If this were the spirit generally displayed, and this the course pursued even by professors of religion among abolitionists, how long would it be before they would be joined by the great mass of the people in the free States, and by many in the slave States? But so much of a contrary spirit has been manifested, and such a different course pursued, that it has produced irritation, and excited prejudice in the minds of very many who would otherwise have cordially united in efforts for the removal of slavery. It was stated in the ‘Herald of Freedom,’ that emancipation was universally popular in New York in 1827. And the same feeling, I presume, then pervaded New England generally. Though Wilberforce in his zealous, and untiring, and finally successful efforts to abolish the slave trade, manifested the spirit which I have here recommended, yet others who were engaged with him, manifested a different spirit, and pursued a different course, which tended to embarrass this great philanthropist, and to retard the progress of the cause in which he was engaged. “The contest,” says his biographer, “in behalf of abolition, was throughout conducted by Mr. Wilberforce in a spirit of conciliation towards the supporters of the trade. Some amongst the West Indian body were his personal friends, and of all ‘we should not forget,’ he writes to Dr. Currie, ‘that Christian candor is due to those who carry it on. There may be, I doubt not, amongst them, many men of enlarged and humane minds. I trust that you have done me the justice to acquit me of having adopted any such indiscriminate and false judgment as that you oppose.’” His prospect of speedy success seemed to be encouraging. “The sympathy of the country was too much aroused to be patient of delay. Public meetings, and petitions numerously signed, multiplied both in England and Scotland.” But the levelling principles of the French revolution began to spread and were favored by many abolitionists, which excited great prejudice against their cause. “You will see Clarkson,” writes Mr. Wilberforce to Lord Muncaster; “caution him against talking of the French revolution, it will be ruin to our cause.” “Clarkson,” writes Dr. Milner, “will tell you that he had a long conversation with me. I wish him better health, and better notions in politics; no government can stand on such principles as he appeals to, and maintains. I am very sorry for it, because I see plainly, advantage is taken of such cases as his, in order to represent the friends of abolition as levellers. This is not the only instance where the converse of a proposition does not hold; levellers certainly are friends of abolition. Great mischief had then already risen to the cause. ‘What business had your friend Clarkson,’ asked Dundas ‘to attend the Crown and Anchor last Thursday? He could not have done a more mischievous thing to the cause you have taken in hand.’