLEY."

These extracts may serve to indicate the zeal and activity of the Secretaries and numerous Agents of this society, _clerical_ and other, previous to the New York elections, and the modes adopted to secure their ends. The interrogation of "candidates for the National and State Legislatures," and for other civil and political stations, as resolved upon and recommended by the parent Society, has been scrupulously carried out. The correspondence between Messrs. Seward and Bradish on the one side, and the official organs of the Society on the other, while these two gentlemen stood before the people of the State of New York as candidates, the first for Governor, and the second for Lieutenant Governor, has been laid before the public--all tending to the same point. Not being exactly satisfied with the result of the election in New York, so far as it demonstrated the influence of the Anti-Slavery Society, it has been suggested by Gerritt Smith, Esq., who seems to be a sort of Dictator General in these matters, that the Abolition societies should undergo a new organization, with a view to the expurgation of the baser and unsound materials, by requiring the despotic test of binding the conscience in the use of the elective franchise. How this will go down, we are unable to say; though it seems to us to be carrying matters with a high hand.

Doubtless, the business, in one form or another, will go ahead, in despite of the imprudence of individuals, until the people of this country can be made to see the real character and tendency of the movement. Suffice it to say, as is sufficiently evident, that the American Anti-Slavery Society is now a _grand political organization_, aiming, by the use of political agencies and powers, at a radical and great change in the American political fabric. We shall yet have occasion to show, that this change, urged in this mode and under present circ.u.mstances, unless the movement can be checked and suppressed, must necessarily and inevitably dissolve the Union, and consequently overthrow the Government, as it now exists. But our immediate object is to establish the proposition, as stated in _Italics_ on page 3, in order to prepare the way for the application of those principles of American Const.i.tutional law, which will prove this Society to be a _seditious organization_.

The most essential point of the proposition now under consideration, is the fact, that the American Anti-Slavery Society is a _political_ organization. That, we think, may be regarded as already established; but it may still be fortified by the consideration, that it is _necessarily_ so from the object it has in view, apart from the position it has a.s.sumed before the public by its own avowals and measures, and by the agencies it has taken in hand. Slavery, as is well known, and as will hereafter be made apparent by the introduction of authorities, is a corporate part of the American political fabric, established by Const.i.tutional law, and interwoven with the frame of the Federal Government. It is not only a thoroughly pervading element, and main pillar of political society in the slave-holding States, but it is made a part of the supreme law of the land in the Federal Const.i.tution. It is impossible, therefore, from the nature of the case, to inst.i.tute any action, private or public, individual or combined, in any form, or by any agency, to abolish or eradicate slavery from American society, which will not be of a political character. Consequently, the Abolition movement, which, as before remarked, originated in religious sentiment, which was prompted and is still sustained princ.i.p.ally by religious men, and which borrowed the model of its organization from the action of the religious world, by inst.i.tuting an exact copy, the moment it entered the field, was transformed into a political body from the very nature of the work it had undertaken, notwithstanding it was, and still is, actuated by religious sentiment. It is nevertheless political, and it is all the more dangerous, because religion is in it--not Christianity. We shall by and by attempt to show the difference between Christianity and that religion, which lies at the bottom, and is the instigator, of this movement. We have seen, that, in the first setting out, the leaders professed to disclaim political alliance; but, allowing they were sincere in that disclaimer, they soon discovered it was a false step.

Throwing aside all disguise, they have now gone _the whole_ for political action. At first, they were timid, perhaps--did not know their strength, which might be a reason for not coming out under their own flag. But, _crescit eundo_--the cause soon obtained sympathy, and found way to importance; and behold! it dares to face the Government of the country in open conflict, and to erect its batteries against that Const.i.tutional fabric, which has. .h.i.therto been so dear to American citizens.

We have stated, that this political organization is _permanent_. The meaning under which we propose to sustain the application of this epithet in this case, refers, by contradistinction, to a mode of popular political action, which, we conceive, is authorised by the Const.i.tutional law of the land, and which proves equally, that a _permanent_ organization of this kind is unauthorised and prohibited.

For the present we simply state, what we suppose will not be contradicted, that the American Anti-Slavery Society is a _permanent_ body, in distinction from those popular a.s.semblages or conventions, which are customarily held in this country for political purposes, under the specific sanction of the Const.i.tution and laws, which exist only for the time being, which do not presume to arm themselves with a distinct and separate polity, or to set up an imperium in imperio, independent and irresponsible.

We have stated also, that it is a _grand_ political organization. This term is of no farther importance than simply to indicate, what is very well known, that this Society is great and powerful. It claims to wield 40,000 of the political votes of the State of New York. Whether this be over or under the true estimate, we take it from themselves; and it is probably fair to conclude, that they are equally strong in most of the other free States. Admitting that they have one-half, or even one-fourth, of this power, it is enough to justify the application of this term. It is a _grand_ organization also, in consideration of its vast and complicated machinery, of the variety and extent of its operations, and of its means of influence. In 1838, this Society reports 1350 auxiliaries, of which 12 were State Societies, now 13, and 340 of these organized in the course of the previous year; 38 travelling Agents, so constantly engaged, as to have performed jointly 27 years' labour in one; 75 local lecturers, circulating in adjacent towns, as far as convenient; money raised in the course of the year, $40,000, being $5,000 in excess of the previous year, notwithstanding the pecuniary embarra.s.sments of the community; the issues of the press, 187,316 copies of Human Rights, 193,800 of the Emanc.i.p.ator, 42,100 Circulars and Prints, 12,054 bound volumes, 72,732 Tracts and Pamphlets, 97,600 of the Slaves' Friend, and 40,000 of the Anti-Slavery Record. Total: 646,502.

This society, therefore, is a _grand_, and in its moral and political influence, a stupendous machinery.

And it is _self-erected_, _self-governed_, _independent_, and _irresponsible_. The truth of these statements, we think, is self-evident in all that we intend, or desire to be understood, by them. The first, certainly, is true. For what authority, independent of its component parts, suggested, or sanctioned it? And the second is equally true. For, where is the power, out of itself, that dictates, or controls, its proceedings? The third and fourth are also true. For what authority will they acknowledge, as competent to call them to account? They are, indeed, responsible to public opinion; but the relation we intend to express, is responsibility to some const.i.tuted authority; and in this view our proposition is sustained, so far as their designs are concerned. We presume they do not recognize the right of any known authority to call them to account. We think it fair, therefore, to represent this Society as _self-erected_, _self-governed_, _independent_, and _irresponsible_. So far as our individual opinion is concerned, we do indeed believe and hold, that they are responsible to an authority that is competent to act upon them, when a sense of public duty may require it, and that it is sufferance only that screens the action of this Society from uncomfortable rebuke. But we mean only to a.s.sert in our proposition, what we suppose is true: that they do not _hold_ themselves responsible; that there is no const.i.tuted, or official, connexion between them and a superior power; and that they consider themselves ent.i.tled to carry on the operations in which they are engaged, under their present organization, without check, control, or interference of any authority.

Moreover, _there is no such connexion between them and the Government of the country_, as is prescribed by const.i.tutional law to popular a.s.semblages, or a.s.sociations, for political purposes. There is, indeed, no connexion at all. The government is not even advised of the existence of this society by its own official acts; at least we have never heard of it.

And yet further--which is the last point of our proposition--this society _has usurped the appropriate business of the Government_. They have formally and solemnly declared, in various forms, so far as their authority goes, that slavery is wrong by a higher and more imperative law than that of the country, and set themselves directly to do it away, by all the means they can employ, in the application of a stupendous machinery of their own creation, and under their own independent control. The elective franchise is only one means, and as yet by far the least efficient. Without any balance of influence to oppose and counteract the effect of their proceedings on the public mind, they have been enabled, by the advantages and power of their organization, to agitate the whole country, to throw the South into a state of consternation, and to menace the overthrow of the Government.

No one doubts--and therefore we think we are justified in saying--that, had it not been for the necessary posture of self-defence, a.s.sumed by the slave-holding States, the Agents of this Society, without waiting for the action of Government, would have carried their incendiary measures directly into the South, and raised a servile insurrection and civil war. It is true, indeed, that this Society have commenced working hard at the polls, as a means of accomplishing their end, and so far have recognized the principle, that Government is to be consulted. But all their other operations, which comprehend the princ.i.p.al sum of their labors, have been of a character which would seem to imply, that the removal of slavery was their business. They have never entered on that course of action for a change in the political fabric of the country, which Const.i.tutional law prescribes, by acting on the Government, the only legitimate organ. They have not even approached the Government, nor recognised either its existence or authority for such a purpose. We speak of the action of the Society _as such_, and not of the action of its individual members in their capacity as citizens. If citizens, desiring such an object, are required to address the Government, instead of seeking to undermine the Const.i.tution and laws, by indirect and independent operations; and if this rule has been wisely enacted for the public peace and safety, much more is it inc.u.mbent on a powerful combination, in undertaking to change the laws of the country--if it be lawful for such a combination to be formed--to advise the Government of their wishes and proceedings. Just in proportion as they are more influential and more powerful than individuals, by virtue of a.s.sociation, is it more inc.u.mbent on them, and more important, to consult the regular and const.i.tuted authorities.

But what has been the fact in regard to the operations of the American Anti-slavery Society? Simply, that they have gone to this work just as if it were their own proper business--as if there were no government in the land. They have never addressed the Government; they have never consulted it; they have never asked leave to be, to act, or to enter this field; but have erected a republic of their own, with a State machinery, and set themselves to change the government of the country, as if it devolved upon them by original and indefeasible right. In a word, they have taken in hand, by a virtual usurpation, the most delicate, and the most disturbing political question, which could possibly be agitated--a question, which, by the Const.i.tutional frame of our Government, belongs properly and only to the States where slavery exists, and which, for that reason, the General Government itself can never meddle with, without the consent of those States.

Clearly, the National Government is the only channel through which the subject can be lawfully approached from the free States; by the Federal compact the National Government is the public guardian of slavery; and consequently, when ever its abolition is attempted under the jurisdiction of the United States, independent of the action of the General Government, and without the consent of the slave States, it is a direct invasion of chartered rights, and a usurpation.

We have now done with the proposition laid down for the argument of this chapter, and will only repeat it in form for the consideration of the reader: _That the American Anti-slavery Society is a grand and permanent political organization, self-erected, self-governed, independent, and irresponsible, having no connexion with the Government of the country, but yet usurping the appropriate business of that government._