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A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty
Is worth a whole eternity of bondage!
has been worn deeper, not effaced, by time; and we eagerly and ardently trust that the day will yet arrive when the clank of the bondman's fetters will form no part of the multitudinous Sounds which our country sends up to Heaven, mingling, as it were, into a song of praise for our national prosperity.
We yearn with strong desire for the day when freedom shall no longer wave
Her fustian flag in mockery over slaves.
A few days after, in reply to the assaults made upon him from all quarters, he calmly and firmly reiterated his determination to maintain the right of free discussion of the subject of slavery.
‘The course we are pursuing,’ said he,
is one which we entered upon after mature deliberation, and we are not to be turned from it by a species of opposition, the inefficacy of which we have seen displayed in so many former instances.
It is Philip Van Artevelde who says:–
All my life long,
I have beheld with most respect the man
Who knew himself, and knew the ways before him;
And from among them chose considerately,
With a clear foresight, not a blindfold courage;
And, having chosen, with a steadfast mind
Pursued his purpose.
This is the sort of character we emulate.
If to believe slavery a deplorable evil and curse, in whatever light it is viewed; if to yearn for the day which shall break the fetters of three millions of human beings, and restore to them their birthright of equal freedom; if to be willing, in season and
