can only judge of them by the tendency of their actions.
There is much truth in what was said by Coleridge. "I have never known a
trader in philanthropy who was not wrong in heart somehow or other.
Individuals so distinguished, are usually unhappy in their family
relations--men not benevolent or beneficent to individuals, but almost
hostile to them, yet lavishing money and labor and time on the race--the
abstract notion." The prurient love of notoriety actuates some. There is
much luxury in sentiment, especially if it can be indulged at the
expense of others, and if there be added some share of envy or
malignity, the temptation to indulgence is almost irresistible. But
certainly they may be justly regarded as criminal, who obstinately shut
their eyes and close their ears to all instruction with respect to the
true nature of their actions.

It must be manifest to every man of sane mind that it is impossible for
them to achieve ultimate success; even if every individual in our
country, out of the limits of the slaveholding States, were united in
their purposes. They can not have even the miserable triumph of St.
Domingo--of advancing through scenes of atrocity, blood and massacre, to
the restoration of barbarism. They may agitate and perplex the world for
a time. They may excite to desperate attempts and particular acts of
cruelty and horror, but these will always be suppressed or avenged at
the expense of the objects of their truculent philanthropy. But short of
this, they can hardly be aware of the extent of the mischief they
perpetrate. As I have said, their opinions, by means to us inscrutable,
do very generally reach our slave population. What human being, if
unfavorably distinguished by outward circumstances, is not ready to
believe when he is told that he is the victim of injustice? Is it not
cruelty to make men restless and dissatisfied in their condition, when
no effort of theirs can alter it? The greatest injury is done to their
characters, as well as to their happiness. Even if no such feelings or
designs should be entertained or conceived by the slave, they will be
attributed to him by the master, and all his conduct scanned with a
severe and jealous scrutiny. Thus distrust and aversion are established,
where, but for mischievous interference, there would be confidence and
good-will, and a sterner control is exercised over the slave who thus
becomes the victim of his cruel advocates.[253]

An effect is somet