Some Recollections of Our Antislavery ConflictMay, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph)
History
Some Recollections of Our Antislavery Conflict
May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph)
Antislavery movements -- United States
1. “_Resolved_, That the American Unitarian Association, desirous
that the pecuniary or other aid rendered by them from time to time
to individuals and societies in the slaveholding sections of our
country should not be misunderstood or misconstrued, do hereby
declare their conviction that the institution of slavery, as
existing in this country, is contrary to the will of God, to the
Gospel of Christ (especially to the views which _we_ entertain
of it), to the rights of man, and to every principle of justice
and humanity; and in a spirit not of dictation, but of friendly
remonstrance and entreaty, would call upon those whom they may
address, as believers in one God and Father of all, to bear a
faithful testimony against slavery.
2. “_Resolved_, That the Executive Committee be, and they hereby
are, requested to transmit a copy of the preceding resolution to
each of our auxiliary Associations, and to such societies in the
slaveholding sections of the country as may from time to time
receive pecuniary aid from this Association.”
Dr. J. H. Morison objected to any action by the meeting. “1st. Because
we shall thereby lose our influence at the South. 2d. Because we shall
convert the Association into an Abolition Society. 3d. Because it would
be a dastardly proceeding, at our distance from the scene of danger, to
utter sentiments hostile to slavery, with which the Southern Unitarian
societies might be identified.”
Dr. E. S. Gannett said that the Association never contemplated any
action on slavery. It was contrary to the objects of its formation.
It would also be an invasion of the rights of conscience,--being
the setting up of a creed with reference to this subject. Moreover,
he said, it would be injurious to the slaves. Ten years ago their
bondage was much lighter than at present. And then it would be to
identify ourselves with the Abolitionists of the free States, whom he
most unsparingly and vehemently condemned, and said there was little
comparative need for us to go South to rebuke an evil, when we had such
a “hellish spirit alive and active here in our very midst, even in New
England.”
Hon. S. C. Phillips, of Salem, was not in favor of such action as the
resolutions proposed, but still thought we should take some action, and
very properly in connection with this case of the Savannah church we
should present, as we fairly might, our views on the whole subject of
slavery. He said there had been great error in our so long silence on
the subject. Our leading policy had been to avoid it, and much injury,
and the prevention of much good, had been the consequence. “The time
has come,” said he, “when no man can be silent everywhere, and at all
times, on this subject without guilt.”
Mr. Phillips offered a series of resolutions instead of Mr. May’s.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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