The period from 1833-1860 witnessed, as we have seen, the rise and
progress of the abolition movement at the North and the growth of
pro-slavery sentiment in Virginia and the South. These conditions are
reflected in the deliverances of many prominent anti-slavery
Virginians, and by a growing indisposition on the part of others of
this element to publicly declare their sentiments or to take part in
the discussions, which, with growing bitterness, marked the times.