d Negroes
to Africa. Evidently, this society looks upon our "extremity as its
opportunity," and we may expect that it will use the occasion well. They
do not deplore, but glory, in our misfortunes.{362}

But, sir, I must hasten. I have thus briefly given my view of one aspect
of the present condition and future prospects of the colored people of
the United States. And what I have said is far from encouraging to my
afflicted people. I have seen the cloud gather upon the sable brows of
some who hear me. I confess the case looks black enough. Sir, I am not a
hopeful man. I think I am apt even to undercalculate the benefits of the
future. Yet, sir, in this seemingly desperate case, I do not despair for
my people. There is a bright side to almost every picture of this kind;
and ours is no exception to the general rule. If the influences against
us are strong, those for us are also strong. To the inquiry, will our
enemies prevail in the execution of their designs. In my God and in my
soul, I believe they _will not_. Let us look at the first object sought
for by the slavery party of the country, viz: the suppression of anti
slavery discussion. They desire to suppress discussion on this subject,
with a view to the peace of the slaveholder and the security of slavery.
Now, sir, neither the principle nor the subordinate objects here
declared, can be at all gained by the slave power, and for this reason:
It involves the proposition to padlock the lips of the whites, in order
to secure the fetters on the limbs of the blacks. The right of speech,
precious and priceless, _cannot, will not_, be surrendered to slavery.
Its suppression is asked for, as I have said, to give peace and security
to slaveholders. Sir, that thing cannot be done. God has interposed an
insuperable obstacle to any such result. "There can be _no peace_,
saith my God, to the wicked." Suppose it were possible to put down this
discussion, what would it avail the guilty slaveholder, pillowed as he
is upon heaving bosoms of ruined souls? He could not have a peaceful
spirit. If every anti-slavery tongue in the nation were silent--every
anti-slavery organization dissolved--every anti-slavery press
demolished--every anti slavery periodical, paper, book, pamphlet, or
what not, were searched out, gathered, deliberately burned to ashes,
and their ashes given to the four winds of heaven, still, still the
slaveholder could have _"no peace_." In every pulsation of his heart, in