We shall now accomplish to the fullest extent the professed wish of Abolitionists, and see what would be the probable result! Suppose I possessed the power of granting, at the stroke of my pen, instantaneous emancipation to all the slaves in America, and were this moment to issue the following proclamation: "To all whom it may concern, greeting! I do hereby command and order, that all slaves throughout the Union be instantly set free, and they are now free accordingly!" Let us now ascend in a balloon and take a view of TWO MILLIONS AND A HALF, of poor, ignorant, pennyless, men, women, and children, cast abroad on the world, without a home--without a guide--without "caution, prudence, or judiciousness!" Is not this exactly what you want, Mr. Abolitionist? What awful consequences must ensue! Not so much to the whites, but more particularly to the poor ignorant people of colour! Can that be called friendship, or charity, or philanthropy, which would lead to such a result? Those ignorant, poor, unprotected, people have now _liberty_! Will _liberty_ cover them--feed them--protect them--stop the crying of the hungry child--or the cravings of the famished mother? What have they given for this liberty; and what have they got by it? They have given up, _peace_, _plenty_, _protection_, and _contentedness_! And they have got _liberty_, with starvation, anxiety, and want! What a glorious exchange! What a profitable bargain! How thankful they ought to be, to their pseudo-friends, the ABOLITIONISTS!
But come out now, Abolitionists, like men, and answer this question, "Are the slaves in the South, _now_ in a proper condition for immediate emancipation?" Are they, or are they not? Reflect upon the above picture, and then answer like men.--Do you reply, that you think they ought to have _first_ some education--some provision made for them--some arrangements to guard against possible consequences?--If this be your answer, I congratulate you on the first symptoms of restoration to sound mental health: I now entertain hopes of your speedy recovery, and ere you have read the last page of this humble treatise, I doubt not, but you and I will perfectly agree, and I will give you a certificate of health!
