In his speech before the "Disunion Convention" at Worcester, Mass.,
above referred to, William Lloyd Garrison said:
"Again, I am for the speedy overthrow of the Union because, while it
exists, I see no end to the extension of slavery. I see everything
in the hands of the Slave Power now—all the resources of the
country,—every dollar in the Treasury, the Navy, the Judiciary,
everything in its grasp; and I know that with all these means and
facilities and the disposition to use them, nothing can successfully
contend against it.
"I am sure of another thing—that when the North shall withdraw from
the Union, there will be an end to Southern filibustering and
schemes of annexation. Then the tables will be turned and we shall
have the slaveholders at our doors crying for mercy. Rely upon it,
there is not an intelligent slaveholder at the South who is for a
dissolution of the Union. I do not care what the folly or insanity
of the Southern Nullifiers may be; ... not one of them is willing to
have the cord cut and the South permitted to try the experiment. If
it be otherwise, God grant that she may soon take this step and see
whether she will be able to hold a single slave one hour after the
deed is done."[314]
No opportunity was neglected to inculcate sentiments of disloyalty to
the Union, hatred of the constitution, and disregard of the statutes
enacted by the Federal Government bearing upon slavery. Sometimes the
Abolitionists would emphasize their position and lend a touch of
realism to their sentiments by burning before the multitudes copies of
the constitution and obnoxious laws passed by Congress.