Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/532

 ." And it was unanimously resolved, "that should the non-slaveholding states omit or refuse, at the ensuing meeting of their respective legislatures, to put a final stop to the proceedings of their abolition societies against the domestic peace of the south, and effectually prevent any further interference by them with our slave population, by efficient penal laws, it will then become the solemn duty of the whole south, in order to protect themselves and secure their rights and property against the unconstitutional combination of the non-slaveholding states, and the murderous designs of their abolitionists, to withdraw from the union."

In relation to the suspension of commercial intercourse, the Richmond Whig said: "The suggestion of acting upon fanaticism by withholding the profits of southern commerce from those engaged, either actively or by countenance, in propagating its designs, is obtaining extensive popularity. A general persuasion prevails of its efficacy. It is an argument which will carry more Weight than appeals to justice, humanity, and fraternal affection. It is never lost to mankind. Through the purse is the surest road to the understandings of men; especially, so we have been taught to believe, to the understandings of those with whom the south is now contending. Southern commerce is essential to the north. Can the south be blamed for cutting off the resources employed to disturb its tranquility, and overthrow its institutions? Where is the illiberally? Where is the injustice? That all should suffer where a part only are guilty, is to be deplored but not avoided. When the innocent feel the consequences, they will be stimulated to more active steps for the suppression of the wretches who have wrought so much mischief and engendered so much bad feeling

"The merchants are well disposed to the experiment; but they say its success depends upon the country, not the cities. Without the coöperation of the country citizens — without they put their shoulders to the wheel, and discourage the custom of buying goods in the north — they can do nothing. They are ready to promise, and to fulfill the promise, that, if the country will buy their goods, they shall have them as cheap and as good as the northern markets now supply. Let none be alarmed by the silly and traitorous clamor put up about the Union. The articles of Union, we presume, do not inhibit the south from caring for its own safety, or promoting its own prosperity."

Application was made to the postmaster-general to interpose his authority to prevent the transmission, by mail, of anti-slavery papers and documents. In answer to a request of a meeting in Petersburg, Virginia, to adopt in his department some regulation to this effect, Mr Kendall, under date of August 20, 1835, said it was not in his power, by any lawful regulation, to obviate the evil. Such a power, if any necessity for it existed, ought not to be vested in the head of the executive department. He, however, regarded the transmission, through the mail, of papers "tending to promote discontent, sedition, and servile war, from one state to another, as a violation of the spirit, if not. the letter, of the federal compact, which would justify, on the part of the injured states, any measure necessary to effect their exclusion." For the