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Or useful serving…man and instrument
To any sovereign state throughout the world。〃
He who gives himself entirely to his fellow…men appears to them
useless and selfish； but he who gives himself partially to them is
pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist。
How does it become a man to behave toward this American
government to…day？ I answer； that he cannot without disgrace be
associated with it。 I cannot for an instant recognize that
political organization as my government which is the slave's
government also。
All men recognize the right of revolution； that is； the right to
refuse allegiance to； and to resist； the government； when its
tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable。 But almost
all say that such is not the case now。 But such was the case； they
think； in the Revolution of '75。 If one were to tell me that this
was a bad government because it taxed certain foreign commodities
brought to its ports； it is most probable that I should not make an
ado about it； for I can do without them。 All machines have their
friction； and possibly this does enough good to counterbalance the
evil。 At any rate； it is a great evil to make a stir about it。 But
when the friction comes to have its machine； and oppression and
robbery are organized； I say； let us not have such a machine any
longer。 In other words； when a sixth of the population of a nation
which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves； and a
whole country is unjustly overrun and conquered by a foreign army；
and subjected to military law； I think that it is not too soon for
honest men to rebel and revolutionize。 What makes this duty the
more urgent is the fact that the country so overrun is not our own；
but ours is the invading army。
Paley； a common authority with many on moral questions； in his
chapter on the 〃Duty of Submission to Civil Government；〃 resolves
all civil obligation into expediency； and he proceeds to say that
〃so long as the interest of the whole society requires it； that is；
so long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed
without public inconveniency； it is the will of God。。。 that the
established government be obeyed； and no longer。。。。 This principle
being admitted； the justice of every particular case of resistance
is reduced to a computation of the quantity of the danger and
grievance on the one side； and of the probability and expense of
redressing it on the other。〃 Of this； he says； every man shall
judge for himself。 But Paley appears never to have contemplated
those cases to which the rule of expediency does not apply； in which
a people； as well as an individual； must do justice； cost what it
may。 If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowning man； I must
restore it to him though I drown myself。 This； according to Paley；
would be inconvenient。 But he that would save his life； in such a
case； shall lose it。 This people must cease to hold slaves； and to
make war on Mexico； though it cost them their existence as a people。
In their practice； nations agree with Paley； but does any one
think that Massachusetts does exactly what is right at the present
crisis？
〃A drab of state； a cloth…o'…silver slut；
To have her train borne up； and her soul trail in the dirt。〃
Practically speaking； the opponents to a reform in Massachusetts are
not a hundred thousand politicians at the South； but a hundred
thousand merchants and farmers here； who are more interested in
commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity； and are not
prepared to do justice to the slave and to Mexico； cost what it may。
I quarrel not with far…off foes； but with those who； near at home；
co…operate with； and do the bidding of those far away； and without
whom the latter would be harmless。 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 to…day？ 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 Godspeed； to the
right； as it goes by them。 There are nine hundred and ninety…nine
patrons of virtue to one virtuous man； but it is easier to deal
with the real possessor of a thing than with the temporary guardian
of it。
All voting is a sort of gaming； like checkers or backgammon；
with a slight moral tinge to it； a playing with right and wrong；
with moral questions； and betting naturally accompanies it。 The
character of the voters is not staked。 I cast my vote； perchance；
as I think right； but I am not vitally concerned that that right
should prevail。 I am willing to leave it to the majority。 Its
obligation； therefore； never exceeds that of expediency。 Even
voting for the right is doing nothing for it。 It is only expressing
to men feebly your desire that it should prevail。 A wise man will
not leave the right to the mercy of chance； nor wish it to prevail
through the power of the majority。 There is but little virtue in
the action of masses of men。 When the majority shall at length vote
for the abolition of slavery； it will be because they are
indifferent to slavery； or because there is but little slavery left
to be abolished by their vote。 They will then be the only slaves。
Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his
own freedom by his vote。
I hear of a convention to be held at Baltimore； or elsewhere；
for the selection of a candidate for the Presidency； made up chiefly
of editors； and men who are politicians by profession； but I think；
what is it to any independent； intelligent； and respectable man what
decision they may come to？ Shall we not have the advantage of his
wisdom and honesty； nevertheless？ Can we not count upon some
independent votes？ Are there not many individuals in the country
who do not attend conventions？ But no： I find that the respectable
man； so called； has immediately drifted from his position； and
despairs of his country； when his country has more reason to despair
of him。 He forthwith