Slavery in America. No. I.-JULY, 1836. THE EDITOR'S ADDRESS TO THE READER. IN commencing the present publication, the editor is desirous of stating the principles on which it will be conducted, and the objects it is designed to subserve. It has originated in the deep interest recently awakened amongst British Christians in the character and extent of the slave system existing amongst their American brethren. The real nature and operation of this unhallowed system has been but lately known. A presumption favourable to its character was derived from the religious profession of its apologists and defenders. The fact, that Christian men and Christian ministers gave it their countenance, and were deeply implicated in its support, led to a persuasion that its spirit must be mild, and its progress unmarked by those atrocities which had characterized the slavery of our own colonies. But recent communications have clearly established the painful and humiliating fact, that in America, the land of boasted freedom and religious privilege, the inherent depravity of the slave system has been signally displayed in effecting one of the most disastrous triumphs over the charities of our nature and the principles of our faith which history records. Its effect upon the slave and his master, upon the social community and the Christian church, is such as fully to identify it with that monstrous system of wickedness against which the energies and prayers of British Christians have been so lately arrayed. The knowledge of these facts has enkindled a deep and absorbing interest in a large portion of the religious people of this empire, and the inquiry is now becoming general, What can we do to rescue Christianity from reproach, and to save our American brethren from the natural consequences of their guilt in upholding this horrid system of impiety and wrong? It is to meet this inquiry, and to aid in the adoption of such measures as are calculated to arouse the conscience and to call forth the religious principles of the people of the United States, that this periodical is commenced. B It will treat slavery as a palpable violation of the divine law,- as an act of injustice towards man, and of impiety towards God,-a sin to be repented of and forsaken, rather than an evil to be mitigated or a misfortune to be mourned over. The imperative obligation of Christians to seek its destruction will be urgently enforced, and the delusive character of the pleas which are urged in defence of silence and inactivity will be fearlessly exposed. At the same time, it will be the anxious aim of the editor to avoid every expression that shall be unnecessarily offensive and irritating. He will endeavour to unite a temperate and conciliatory address with an uncompromising advocacy of those principles with which slavery is essentially incompatible. In his delineation of the American slave system, the editor will scrupulously adhere to facts: truth needs not the aid of fiction in order to the accomplishment of its benevolent designs; much less can its interests be advanced by the inventions of falsehood, or the reports of slander. The assistance he has engaged, and the sources of information which are open to him, leave no doubt on his mind of his being able to present to his readers an accurate and full-length portraiture of the slave system as it is interwoven with the social compacts and religious operations of America. It will be his especial aim to point out its injurious influence on the religious sensibilities and character of the people of that country, for which purpose an extensive correspondence will be conducted with Christian ministers and other gentlemen residing there. The present publication is also designed to be a magazine of information, from which American abolitionists and their countrymen at large may learn what is taking place amongst us in reference to this great moral question. The movements of religious bodies in their intercourse with America, together with the resolutions passed at various meetings throughout the country, will be faithfully recorded; and no effort will be spared by which the moral influence of British Christians may be made to bear on the extinction of an evil which defaces the beauty and enfeebles the energies of the transatlantic churches. While the editor's attention will be principally directed to American slavery, it will not be confined to it. He will supply intelligence respecting anti-slavery operations throughout the world, and will omit no opportunity of enforcing upon Christians, at home and abroad, by every argument derived from religious principle and political expediency, the sacred duty of immediate and total emancipation. Should To such as approve of his design, the editor appeals for support. the public patronize his undertaking, he will rejoice in the opportunity afforded him of again advocating a cause, for which he formerly sacrificed health, and endangered his ministerial existence. But should it be otherwise, he will have the satisfaction of having endeavoured, to the extent of his ability, and in the only mode of which his present circumstances admit, to discharge a duty which conscience deems imperative, and in which all the purest sentiments of his heart find an appropriate sphere of operation. BRIEF NOTICES OF THE PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE OF THE origin of the present Anti-slavery movement in the United States of America cannot be traced farther back than 1829, when the talented and intrepid William Lloyd Garrison publicly declared himself the zealous and uncompromising advocate of universal immediate emancipation. Previously to that period, many individuals had pleaded the cause of the oppressed slaves in North America with great fervour and ability, but none had distinguished himself more than Benjamin Lundy, whose self-denying labours in behalf of oppressed humanity have won for him the admiration of all who have marked his course. In August, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison issued proposals for publishing his celebrated newspaper, "THE LIBERATOR." This production, full of energetic appeal and heart-stirring eloquence, was eminently calculated to awaken public attention to the great moral enterprise in which he had engaged, and to which he had solemnly devoted his talents and his life. He took his stand on the inalienable rights of man, and the essential sinfulness of slavery, and fearlessly proclaimed the doctrine of "immediate and entire emancipation." It was Mr. Garrison's intention to have published his paper at Washington, "the mother of abominations" in all that respects American slavery, but was prevented from carrying his design into effect by the removal of "THE GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION," edited by his friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. Lundy, to the seat of the national government. He therefore determined to unfurl "the Standard of Emancipation in the eyes of the nation within sight of Bunker Hill, and in the birth-place of Liberty."-BOSTON. The first number of "THE LIBERATOR" was issued on the first of January, 1831, and forms an epoch in the history of American Slavery. In this powerfully-written paper he says: "I shall not array myself as the political partizan of any man. In defending the great cause of human rights, I wish to derive the assistance of all religions and of all parties." "I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population." "I am in earnest -I will not equivocate-I will not excuse-I will not retreat a single inchAND I WILL BE HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the dead." In a beautiful address to the slaves he says: "Not by the sword shall your deliverance be; In the succeeding number Mr. Garrison says: "We do not give up our country as sealed over to destruction, nor our countrymen as incorrigibly wicked. We have unshaken reliance in the omnipotence of truth. We still believe that the demands of justice will be satisfied; that the voice of mercy will melt the most adamantine hearts; and that the land will be redeemed and regenerated through an enlightened and energetic public opinion. As long as there remains a single copy of the Declaration of American Independence, or of the Bible, in our land, we will not despair." Steady to his purpose, depending on the goodness of his cause and the divine blessing-in the face of opposition unparalleled for its malignity, extent, and continuance, in modern times-in prison and out of prison-and with the prospect of a violent death continually before him, this extraordinary man has for six years been the pole-star of abolition to his countrymen; and has succeeded in establishing the cause of human rights among them on an imperishable basis. After twelve months of unceasing labour, privation, and suffering, Mr. Garrison had the happiness to unite with a few other noble-minded individuals, on the 1st January, 1832, in the establishment of "THE NEW ENGLAND ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY." This was an important point gained to the cause of abolition, inasmuch as this Society became the nucleus of other associations of a similar character, and finally led to the formation of that magnificent institution, “THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY." The great principles enunciated, and the objects set forth, in the preamble and constitution of the Society, enforced in a powerful address to the public, became the text book of the abolitionists throughout the land. The following passages, extracted from that address, will show the spirit in which its managers proposed to carry on its operations. "The object of our Society," say they," is neither war nor sedition. Although the sufferings of that class of our brethren for whose rights we plead, are immeasurably greater than would be deemed sufficient with any other people to gird on the armour and march to the field of battle and of blood; yet, we hope ever to imbibe the spirit of Him who says, 'Resist not evil''they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.' Governed by such a spirit, the weapons of our warfare can never be carnal. The only influence we can exert must be that of moral suasion, and not of coercion. In the truth, and the God of truth alone, we trust for the success of our exertions; and with the truth, and in the name of the God of truth, we plead for the cause of humanity." "The fundamental principle upon which our constitution is based, is our SAVIOUR'S GOLDEN RULE: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye cven so to them.' Hence the grand articles of our creed: 'That God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." * * * * * "We believe that slavery is an evil now; and, of course, the slaves ought to be now emancipated every principle which proves slavery unjust, an evil, and a curse, equally demonstrates the duty of immediate manumission." Such are the principles and spirit in which the New England Anti-slavery Society entered upon its noble career. Uncheered by the countenance of the influential-unsupported by the gold of the wealthy-unsustained even by the prayers of the church-execrated at the south, and despised at the north-it circulated the truth; it brought "to light the hidden works of darkness;" it put the brand of moral reprobation on the slave system; and, under the divine blessing, has already achieved a great triumph for humanity. At the first anniversary meeting of the Society it was resolved: "That the formation of a National Anti-Slavery Society is essential to the complete regeneration of public sentiment on the subject of slavery, and to the speedy overthrow of that iniquitous system; and that the board of managers be authorized to call a national meeting of the friends of abolition for the purpose of organizing such a Society, at such time and place as they shall deem expedient." In the report, of the managers presented to this meeting is the following passage: "The immediate abolition of slavery will purify the churches at the south, which are now red with innocent blood, and 'filled with all unrighteousness.' It is impossible that religion should prosper, when the pastors and members of churches trade in the souls of men! How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The whole head is sick, the whole heart is faint.' Now abolish slavery, and the gospel will have free course, run, and be glorified; salvation will flow in a current broad and deep; and for a short time only can it be reproachfully said, that there exist two millions of slaves in a Christian land." In the early part of the year 1833, Mr. Garrison was deputed to this country on an Anti-slavery mission. It is needless to add how well he executed the duties devolved on him. Whilst here he effectually exposed the nature, operations, and tendencies of the American Colonization Society. He showed that, notwithstanding all its specious pretences, it was founded on prejudice against colour, and was practically, if not essentially, a pro-slavery institution. He took with him, on his return to his native land, the celebrated "Protest" against it, signed by Wilberforce, Macaulay, Buxton, Cropper, George Stephen, and other leading abolitionists. The publication of that important document in the United States fell like a thunder-bolt on that infamous scheme. Its most active, intelligent, and conscientious supporters are rapidly withdrawing themselves from its pernicious influence, and arraying themselves on the side of the abolitionists. Such men as Birney and Thome, Jay and Smith, have given in their adhesion to the principles of the American Anti-slavery Society. The two first were slave-holders in Kentucky, and both have manumitted their slaves, and are now efficient labourers in the cause of negro emancipation. Judge Jay has written an elaborate work on Colonization and Abolition, in which he fully detects and exposes the character of the former, and establishes the claims of the latter to the zealous support of American philanthropists. Gerrit Smith, until a recent period a pillar of the Colonization Society, has now become the munificent supporter of its antagonist, the American Anti-slavery Society. Other triumphs of a similar nature might be recorded, but these are given to show the class of men who are now rallying round the standard of immediate and entire emancipation in America, and who are destined to deliver their country from the disgrace and curse of slavery. It was during this year, also, that the New York City Anti-slavery Society was formed, and "THE EMANCIPATOR," a weekly abolition publication, issued. This new auxiliary in the good cause was chiefly supported by that eminent philanthropist, Arthur Tappan; and is now the official organ of the American Anti-slavery Society, having a very extensive circulation throughout the whole country, and exercising a most powerful influence, by the admirable spirit and |