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Show •• ('C · - -· ...... 152 The North will undoubtedly be just to the South. It must also be just to itself. This is not the time for sycophancy, for servility, fot· compromise of principle, for forgetfulness of our rights. It is the time to manifest the spirit of Men, a spirit whicl> pt·izes, more than life, the principles of liuerty, of justice, of humanity, of pure morals, of pme religion. L et it not be thought that I would recommend to the North, what in some parts of om country is called "Chivalry," a spirit of which the duelling pistol is the best emblem, and which settles controversies with blood. A Christian and civilized · man cannot but be struck with the approach to barbarism, with th~ insensibility to true greatness, with the incapacity of comprehending the divine virtues of J esus Christ, which mark what is called "chivalry." l ask not the man of the North to borrow it from any part of the country. But l do ask him to stand in the presence or this "chivalry" with the dignity of moral courage and moral independence. Let him, at the same moment, remember the courtesy and deference due to the differing opinions of others, and the sincerity and firmness due to his own. Let him understand the lofty position which he holds on the subject of slavery, and never descend from it for the purpose of soothing prejudice or disarming passion. Let him respect the safety of the South, and still man. 153 if est his inflexible adherence to the cause of human rights and personal freedom. On this point I must insist, because I see the North giving way to the vehemence of the South. In some, perhaps many, of our recent " R esolutions," a spirit has been manifested, at which, if not we, our children will blush. Not long ago there were rumors, that some of 0ur citizens wished to suppt·ess by hw all discussion, all expression of opinion on slavery, and to send to the South such members of our community as might be claimed as instigators of insurrection. Such encroachments on rights could not, of course, be endured. We are not yet so lcd len. Some echoes of the old eloquence of liberty still come down to us from our fathers. Some inspirations of heroism and freedom still issue from the consecrated walls of Faneuil Hall. Were we to yield to such encroachments, would not the soil ol' New England, so long trodden by freemen, heave and quake under the steps of her degenerate sons ? We are not p•·epared for these. But a weak, yielding tone, fm· which we seem to be prepared, may be the beginning of concessions which we shall one day bitterly rue. The means used at the South to bring the North to compliance seem to demand particular attention. I will not record the contemptuous language which has been tht·own on the frugal |