tion, to some petty, insignificant office.
Slavery is to us, as a great subterraneous fire, which is ever ready
to burst upon us with volcanic violence, deluging our country with
boiling lava, red hot stones, smoke and flames; carrying devastation,
death and destruction in its train. But the subject will be agitated,
more or less, and unless the people of this country become better
informed on this subject, and peaceably adopt some practicable means
for its final extirpation; sooner or later the Union will be
endangered thereby. The North should cease to vex the South, and the
South should cease to vex the North, and patriotic men North and
South, should devise some means, by which the end might be
accomplished at some future day. The question now presents itself to
every friend of humanity--to every philanthropist; is there no remedy
for these evils, or must we groan under their pestilential influence
forever?

I know that the subject of slavery is a perplexing question, and that
its abolition will be attended with dangers and difficulties, take what
course we may; but shall we for that reason, fold our arms, sit still
and do nothing? Or else flee from its hydra-headed ghost in dismay? No,
my friends and fellow citizens; to those who put their trust in God,
and have the wisdom to plan, and the will to work, all things are
possible. It is, however, folly for us to flatter ourselves, that
slavery can be extirpated in the United States in a short time. It will
require time and patience to attain an object, so desirable. Hasty and
inconsiderate action will be likely to prove abortive, and result in no
good to either master or slave; if not in irretrievable ruin to both.
We should avoid everything in word or deed, which has a tendency to
irritate the South and arouse them to resistance. Abolitionists by
their low abuse and vile misrepresentations, have done everything in
their power to excite and irritate them; hence, there is an impassable
gulf between them and Southern men. We should beware lest we fall into
the same error. The course of the North towards the South, should be
kind and conciliatory. We should consult her interests, and appeal to
her patriotism, and thus may the North and South as a band of brothers,
heartily co-operate in the great and glorious work, of restoring
liberty to the enslaved Africans, and of enlightening their minds and
thereby qualifying them for the enjoyment of freedom. What patriot,
what p