ly cast upon them;
and by their energy, prudence, and moderation, convince their
opponents they have been mistaken in their characters and
conduct. And we confidently hope that the blessing of that
Almighty Being, who equally regards the bond and the free, will
crown your righteous labor with success.[14]

_To the various Anti-Slavery Societies in the United States._

The American Convention, for promoting the abolition of slavery,
and improving the condition of the African race, feeling desirous
to encourage every measure that may have a tendency to aid this
deeply injured people, and to relieve our country from the many
evils inseparably connected with the system of individual
oppression, take the liberty to address you upon the present
occasion. And in the performance of this task, we are
particularly solicitous to draw your attention to the subject of
the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia--a subject
which we view as highly important, especially at the present
moment, and deserving your most serious consideration.

When we reflect that the government of this District emanates
from the Congress of the United States--that the power to
regulate its political and municipal concerns is solely vested in
that body--that the people of every State must share the honor or
opprobium attending the course of conduct pursued by the
authorities in the administration of its local government--and
that the whole Union must be measurably responsible for the
consequence resulting therefrom--when we take this view of the
subject, we ought not for a moment to hesitate in appealing to
the friends of humanity in every section of the country, and
urging them to use all lawful and just means, within their reach,
to limit, and finally to eradicate the demoralizing and
corrupting system of slavery, which is yet upheld and tolerated
there.

We will not enter into a minute detail of the many advantages
that would result to the nation, either morally or politically,
from the abolition of slavery, in the District aforesaid.--But we
feel it an imperious duty to state, that in our opinion it would
be attended with the most salutary effects on other portions of
the Union, the _influence_ of which would be incalculable. Under
the present regulati