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Show PRELIMINARY REMARKS. IT is generally acknowledged by men of candor and prudence, that persecution and intolerance add strength to error, and that corrosive irritating epithets tend to defeat the object of liberal discussion,-the conviction of truth. Nor can it produce any valuable end, for one frail member of the same fraternity, to attack another, with a volley of threats and predictions of the curses and vengeance of their common Father. Possessors of Slaves have been frequently menaced with the visitation of some tremendous and sudden burst of Divine wrath. If such an instance has existed, it has occurred so seldom, and with such protracted forbearance, that they have generally regarded it asa casualty, and have not been deterred from persisting in the custom of retain. ing possession of their slaves. It is, however, an incontrovertible theorem, that the sentinels of Divine justice, are seldom trespassed upon, without regular and appro. priate retribution, in some shape, and at some time or other. |