choose between these conflicting interests, and
to count the cost of what they might lose by declaring to the world that
all men were free and equal, and appealing to heaven for its truth. But
there was, then, no man cold enough for such a calculation; no man who
could darken the brightness of that day by raising such a question.
It is too late now. In this age, in this country, the agitation of
this subject is unavoidable. Legislation never can restrain it. Public
sentiment never will. You may as well forge fetters for the winds, as
for the impulses of free and exulting hearts; if speech and action could
be repressed, there would be excitement in the very looks of freemen.]

"The other proposition is this, that among the plans and descriptions
that relate to this delicate subject, it must happen that some will be
rash and dangerous.

"It is not to be expected, that men, not well informed of facts as they
exist, and misled by the ardor of an inconsiderate zeal, will not devise
projects and hold them out to others, which may be attended with the
most disastrous consequences. This is the nature of things. It must ever
be so upon every subject, which like this contains within itself the
elements of great excitement; more especially when that excitement is
connected with some of the best principles and feelings of the heart.

"Now, sir, put these two propositions together; that silence and
inaction are unattainable, and dangerous and improper projects almost
unavoidable, and what are we to do? Something we must do. However
desirous we might be to do nothing, it is impossible, because others
will not consent to do nothing; and if we relinquish the task of action,
it will infallibly fall into hands most unfit to receive it. Nothing
remains, then, but to devise something safe and practicable and place
it in prudent hands.

"And now, sir, I would respectfully ask our opponents, of both
descriptions, to consider whether this has not been done by the
establishment of this Society. I would ask the abolitionist to suspend
his own labors, and consider the object and the consequences of ours. I
would ask him if it is not better to unite with us in what is safe and
practicable, and may be managed with the consent of those, whose consent
is not to be dispensed with, than to attempt to force his own views upon
men, by means which they denounce as dangerous.

"Sir, this is the appeal which has been made by the Society, and which
it