A Review of Uncle Toms Cabin | Page 8

that the abolition excitement was
first set on foot in this country by British influence. There has been a
constant effort in England, to array the North against the South. "We

have the best of reasons for believing, that her original object was the
severance of this Union." One English journal says, "The people of
England will never rest, till slavery is terminated in the United States;"
and another says, "Slavery can only be reached through the Federal
Constitution." That is, slavery can only be reached, by destroying our
present form of government, and dissolving our Union. The English are
well aware, that they cannot reach slavery in this country, except by
dissolving our Union and involving us in civil war; in which war, of
course, they expect to take an active part. In the name of God, are we
prepared for all this? Have we ever counted the cost? I hope I shall be
pardoned for using strong language, when I allude to this subject. It is
enough. Who that loves his country, can keep cool, while reflecting on
these things? Is it not almost enough to make a Christian swear? No my
friends we will not swear about it; but I entreat you to keep your eyes
upon that old rascal, John Bull. He needs watching, and his Northern
allies in the United States, are as vile scamps as he is.
I might quote from English journals, and English statesmen, to show
what her feelings, views, and intentions have been in relation to this
country; but I forbear at present. We know that her unwarrantable
interference with the civil institutions of our country, did not originate
in any sympathy that she felt for the oppressed African in our midst.
The idea is ridiculous. The whole history of the English government
proves the contrary. Talk about the English government sympathizing
with the oppressed of other nations. It is nonsense--a ridiculous
inconsistency. No part of the English government can be pointed out, in
which there is not worse slavery in some form or other, than there is in
the United States:--yes, worse, far worse, than negro-slavery in the
Southern States. What says Southy, the English poet, of the great mass
of the English poor? He says that "they are deprived, in childhood, of
all instruction, and enjoyment. They grow up without decency--without
comfort--without hope--without morals, and without shame." The
North British Review expressed similar sentiments. If I am correctly
informed, negro slavery, itself, is not extinct in the British dominions. I
am aware that they call it an apprenticeship, but it is slavery
notwithstanding. Yes, it is involuntary slavery and nothing else. But yet
she would have us believe that she feels an intense interest in African
slavery, in the United States. How does it happen that she is so

interested about slavery among us, but is deaf to the cry of her own
enslaved and starving millions, in British India, and other parts of her
dominions? It is said that in 1838, five hundred thousand perished of
famine, in a single district, in British India; and that too within the
reach of English granaries locked up, and guarded by a military force!
This is a fair sample of English benevolence; _alias_, English cupidity.
And what says Allison the English historian of wretched Ireland? Her
history and her sufferings are familiar to every one. He avows the
opinion, in his History of Europe, "that it would be a real blessing to its
inhabitants, in lieu of the destitution of freedom, to obtain the
protection of slavery." And Murray the English traveler says of the
slaves of the United States, "if they could forget that they are slaves,
their condition is decidedly better than the great mass of European
laborers." And what said Dr. Durbin a few years ago of the British
nation? He told us that "the mass of the people were slaves, and the few
were masters without the responsibility of masters." He proceeds to tell
us, that the condition of the slaves of the United States, is in every
respect better than millions in Ireland and England. This is the
testimony of a distinguished minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, (North,) whom, nobody will suspect of any undue partiality for
Southern slave-holders. When we look at the "degradation, the slavery,
the exile, the hunger, the toil, the filth and the nakedness," of the
English poor, we are astonished at the brazen impudence of that cruel,
godless, and hypocritical nation! Nor are we less surprised, when we
think of the ungodly crew of fools and fanatics in the United States,
who are leagued with that monster England to overthrow their own
government! I have said, and I boldly reiterate the assertion, that
slavery exists in every part of the British dominions,