[166] remiss in different branches of our Association. The Executive Committee was not constituted for such work as this. Look at our Constitution. We are to charge the enemy and rout him, and not whip and spur our own comrades. I have seen the remarks in the Philanthropist of Sept. 15,1 and concur with most of them. The Philanthropist does not censure the brethren who signed the Appeal so much as they deserve to be censured; because, probably, they were not so much in his eye as those on the other side. Still, the drift and temper of the piece I like; and I am persuaded it will meet the approbation of a large majority of the abolitionists in the country, including a full proportion of the most zealous and devoted, with the above exception. I do not wonder at your being wounded at many things said of you in the Appeals—deeply wounded. But would it not be magnanimous to overlook it all for the sake of the cause—the cause? By writing so sharply the breach is widened, and the danger is, if such a course is persisted in, that it will never be closed. How lamentable would this be! Instead of being a united band, gaining strength, and becoming more and more formidable, we should expend most of the strength that should be devoted to the accursed system of slavery upon each other, and thus weaken our efforts and postpone the jubilee over the downfall of oppression. ‘United we stand; divided we fall.’ Receive with candor these remarks; make due allowance for anything you deem unkindly or unwisely written; and believe me to be, my dear friend, Yours with affection and respect, P. S. I cannot learn that either of the signers of the Appeal has had any correspondence with any member of the Executive Committee. I am sure the Committee is unanimous in thinking the Appeal ill-tempered and injudicious. Be not hasty with the Philanthropist because the signers of the Appeal are not censured with more severity. Wait a little.
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1 Copied in Lib. 7.161. Mr. Birney reserved his opinion on the merits of the Boston controversy; saw indiscretion on both sides; had no sympathy with the spirit of Mr. Garrison's rejoinder to the Appeal, which manifested an unchristian temper; was grieved and disappointed by his course, and his former confidence in his judgment and prudence was shaken.
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