I refer to the relation between the two races in the southern section, which constitutes a vital portion of her social organization.  Every portion of the North entertains views and feelings more or less hostile to it.  Those most opposed and hostile, regard it as a sin, and consider themselves under the most sacred obligation to use every effort to destroy it.  Indeed, to the extent that they conceive that they have power, they regard themselves as implicated in the sin, and responsible for not suppressing it by the use of all and every means.  Those less opposed and hostile, regarded it as a crime—­an offence against humanity, as they call it; and, although not so fanatical, feel themselves bound to use all efforts to effect the same object; while those who are least opposed and hostile, regard it as a blot and a stain on the character of what they call the Nation, and feel themselves accordingly bound to give it no countenance or support.  On the contrary, the southern section regards the relation as one which cannot be destroyed without subjecting the two races to the greatest calamity, and the section to poverty, desolation, and wretchedness; and accordingly they feel bound, by every consideration of interest and safety, to defend it.

This hostile feeling on the part of the North toward the social organization of the South long lay dormant, and it only required some cause to act on those who felt most intensely that they were responsible for its continuance, to call it into action.  The increasing power of this Government, and of the control of the northern section over all its departments, furnished the cause.  It was this which made the impression on the minds of many, that there was little or no restraint to prevent the Government from doing whatever it might choose to do.  This was sufficient of itself to put the most fanatical portion of the North in action, for the purpose of destroying the existing relation between the two races in the South.

The first organized movement toward it commenced in 1835.  Then, for the first time, societies were organized, presses established, lecturers sent forth to excite the people of the North, and incendiary publications scattered over the whole South, through the mail.  The South was thoroughly aroused.  Meetings were held everywhere, and resolutions adopted, calling upon the North to apply a remedy to arrest the threatened evil, and pledging themselves to adopt measures for their own protection, if it was not arrested.  At the meeting of Congress, petitions poured in from the North, calling upon Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and to prohibit, what they called, the internal slave trade between the States—­announcing at the same time, that their ultimate object was to abolish slavery, not only in the District, but in the States and throughout the Union.  At this period, the number engaged in the agitation was small, and possessed little or no personal influence.