First—­A dissolution of the Union by the South would, in no manner, secure to her the object she has in view.—­The leaders at the South, both in the church and in the state, must, by this time, be too well informed as to the nature of the anti-slavery movement, and the character of those engaged in it, to entertain fears that, violence of any kind will be resorted to, directly or indirectly.[A] The whole complaint of the South is neither more nor less than this—­THE NORTH TALKS ABOUT SLAVERY.  Now, of all the means or appliances that could be devised, to give greater life and publicity to the discussion of slavery, none could be half so effectual as the dissolution of the Union because of the discussion.  It would astonish the civilized world—­they would inquire into the cause of such a remarkable event in its history;—­the result would be not only enlarged discussion of the whole subject, but it would bring such a measure of contempt on the guilty movers of the deed, that even with all the advantages of “their education, their polish, their munificence, their high honor, their undaunted spirit,” so eloquently set forth by the Hon. Mr. Hammond, they would find it hard to withstand its influence.  It is difficult for men in a good cause, to maintain their steadfastness in opposition to an extensively corrupt public sentiment; in a bad one, against public sentiment purified and enlightened, next to impossible, if not quite so.

[Footnote A:  “It is not,” says Mr. Calhoun, “that we expect the abolitionists will resort to arms—­will commence a crusade to deliver our slaves by force.”—­“Let me tell our friends of the South, who differ from us, that the war which the abolitionists wage against us is of a very different character, and far more effective.  It is waged, not against our lives, but our character.”  More correctly, Mr. C. might have said against a system, with which the slaveholders have chosen to involve their characters, and which they have determined to defend, at the hazard of losing them.]

Another result would follow the dissolution:—­Now, the abolitionists find it difficult, by reason of the odium which the principal slaveholders and their friends have succeeded in attaching to their name, to introduce a knowledge of their principles and measures into the great mass of southern mind.  There are multitudes at the South who would co-operate with us, if they could be informed of our aim.[A] Now, we cannot reach them—­then, it would be otherwise.  The united power of the large slaveholders would not be able longer to keep them in ignorance.  If the Union were dissolved, they would know the cause, and discuss it, and condemn it.

[Footnote A:  There is abundant evidence of this.  Our limits confine us to the following, from the first No. of the Southern Literary Journal, (Charleston, S.C.):—­“There are many good men even among us, who have begun to grow timid.  They think, that what the virtuous and high-minded men of the North look upon as a crime and a plague-spot, cannot be perfectly innocent or quite harmless in a slaveholding community.”