So say the millions of the North—and so say we.
But what is the rebellion that needs to be put down?
Why, the rebellion of the Confederated States—you will answer.
Yes. But what, and whose is that rebellion? You don't call the man a rebel, merely because he lives in one of those States, do you? You see no rebellion in those residing there, (if there be any,) who make" no resistance to the laws, or to the government, who disturb not the public property, but are peaceable and quiet?
Oh! no! Certainly not. But are there any such?
Yes. There are the Quakers, in the first place. They are not rebels, are they?
No. But there are not many of them.
But there are others in those States, besides Quakers, who are no more in favor of the rebellion than they are. We ought not to put them down, ought we?
Certainly not. Put down only the rebels.
Well, then, there are four millions of slaves. They have made no rebellion, have they?
No. We must put down only the rebels.
But who are they, except the slaveholders, and those who are under their control, or who are in sympathy with them?
Well. Nobody I suppose. But what of all that?
Just this, neighbor. Slaveholders are the chief rebels, the instigators of all the others, and all their rebellion comes of their being slaveholders. Had slavery been abolished years ago, there would have been no rebellion, would there?
No. I suppose not. I have always understood that the rebellion was raised by the principal slaveholders, because they thought their rights of slaveholding, as they call them, were not as fully protected as they desired.
Even so. It comes, then, you see, to just this. Slavery is at the bottom of it all, just as rum is at the bottom of the murders committed by a drunken man. Take away the rum, and the murderer becomes a sober man, and a safe neighbor. Just so, take away slavery, allow no man to be a slaveholder, and you will have no rebellions to be put down then.
Slavery, or more properly slaveholding, is, itself, the rebellion that needs to be put down. It is an act of lawlessness, a defiance of law, for one man to hold another man as a slave, subject to bis despotic, irresponsible control. The man that does this, and persists in it, and claims his right to be a slaveholder, is, in that very act, a rebel against all just government, and against the first principles upon which all government, all law, and all jurisprudence deserving the name—are founded. A community of such men are a community of rebels, upon the start, in the first place. So
long as they can control the government, and make it do their nefarious work, as they have done for the last fifty years, they will not make war upon it in the manner they now do. But the very moment that they think it is passing out of their control, the bloody flag of rebellion is raised, as w e have just witnessed.
The cry of "Down with Rebellion!" rightly interpreted, must mean — "Down with Slavery!" If it mean anything less than this, it all comes to nothing, and will do no manner of good.
If peace were made to-morrow, without abolishing slavery, the rebellion would be left in full blast, as it has been for fifty years past, and all the more dangerous and mischievous, because nothing was done against it. While Floyd, Davis and company were having full swing, and stealing all the money and arms they could lay hands on, without disturbance, we had quiet, peaceable times, didn't we? And all the wise politicians and grave Doctors of Divinity were crying out "Peace! Peace!" and contriving by concessions and compromises, and National Unity Societies, to keep at peace with them.
Just such a peace we should have again, if the war should close without the abolition of slavery.
Slavery is the rebellion to be put down.
Put that down, and the work is done—effectually, and for all coming time. Neglect to do that, and it were wiser to stop where we are, without expending either powder, money or life, in enacting a miserable farce, and making ourselves fools in the sight of mankind.
It would be strange, indeed, if that which is rebellion against God, and against humanity, could be anything short of rebellion against civil government, ordained of God, aud instituted by man, for the protection of humanity.
If the nation would "put down rebellion," it must, itself, cease its rebellion against God. And it does rebel against God every hour it neglects to obey God, by "breaking every yoke," "letting the oppressed go free," and "proclaiming liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof."—Principia.
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Above the large space is page 188, and below it is page 189.