We are accustomed to say, that the
mass of men are unprepared; but improvement is slow, because the few
are not materially wiser or better than the many. It is not so
important that many should be as good as you, as that there be some
absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.
There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the
war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who,
esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down
with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what
to do, and do nothing; who even postpone the question of freedom to
the question of free trade, and quietly read the prices-current
along with the latest advices from Mexico, after dinner, and, it may
be, fall asleep over them both. What is the price-current of an honest
man and patriot today? They hesitate, and they regret, and sometimes
they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with effect. They
will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the evil, that they may
no longer have it to regret. At most, they give only a cheap vote, and
a feeble countenance and God-speed, to the right, as it goes by
them.
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