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Show 128 eration of the wise, the energies of the active, the wealth of the prosperous, the prayers and toils of the good, have Emancipation for their great end. Let this be discussed habitually in the family circle, in the conference of Christians, in the halls of legislation. Let it mingle with the first thoughts of the slaveholder in the morning and the last at night. Who can doubt that to such a spirit God would reveal the means of wise and powerful action l There is but one obstacle to emancipation, and that is, the want of that spirit in which Christians and freemen should resolve to exterminate slavery. I have said nothing of colonization among the means of removing slavery, because I believe that to rely on it for this object would be equivalent to a resolution to perpetuate the evil without end. Whatever good it may do abroad, and I trust it will do much, it promises little at home. If the slaveholding States, however, should engage in colonization, with a firm faith in its practicableness, with an energy proportionate to its greatness, and with a sincere reo-ard to the welfare of the colored race, I am confident it will not fail from want of sympathy and aid on the part of the other States. In truth, these States will not withhold their hearts or hands from any well considered plan for the removal of slavery. 129 I have said nothing of the inconveniences and sufferings, which, it is urged, will follow emancipation, be i~ ever so ~afe; for these, if real, weigh nothmg agamst the claims of justice. The most common objection is, that a mixture of the two races wi.!l be the result. Can this objection be urged in good faith l Can this mixture go on faster or more criminally than at the present moment l Can the slaveholder use the word "am_algamation" without a blush l Nothing, nothmg, can arrest this evil but the raisin a of the colored woman to a new sense of charac~r, to a ne~ self-respect; and this she cannot gain but by ~emg. made free. That emancipation will have Its ev•l_s w~ know; for all great changes, however ~eneficial, I~ the socjal condition of a people, must mterfe:e With some interests, must bring loss or hardship to one class or another; but the evils of sla~ery exceed beyond measure the greatest which can attend its removal. Let the slaveholder desire earnestly, and in the spirit of selfsacrifice, to restore freedom, to secure t he rights and the happi~ess of the slave, and a new light will break upon IllS path. " Every mountain of difficulty will be brought low, and the rough places be made smooth ; " the means of duty will become clear. But without this spirit, no eloquence of man or angel can persuade the slaveholder of the safety of emancipation. 9 |
