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themselves in the pleasing expectation, that nothing which can be done for the relief of the unhappy objects of their care, will be either omitted or delayed.’
And the memorialists conclude as follows: ‘Under these impressions they earnestly entreat your serious attention to the subject of Slavery; that you will be pleased to countenance the restoration of liberty to those unhappy men, who alone, in this land of Freedom, are degraded into perpetual bondage, and who, amidst the general joy of surrounding freemen, are groaning in servile subjection; that you will promote mercy and justice towards this distressed race, and that you will step to the very verge of the power vested in you for Discourag-Ing every species of traffic in the persons of our fellow-men.’
The Address also makes the assertion—which is an historical fact not often alluded to—that at the time,
nowhere, under the Federal Government, did slavery exist. It was in States only, skulking beneath the shelter of local laws, that it was allowed to remain.
But the country had changed from Anti-slavery to Pro-slavery.
The generous sentiments which filled the souls of the early patriots, had been impressed upon the government they founded, as it was upon the coin they circulated—the image and superscription of Liberty.
But the blessings of Freedom being secured to themselves, the freemen of the land grew indifferent to the freedom of others: they ceased to think of the slaves.
The slave-masters were but few in numbers, even in the slave States; but by persevering union among themselves, and through skilful tactics carrying their influence with whatever party was in power, to promote their personal interests, they succeeded through a long period of years, in obtaining control of the
Federal Government, which resulted in a fundamental change in its character.
The Usurpations and Aggressions of the Slave Power.—Look at the extent to which this malign influence has predominated.
The Slave
