If, then, it is not right, nor practicable, nor possible, to restore
these 4,000,000 of Africans to barbarism, why any longer agitate the
subject? Why keep the negro in perpetual dread of change, and the
owner dubious of the future? Why, by this negro agitation, create
apprehension in the minds of our own people for the stability and
permanence of this government, and hope in the minds of all the
monarchists of the world that this agitation will divide and destroy
this last great bulwark of human freedom?
Why shall we put to hazard that freedom which is already secure? Why
involve in experiments those tangible acquisitions which we have made
to this priceless inheritance of freedom? Washington is gone, but he
has left us his bright example, and his solemn admonitions. Let those
who are greater, and wiser, and purer than Washington, impeach him.
Let those whose precepts or examples excel his, question the
superiority of his virtue and valor. Let those who have done more for
human freedom, denounce him as the enemy of mankind, and erect for
themselves a standard of moral action, which shall rise to the
stupendous height of their own boundless egotism!
But if it is found to be inexpedient and wrong to agitate the subject
of slavery, when it is known to be impracticable, impossible, and
unjust to emancipate the slaves, then let us go on in our career of
greatness, with success and tranquility. Let us watch with jealous
care the honor of our country, and scorn the aspersions of its
vilifiers. Let us honor and vindicate our country in its attitude of
justice, and in its mission of civilization, and mark with the
imputation of opprobrium every recreant defamer of our government and
its institutions. Let the emissaries of despotism find some other
means of subduing us than to "divide and conquer." Let the name of
Washington be revered; let his admonitions be heeded: let his commands
be obeyed, and his example followed. Let barbarism still be blessed
with the light of civilization; let the glory and dominion of freedom
be established, and the citizens of this Republic rest in security and
peace within their patriarchal bowers!
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