West India Islands, which so triumphantly falsifies the predictions, that bankruptcy, violence, bloodshed, and utter ruin would follow the liberation of their slaves.  We point these fearful and unbelieving ones to the fact of the very favorable influence of the abolition of slavery on the price of real estate in those islands; to that of the present rapid multiplication of schools and churches in them; to the fact, that since the abolition of slavery, on the first day of August 1834, not a white man in all those islands has been struck down by the arm of a colored man; and then we ask them whether in view of such facts, they are not prepared to believe, that God connects safety with obedience, and that it is best to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding.”

On the subject of “a dissolution of the Union,” I have only to say, that, on the one hand, there is nothing in my judgment, which, under God, would tend so much to preserve our Republic, as the carrying out into all our social, political and religious institutions of its great foundation principle, that “all men are created equal;” and that, on the other hand, the flagrant violation of that principle in the system of slavery, is doing more than all thing, else to hasten the destruction of the Republic.  I am aware, that one of the doctrines of the South is, that “slavery is the corner-stone of the republican edifice.”  But, if it be true, that our political institutions harmonize with, and are sustained by slavery, then the sooner we exchange them for others the better.  I am aware, that it is said, both at the North and at the South, that it is essential to the preservation of the Union.  But, greatly as I love the Union, and much as I would sacrifice for its righteous continuance, I cannot hesitate to say, that if slavery be an indispensable cement, the sooner it is dissolved the better.

I am not displeased, that you call ours “a bloody road”—­for this language does not necessarily implicate our motives; but I am greatly surprised that you charge upon us the wicked and murderous “purpose” of a forcible abolition.  In reply to this imputation, I need only refer you to the Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society—­to the Declaration of the Convention which framed it—­and to our characters, for pledges, that we design no force, and are not likely to stain our souls with the crime of murder.  That Constitution says:  “This society will never, in any way, countenance the oppressed in vindicating their rights by resorting to physical force.”  The Declaration says “Our principles forbid the doing of evil that good may come, and lead us to reject, and to entreat the oppressed to reject, the use of all carnal weapons for deliverance from bondage.  Our measures shall be such only, as the opposition of moral purity to moral corruption—­the destruction of error by the potency of truth—­the overthrow of prejudice by the power of love—­and the