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But there is an incalcuiable difference be-
tween the original formation Of society, and
a long existing organized society. with It's
ancient laws, institutions and establishments
Now, great as | acknowledge, in my opin-
ion, the evils Of slavery are, they are moth
ing, absolutely nothing, In comparison with
the far greater evils which would inevitably
flow from sudden general and indiscrim-
mate emancipation. La some Of the States
the number OF slaves apProximates towards
an equality with that of the whites. in one or
two they surpass them. What would be the
condition of the two races in those States
upon the suppositien Of an immediate eman-
cipatlon Does any man suppose that
they would become blended into one homo
genous mass? Does any man recommend
ANAL gamaton-tha revolving admxture
alike offensive TO God and man2 For those
whom He, by their physical properties, had
made unlike and put asunGer, we may,
without presumptiousness suppose were ne


ser intended TO be joined together in one of
the holiest rites And let me tell YOU, sir.
if you do not already know it, that such are
the feeling -preJudlces, If you please (and
what man claiming to be a Statesman will
overlook. or disregard, the deep seated and
unconquerable prejudices of the People) in
The slave States that no human law could
enforce union between the two races.


What then would certainly happen A
struggle for political ascendency; the blacks
seeking to acquire, aad the whites to main
tain possession of the government. Upon
the suppositon ofa general Immediate eman-
cipation, in those States where the blacks
outnumber the whites, they would have
do h,,t sh.ar
of the same Declaration of independence,
as Dorr and his deluded democratic follow
ers recently did in Rhode Island, accor-
ding to which an underlined majority have
the right, at their pleasure, to subvert an
existing government and ins i.ute new one,
in lis place. and then the whites would be
brought in complete subiection to the blacks2
contest would inevitably ensue between
the two races, civil war; carnage, pilage,
confiagration, devastation and the ultimate
determination or expulsion Of the blacks


Nothing Is more certain. And are not these
evils far greater than the mild and continu-
al improving state Of slavery which exists in
this country2 | say continually improving;
for if this gratifying progress in the ameli-
oration ofthe condition of the slaves has been
checked in some of the States, the RESPONSE


biIitv must attach to the unfortunate agita-
tion OF the subject Of abolition. In conse-
quence of it, Incl eaSed rigor in the police
/ further restraints have been impose; and
do believe that gradual emancipation (the
only method ofliberation that has ever been
thought safe or wise by any body in any of
the slave States) has been postponed half a
century.


Without any knowledge of the relations
! In which | stand to my slaves OF their indi-


vidual condition. you, MIR MendenhaI, and
| your associates who have been active in get
! ting up this petiticn call upon me forthwith


TO lIberate the whole of them. Now let me
tell you that some half dozen of them, from
age, decrepitude or infirmity, are wholly un-
able to gain livelihood for themselves, and
are heavy charge upon me- Do you think
that L should conform to the dictates of hu-
manlty, by ridding myself of that charge


and sending them forth into the world, with
the boon ofliberty. to end a wretched exis-
tence IN starvation2 Another class is COM
posed of helpless infants. with or without i'm
provident mothers Do you believe as a
christian that should perform my duty to-
wards them, by abandoning them to their
fate2 Then, there is another class who would
not accept their freedom If | would give it
to them. l have for many years owned
slave that | wished would leave me but he
will no.. What shall do with that class2


What my treatment of my slaves is, you
NAV learn from Charles, who accompanies
me on this journey, and who has travelled
with me over the greater part of the United
States and in both the Canadas, and has had
Thousand opportunities. if he had chosen to
embrace them, to leave me- Excuse me-
Mr. Mendenhall, for saying that my slaves
are as well fed and clad, look as seak aud
hearty, and are quite as civil and respectful
in their demeanor, and as little disposed to
wound the feelings OF any one, as you are.


lG.eat and continued laughter and ap-
plause.I


Let me recommend you. sir, to initiate the
benevolent example of the society of friends
ia the midst of which you reside. Meek.
gentle, embued with the genuine spirit of
our benign religion, whilst in principle they
are firmly opposed to slavery, they do not
seek TO accomplish its extinction by foul ep-
ithets, coarse and vulgar abuse and gross
calumny. Their ways do not lead through
blood, revolution and disunion. Their
broad and comprehensive philanthropy en-
braces, as they believe, the good and the hap