A Review of Uncle Toms Cabin | Page 4

and wicked
misrepresentations of the institution of slavery in the southern States
ever become accredited in the northern section of the Union I fear the
consequence. I sometimes survey the condition of my country with
consternation and dismay, and tremble in prospect of what may yet
occur. History records the rise and fall of nations. We read of
revolutions, butcheries, and blood. We have flattered ourselves that our
beloved country for ages to come, and probably forever, is destined to
escape these calamities. But, O God! how mortifying the reflection that
there are now, in our midst, religious fanatics and political demagogues,
who for a little paltry gain or notoriety would plunge us into all these
evils!
I have repeatedly, in the following pages charged the abolition faction
with revolutionary designs and tendencies. Some may doubt the truth
and justice of the charge; but I beg such persons to recollect that
abolition writers and orators have, times without number, avowed an
intention to overthrow this government; but it matters not what their
avowed designs and intentions are, for their lawless and seditious
course leads directly to that result. If they ever succeed in carrying out
their plans and schemes we know that revolution and disunion will be
the consequence. It was remarked by Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New York,
on a certain occasion, that "abolitionists are seeking to destroy our

happy Union." Chancellor Walworth says, "They are contemplating a
violation of the rights of property secured by the Constitution, and
pursuing measures which must lead to civil war."
The union of these States is based on what has been called the slavery
compromise; and the Union would have never taken place, had not the
right to hold slave property been secured to the slave states, by a
provision in the Federal Constitution. Had not the free states
relinquished all right to interfere with slavery in the slave states, no
union of the slave and free states could ever have taken place. The right
to hold slave property, and to manage, control, and dispose of that
property in their own way, and at their own discretion, was secured to
the slave states by a solemn contract between the slave and
non-slaveholding states, and that contract binds every individual in this
nation, North and South. Slave property then, is held under the
protection of the supreme law of the nation, and any citizen invading
the rights of the South, is guilty of a civil trespass. Hence, all
interference with slavery by northern men, is a violation of the spirit, if
not of the letter of that constitutional compact, which binds these states
together. Any attempt by northern men, either direct or indirect, to
dispossess the South of her slave property, or in any way to endanger or
injuriously to affect their interests therein, is a violation of the supreme
law of the nation. It is an act of bad faith--of gross injustice, and none
but bigoted corrupt fanatics, and low political demagogues, would be
guilty of so base an act.
It is clear then, that the slave states never will yield to the requisitions
of abolitionists, and should that faction ever become the dominant party
in the free states, dissolution of the Union will be a necessary
consequence _Intelligent men_, who will persist in a course of conduct
so unjust, so illegal, with a perfect knowledge of the probable
consequences; are to all intents and purposes, as truly traitors to their
country, as was Benedict Arnold; and as such, they should be viewed
and treated. Mark my words, reader, I say, _intelligent men_, for nine
out of every ten among those who have been seduced into the abolition
net, are objects of pity, and not of contempt or indignation. Poor souls,
they are ignorant; it is, I suppose, their misfortune and not their fault.
In order that I may be clearly understood, I will reiterate tho foregoing
argument. Before the adoption of the Federal constitution, the states

were to a great extent sovereign and independent, and of course were in
a condition to settle terms on which to form a more perfect union. The
North and the South, otherwise, the slave-holding and the
non-slaveholding states met in convention to settle those terms. The
North in convention conceded to the South the right to hold slave
property; and the sole right of making all laws necessary for the
regulation of slavery. It was thus, we see, by a solemn contract or
agreement, that the South acquired exclusive right to control domestic
slavery within her borders. What right then, have the citizens of free
states, to intermeddle with it? They have none, as long as the Federal
Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The union of these states is
based on that instrument, and whenever