The Irrepressible Conflict and Impending Crisis [pp. 531-551]

THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT
perpetrate similar atrocities upon the people of the South.
Great Britain herself was not free from these commotions and
upheavings. In Ireland they resulted in rebellion, of which
the lamented Emmet was a distinguished victim. The foreign
wars in which she was engaged under the guidance of Pitt
kept them in obeyance. The splendid philosophical disserta tion of Burke on the French revolution could not quiet them.
When, from the cause I have stated, in the way I have stated,
a change similar to that which we have seen occurred in our
own country, these occurred in Great Britain. Then Wilber force, not the simple-minded enthusiast we have been taught
to consider him, but Wilberforce the statesman, in all the
strategy of statesmanship, rode in the whirlwind and directed
the storm, so that it spent the contents of its devouring energy
upon the African slavery of Jamaica. The government, still
having the power, prevented the criminal atrocities of San Domingo and saved the lives of her subjects. True, she lost all
income from a magnificent province, and sunk millions of
money, yet what was that in comparison of the peace and stability of her home government? Seeing then, that wherever
civil commotions and upheavings have engendered, in other
countries, as the same causes have in our own, hostility to the
institution of African slavery, which it has everywhere destroyed, except as yet in the South; and seeing it is here the
foundation upon which our social and political existence de.
pend-the question is, what. in this great crisis of our affairsin this hour of extremest peril-shall be done for our selfpreservation? Some are prepared to rely upon the Union government as able, willing, and powerful enough to shield us
against the threatened dangers. But this would be an admission of our weakness, an admission that we are unable to
defend our soil, our homes, and our firesides; an admission
which.would cause the very women of the land to despise us.
And it is a fact which all history attests, that those unable to
defend their possessions will soon have none to defend. Besides, the oppression of such protection might become such as
to drive us to strive to resist it, when it will be impossible, for
the armed men in our midst would soon be upon us, and a
military despotism, the last phial of wrath, would be poured
out upon our devoted head. But aside from all this, the Union
government is soon to pass into the hands of those who will be
placed in power because of their hostility to our rights and
institutions. Let no man hug a hope so delusive to his bosom,
a hope more fatal, if real, than delusive. Then there are those
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