" Still thinking of the sanction which
the Constitution gives to slavery, he says, "Because it was a part
of the original compact- let it stand." Notwithstanding his special
acuteness and ability, he is unable to take a fact out of its merely
political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely to be
disposed of by the intellect- what, for instance, it behooves a man to
do here in America today with regard to slavery- but ventures, or is
driven, to make some such desperate answer as the following, while
professing to speak absolutely, and as a private man- from which
what new and singular code of social duties might be inferred? "The
manner," says he, "in which the governments of those States where
slavery exists are to regulate it is for their own consideration,
under their responsibility to their constituents, to the general
laws of propriety, humanity, and justice, and to God. Associations
formed elsewhere, springing from a feeling of humanity, or any other
cause, have nothing whatever to do with it. They have never received
any encouragement from me, and they never will."
They who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up its
stream no higher, stand, and wisely stand, by the Bible and the
Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humility; but
they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that
pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage
toward its fountain-head.
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