Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, vol 1 | Page 4

book. Incredible as it may seem to those who are without
prejudice, it is nevertheless a fact that this book was condemned by
some religious newspapers in the United States as anti-Christian, and
its author associated with infidels and disorganizers; and had not it
been for the decided expression of the mind of English Christians, and
of Christendom itself, on this point, there is reason to fear that the
proslavery power of the United States would have succeeded in putting
the book under foot. Therefore it is peculiarly gratifying that so full an
indorsement has been given the work, in this respect, by eminent
Christians of the highest character in Europe; for, however some in the
United States may affect to despise what is said by the wise and good
of this kingdom and the Christian world, they do feel it, and feel it
intensely." In answer to an inquiry by Dr. M'Neile as to the mode in
which southern Christians defended the institution, Dr. Stowe remarked
that "a great change had taken place in that respect during the last thirty
years. Formerly all Christians united in condemning the system; but of
late some have begun to defend it on scriptural grounds. The Rev. Mr.
Smylie, of Mississippi, wrote a pamphlet in the defensive; and
Professor Thornwell, of South Carolina, has published the most candid
and able statement of that argument which has been given. Their main
reliance is on the system of Mosaic servitude, wholly unlike though it
was to the American system of slavery. As to what this American
system of slavery is, the best documents for enlightening the minds of
British Christians are the commercial newspapers of the slaveholding
states. There you see slavery as it is, and certainly without any
exaggeration. Read the advertisements for the sale of slaves and for the
apprehension of fugitives, the descriptions of the persons of slaves, of
dogs for hunting slaves, &c., and you see how the whole matter as
viewed by the southern mind. Say what they will about it, practically
they generally regard the separation of families no more than the
separation of cattle, and the slaves as so much property, and nothing

else. Their own papers show that the pictures of the internal slave trade
given in Uncle Tom, so far from being overdrawn, fall even below the
truth. Go on, then, in forming and expressing your views on this subject.
In laboring for the overthrow of American slavery you are pursuing a
course of Christian duty as legitimate as in laboring to suppress the
suttees of India, the cannibalism of the Fejee Islands, and other
barbarities of heathenism, of which human slavery is but a relic. These
evils can be finally removed by the benign influence of the love of
Christ, and no other power is competent to the work."
PUBLIC MEETING IN LIVERPOOL--APRIL 13.
The Chairman, (A. HODGSON, Esq.,) in opening the proceedings, thus
addressed Mrs. Beecher Stowe: "The modesty of our English ladies,
which, like your own, shrinks instinctively from unnecessary publicity,
has devolved on me, as one of the trustees of the Liverpool Association,
the gratifying office of tendering to you, at then request, a slight
testimonial of their gratitude and respect. We had hoped almost to the
last moment that Mrs. Cropper would have represented, on this day, the
ladies with whom she has cooperated, and among whom she has taken
a distinguished lead in the great work which you had the honor and the
happiness to originate. But she has felt with you that the path most
grateful and most congenial to female exertion, even in its widest and
most elevated range, is still a retired and a shady path; and you have
taught us that the voice which most effectually kindles enthusiasm in
millions is the still small voice which comes forth from the sanctuary of
a woman's breast, and from the retirement of a woman's closet--the
simple but unequivocal expression of her unfaltering faith, and the
evidence of her generous and unshrinking self-devotion. In the same
spirit, and as deeply impressed with the retired character of female
exertion, the ladies who have so warmly greeted your arrival in this
country have still felt it entirely consistent with the most sensitive
delicacy to make a public response to your appeal, and to hail with
acclamation your thrilling protest against those outrages on our
common nature which circumstances have forced on your observation.
They engage in no political discussion, they embark in no public
controversy; but when an intrepid sister appeals to the instincts of
women of every color and of every clime against a system which
sanctions the violation of the fondest affections and the disruption of

the tenderest ties; which snatches the clinging wife from the agonized
husband, and the child