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Show 230 LIBERTY AND SLAVERY. with their sober senses. " The prevalent state of feeling," said Dr. Channing in 1840, "in the free States in regard to slavery is indifferencean indifference strengthened by the notion of great difficulties attending the subject. The fact is painful, but the truth should be spoken. The majority of the people, even yet, care little about the matter. A painful proof of this insensibility was furnished about a year and a half ago, when the English West Indies were emancipated. Au event surpassing this in moral grandeur is not recorded in history. In one day, probably seven hundred thousand of human beings were rescued from bondage to full, unqualified freedom. The consciousness of wrongs, in so many breasts, was exchanged into rapturous, grateful joy. What shouts of thanksgiving broke forth fi.·om those liberated crowds! What new sanctity and strength were added to the domestic ties! What new hopes opened on future generations! The crowning glory of this day was the fact that the work of emancipation was wholly due to the principles of Christianity. The West Indies were freed, not by force, or human policy, but by the reverence of a great people for justice and humanity. The men who began and carried ou this ARGUMENT FllOM TilE PUBLIC GOOD. 231 cause were Christian philanthropists; and they prevailed by spreading their own spirit through a nation. In this rcsnect, the emancipation of the \Vest Indies was a gt·ander work than tho redemption of the Israelites fi.·om bondage. This was accomplished by force, by outward miracles, by the violence of the elements. That was achieved by love, by moral power, by God, working, not in the stormy seas, but in the depths of the human heart. And how was this day of emancipation-one of the most blessed days that ever dawned upon the earth-received in this country? While in distant England a thrill of gratitude and joy pervaded thousands and millions, we, the neighbors of the West Indies, and who boast of our love of liberty, saw the sun of that day rise and set with hardly a thought of the scenes on which it was pouring its joyful light. The greater part of our newspapers did not refer to the event. The great majority of the people had forgotten it. Such was the testimony we gave to our concern for the poor slave; and is it fr·om discussiOns of slavery among such a people that the country is to be overturned?" Such were the glowing expectations of the abolitionists. It now remains to be seen whc- |
