n can
doubt the Aboli^n propensities of the N. when such men as _Beecher,
Greeley, Webb, Phillips, Sumner_, & a host of kindred spirits, are the
giant levers in the machinery of their society? It will not do to say
that these are disregarded by sensible people there, for I know too
well their power for evil. I know that _Dr. Hodge_--a man whom I love
next to my Father--stated, in his article on "the state of the
Country," that he did not know of 12 abolitionists "within the circle
of his acquaintance." But the Dr. was either woefully mistaken or he
didn't consider his _pupils as belonging to that circle_; for to my
certain knowledge there were twice that number within the walls of
"Princeton" at the time he made the assertion, and many of these
avowedly such--men who, I was astonished to see, withheld their names
when the same Dr. H. came round with a petition to Congress for "the
restoration of the Mis. Comp." & the repeal of the "Personal Liberty
Bills." These young men were embryo Ministers--men whose moral
influence _must_ be _powerful_ for _good_ or for _evil_. How is it then
you can assert that the North don't want the extinction of slavery when
such men as I have mentioned exert every effort to prevent its
extension & not that only, but the _operation_ of the _fugitive S.
law?_ I am aware that you stated the _contrary_ in your letter--that
the North are ever "rigorous" in its execution; nor am I so ungallant
as to doubt your veracity; but I think you have not fully informed
yourself on this point, else you would have learned that in scarcely an
isolated case has the Master ever recovered his property without being
put to more expense & trouble than the negro was worth; although I am
free to admit, that at the same time it cost the U.S. gov. an equal if
not greater Amount. Of course I refer to those negroes who have _not
merely_ crossed the _limits_ of a Slave State, & thus been caught, but
gone some distance North. Now the obligation to restore a fugitive
Slave is a _constitu^l. & moral obligation;_ and those laws designed to
prevent such restoration are unconst^l & criminal--and worthy of all
condem^n.--and unbecoming the dignity of any Sov^n. State. If people of
any State can't conscientiously submit to the Constitution there are
only 2 courses: they should endeavor to have it peaceably altered, or
should _move out of the Country_. This is the opinion of the most
learned and liberal men. _They have no right_ to