without any downright prohibition by their more politic teachers.  College societies will probably increase more rapidly hereafter; as, in addition to the removal or relaxation of former restraints, just referred to, the murder of Mr. Lovejoy, the assaults on the Freedom of speech and of the press, the prostration of the Right of petition in Congress, &c, &c, all believed to have been perpetrated to secure slavery from the scrutiny that the intelligent world is demanding, have greatly augmented the number of college abolitionists.  They are, for the most part, the diligent, the intellectual, the religious of the students.  United in societies, their influence is generally extensively felt in the surrounding region; dispersed, it seems scarcely less effective.  An instance of the latter deserves particular notice.

The Trustees and Faculty of one of our theological and literary institutions united for the suppression of anti-slavery action among the students.  The latter refused to cease pleading for the slave, as he could not plead for himself.  They left the institution; were providentially dispersed over various parts of the country, and made useful, in a remarkable manner, in advancing the cause of humanity and liberty.  One of these dismissed students, the son of a slaveholder, brought up in the midst of slavery, and well acquainted with its peculiarities, succeeded in persuading a pious father to emancipate his fourteen slaves.  After lecturing a long time with signal success—­having contracted a disease of the throat, which prevented him from further prosecuting his labors in this way—­he visited the West Indies, eighteen months ago, in company with another gentleman of the most ample qualifications, to note the operation of the British emancipation act.  Together, they collected a mass of facts—­now in a course of publication—­that will astonish, as it ought to delight, the whole south; for it shows, conclusively, that IMMEDIATE emancipation is the best, the safest, the most profitable, as it is the most just and honorable, of all emancipations.[A]

[Footnote A:  See Appendix, A.]

Another of these dismissed students is one of the secretaries of this society.  He has, for a long time, discharged its arduous and responsible duties with singular ability.  To his qualifications as secretary, he adds those of an able and successful lecturer.  He was heard, several times, before the joint committee of the Legislature of Massachusetts, a year ago, prior to the report of that committee, and to the adoption, by the Senate and House of Representatives, of their memorable resolutions in favor of the Power of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and of the Right of petition.

“5. What do you estimate the number of those who co-operate in the matter at?  What proportion do they bear in the population of the northern states, and what in the middle non-slaveholding states?  Are they increasing, and at what rate?”