An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans Part 20

The union of individual influence produces a vast amount of moral force, which is not the less powerful because it is often unperceived. A mere change in the _direction_ of our efforts, without any increased exertion, would in the course of a few years, produce an entire revolution of public feeling. This slow but sure way of doing good is almost the only means by which benevolence can effect its purpose.

_Sixty thousands_ pet.i.tions have been addressed to the English parliament on the subject of slavery, and a large number of them were signed by women. The same steps here would be, with one exception, useless and injudicious; because the general government has no control over the legislatures of individual States. But the District of Columbia forms an exception to this rule. _There_ the United States have power to abolish slavery; and it is the duty of the citizens to pet.i.tion year after year, until a reformation is effected. But who will present remonstrances against slavery? The Hon. John Q. Adams was intrusted with fifteen pet.i.tions for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia; yet clearly as that gentleman sees and defines the pernicious effects of the system, he offered the pet.i.tions only to protest against them! Another pet.i.tion to the same effect, intrusted to another Ma.s.sachusetts representative, was never noticed at all. "Brutus is an honorable man:--So are they all--all honorable men." Nevertheless, there is, in this popular government, a subject on which it is _impossible_ for the people to make themselves heard.

By publis.h.i.+ng this book I have put my mite into the treasury. The expectation of displeasing all cla.s.ses has not been unaccompanied with pain. But it has been strongly impressed upon my mind that it was a duty to fulfil this task; and worldly considerations should never stifle the voice of conscience.

THE END.