But there is another peculiarity in the views of Abolitionists. We hold that the North is guilty of the crime of slaveholding--we assert that it is a _national_ sin: on the contrary, in thy book, I find the following acknowledgement:--‘_Most_ persons in the non-slaveholding States, have considered the matter of southern slavery as one in which they were no more called to interfere, than in the abolition of the press-gang system in England, or the tithe-system in Ireland.’ Now I cannot see how the same principles can produce such entirely different opinions. ‘Can a good tree bring forth corrupt fruit?’ This I deny, and cannot admit what thou art anxious to prove, viz. that ‘Public opinion may have been _wrong_ on this point, and yet _right_ on all those great _principles_ of rectitude and justice relating to slavery.’ If Abolition principles are generally adopted at the North, how comes it to pass, that there is no abolition action here, except what is put forth by a few despised fanatics, as they are called? Is there any living faith without works? Can the sap circulate vigorously, and yet neither blossoms put forth nor fruit appear? Again, I am told on the 7th page, that all Northern Christians believe it is a sin to hold a man in slavery for ‘_mere purposes of gain_;’ as if this was the _whole_ abolition principle on this subject. I can assure thee that Abolitionists do not stop here. Our principle is, that _no circumstances can ever justify_ a man in holding his fellow man as _property_; it matters not what _motive_ he may give for such a monstrous violation of the laws of God. The claim to him as _property_ is an annihilation of his right to himself, which is the foundation upon which all his other rights are built. It is high-handed robbery of Jehovah; for He has declared, ‘All souls are _mine_.’ For myself, I believe there are hundreds of thousands at the South, who do _not_ hold their slaves, by any means, as much ‘for purposes of gain,’ as they do from _the lust of power_: this is the passion that reigns triumphant there, and those who do not know this, have much yet to learn. Where, then, is the similarity in our views? I forbear for the present, and subscribe myself, Thine, but not in the bonds of gospel Abolitionism, A. E. GRIMKÉ. LETTER II. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION. BROOKLINE, Mass., _6th month, 17th, 1837_.