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    1090 THE LEADER. [SaturdaV ,

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    THE WAR OP IDEAS. SUBMITTED TO ANTI-SLAV...

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    Skats To Siok T1ik Show. Tnio .Spirit I....

    notion has been abandoned , in obedience to the indignation which the bare idea had excited . The Morning Herald contradicts the report that such an idea was ever entertained ; but the occasion has been seized to re-arouse the national feeling . Suggestions have been made to omit the funeral altogether , or to put forth an announcement that Waterloo was buried with the Duke . The Times

    brings its own weight into the indignation movement , and imagines what the Puke himself would have said if he had been asked to discontinue the Waterloo banquet . Mr . Edmund Fry has been writing to the journal against the militia , and the Times makes the most of the quakcr rednctio ad ahsurdum , which that benevolent gentleman put forth at a tinie so inopportune for the peace

    party . Commerce and nationality are indeed contending for th ^ supremacy ; and , upon the whole , although cwnmeree has possessed the ground up to this moment , signs are not wanting that nationality is beginning to recover its footing . The death of the hero of Waterloo has been useful to both nationality and commerce ; but in different ways . The funeral of the Duke has revived associations which force the public mind to comprehend the relation of this country with France . We are compelled once more to raise the national flair ; the attempt to put it out of sight was going

    too far , and pacific commerce is obliged to disavow the purpose . If on no other place , at least at the tomb of Yfcllington , the flag must be elevated , with all its victorious recollections , all that may " offend the foreigner . " On the other hand , the show is turned by commerce to a pecuniary profit . From Charing Cross to St . Paul ' s , every shopkeeper intends to trade upon the pageant and its associations . Seats at so much a-piece derive a price from Waterloo which the lessors have disclaimed , but which they do not repudiate while it is an element in their profit .

    Possibly , indeed , they might introduce the future as well as the past as an element in the cost of admission . Ilalf-a-guinea for a piece of board next to a chimney-pot is a long s \ im , when it is only to look at Waterloo on its path to the grave . But the piece of gold might be cheerfully paid , if the possibilities were brought into the bill of the play . There are incidents that might even reconcile men to pay 150 ? . for a room—for a private box , as it were , to see the spectacle . It has been surmised that a gallant

    neighbour , burning to avenge and redeem Waterloo for his country ' s glory , would not bo indisposed to seize the peculiarly interesting occasion of the funereal pageant of the conqueror ; and the anticipated invasion of the French might by possibility take placo on that very day . The isth of November might redeem the lKlh of June ; and the victory which England achieved on the alien field of Belgium might be reversed in the centre of our own capital ; the avongors making a barrack of tho cathedral where Wolliii < rton was to l > e laid by

    the Hide of Nelson , if this scheme were carried out ., the funereal procession would be interrupted , and followed by tin engagement in tho streets . Here then is a fab / can vivanl to crown the performance , — " Funeral of ' Wellington—Invasion of Louis Napoleon—grand combat in the streets — presentation of the keyH of London by Queen 'Victoria , on her knees , surrounded by her ministers and ollieers , to Napoleon , the Third ! " Thin would bo worth a heavy price of sidmi » nion , and tho ncjits might even bo profitably oHerod by tho Hame intelligent commerce on a future to-day , to witness Louis Napoleon ' s triumphal procession

    from St . . l ' aul ' H to St .. J ; umoh . The only thing likely to prevent ho advantageous an opportunity for London commerce is Die rising spirit of Englishmen . Some military ma . n has been making a , present- to the Prince of Wales , on his birthday , of a , little cannon , modelled after the best hitherto used in the Uritisli service . At the same time , however , tho trade ; reports boast of a new and improved cannon , tho manufacture of which has begun at

    IJiriniiiglunn . If Waterloo is buried in ( lie tonil ) on Wellington ' s death , perhaps there may yet bo sport in storo for that , birthday toy ; and commerce itself is inventing the better instrument for its own protection . 11 appears , then , that , we have not yet , got to tho end of flic drama ; and that lOiiglaml may have to » ' <¦ - thing besides plnving vassal to I'Yance . 1 he prospect , does away with wonio calculations lor the upectaolo on tho 18 th and u HubHuquont day ,

    and though commerce will regret the loss of thfe present penny , perhaps it may console itself in the new manufacture at Birmingham .

    1090 The Leader. [Saturdav ,

    1090 THE LEADER . [ SaturdaV ,

    The War Op Ideas. Submitted To Anti-Slav...

    THE WAR OP IDEAS . SUBMITTED TO ANTI-SLAVERY LEADERS AT HOME AND ABROAD . The Editor of the Boston Liberator , by his heroic initiative , and no less heroic persistence , has won for himself the representation of the anti-slavery literature and anti-slavery question in Loth hemispheres . And it is through his recognised name that we solicit attention to this great theme . Our strictures in this , as in our previous paper , * shall be free , but they shall be impartial . We will not do Mr . Garrison , whom we have chiefly in view , on account of the deserved influence he exercises over his colleagues , the injustice of judging him , we will not say condemning him , in any respect unheard . He shall speak for himself . He has done so in those words : —

    ' ' I am aware that many object to the severity of my language ; but is there ' not cause for severity ? I will be as harsh as truth , and as uncompromising as justice . I am in earnest—I will not equivocate—I 'will not excuse •—r will not retreat a sinsrle inch—and I will be

    HEAKD . " It is pretended that I am retarding the cause of emancipation by the coarseness of my invective , and the precipitancy of my measures . The charge is not true . On this question my influence , humble as it is , is felt at this moment to a considerable extent , and shall be felt in coming years—not perniciously , but beneficially—not as a curse , but as a blessing ; and posterity will bear testimony that I was right .. I desire to thank God that he enables me to disregard ' tho fear of man which bringeth a snare , ' and to speak his truth in its simplicity and power . "

    This is a defence which has been generally accepted on this side the Atlantic , and many are the Abolitionists among us whom it has encouraged in honesty and impotence ; and whom it has converted into conscientious hindrances . Those who venture to suggest that the most earnest advocates may sometimes retard their cause do not always affect these scruples . We hope Mr . Garrison will not count us among those who " pretend" this fear . The justificatory words we have quoted are spoken with the spirit of a hero , but not with the wisdom of the statesman . Let us suggest a slight alteration in this language , which will explain what we mean . We would have Mr . Garrison to say ,

    " I will be as harsh as progress , as uncompromising as success . " If a man speaks for his own gratification he may be as " harsh" as he pleases ; but if he speaks for the down-trodden and oppressed , he must be content to put a curb on the tongue of holiest passion , and speak only as harshly as is compatible with the amelioration of the evil lie proposes to redress . Let the question be again repeated : Do you . seek for the slave vengeance or redress ? If you seek retaliation , go on denouncing . But distant Europe honours Lloyd Garrison , because it credits him with seeking for the . slave simply redress . Wo say , therefore , that " uncompromising" policy is not to bo measured by absolute justice , but by practical amelioration of the slave ' s condition . Amelioration as fust as you can get itabsolute justice as soon as you can reach it .

    We would not have Mr . Garrison regard that , " fear of man which bringeth a snare ; " but wo would have him regard that treatment of opponents which briny cl . h delay and defeat . Mr . Garrison , as all propagandists have been encouraged to do , regards advocacy of liberty as . simply a question of courage , and supposes that to dan ; all tilings is to win all tilings , Mr . Garrison is a man of honourable character , and we will suggest an honourable reply to him . Let the graves of tho martyrs answer him . Above their sacred resting-places tho solemn voices of the bravo aro licard , telling all who have , cars to bear that " Bravery indeed ennobles

    patriotism and humanity ; but , wisdom is required to win tho victory . " We will not be guilty of the presumption of asking , that , so eminent a man as Mr . Garrison . should pause and recast his policy at , the solicitation , however earnest ,, of an obscure lOnglish writer . We recall to him the wise aphorism of tho great , moralist , of the oriental world , who wrote before the rhetorical discoveries of modern experience . Three inquirers said to Confucius , " Were you leading troops to the Held , which of us would you fake , for a .

    lieutenant , ? " The . philosopher answered—" The man who with his own hands would engage us in a , combat with ii tiger ; who without adequate motive would wish us to ford a river ; who would throw away his life without ¦ uitlicient reason or remorse- I certainly would not take for my lieutenant . I should want a man who would maintain a steady vigilance in the direction of a Hairs ; who was capable of forming plans , and of executing them . " A hundred people will form plans for one with the capacity of carrying them out ; . The philosopher was right , in placing wisdom and executive * Hoo Jjtiador , -No . iy <> .

    capacity above courage ; for down to this day our popular movements are led by heroes who fear nothin and who ivin nothing . ° > Could we but keep before us the first sa d view of life which breaks in upon the working man , whethe lie be a white slave or a black one , we should be able to see advocacy from a more advantageous point . \ y should learn at once sternness and moderation . Do w not find ourselves in an armed world , where Mi ght hs God , and Poverty is fettered ? Every stick and stone every blade of grass , every bird and flower , every pen ! niless man , woman , and child , has an owner in England no less than in ISTew Orleans . The bayonet or the

    baton bristles round every altar and at the corner of every lane and street . War is the only study worth a moment's attention by the workman or the slave . To fight or perish is the only alternative , and he who hesitates is lost to manliness and freedom . He who writes these words holds no other creed , and they criticise to little purpose who fail to detect this under-current in all he advances here or elsewhere . The reader who assumes that he finds the counsels of cowardice in these columns is only skilled in blatant symptoms , and has yet to learn how the working purpose clothes itself . There is no question raised in these articles as to the

    work to be done , but only as to the mode of reall y doing it . The platform resounds with announcements of principle , which is but asserting a right , while nothing but contempt is showered on policy wlr . ch is the realization of right . TJfce air is filled with all high cries and spirited denunciations ; indignation is at a premium ; and this is called advocacy . Thus men dasli themselves against the stone walls by which society surrounds its powers and privileges . Tyranny and custom , a dense , compact , wedged throng , hard as a wall and high as a mountain , hems in the wretched ; and the few who are valiant among us run their heads against it , and counsel us to do the same—and that is accounted leadership ! Objecting to such leadership , I

    do not therefore object to be led . I believe in war none the less for protesting against suicide . I may not be willing to run head-first against the wall , but I mean to go through it no less than those who do . I only cast about for the best mode of penetration . But to calculate , to make sure of your aim , is to be decried as one who is too cold to feel , too genteel to strike . While strong men are found to say this , no wonder that weak men are found to believe it . If an artillery officer throws shell after shell which never reach tho enemy , he is replaced by some one with a better eye and a surer aim . But in the artillery battle of opinion , to mean to hit is quite sufficient ; and if you have a certain grand indifference as to whether you hit or not , you may count on public applause .

    The only question is , do we propose to fight , or reason ? That war is the destiny of the slave , white or bbek , admits of no discussion to one who finds himself with

    open eyes in the lazaretto of society . Whether we fight for ourselves , for our relatives , or tho negro , the laws of arms arc the same . For myself , I have no objection to fighting in the gross form . It is a great instinct . 1 never looked on life from any other point than that of warfare . But it docs not answer in the old way ; society has outgrown it , in Kngland , at least , and 1 therefore take the side of Reason , but a man need be no less militant , us the soldier of facts , than as tin ; agent of swords . Hut the arena of argument needs discipline no less than that of arms . It is this which the Anti-Hlavery party fieeni to me not only to overlook but to despise . They do not put their valour to drill . NeiU'er on the field nor the platform has courage any inheren

    capacity of taking care of itself . America ' s wisest teacher has spoken noblo words w the Abolitionists . No other could uponk ho well , an < no other man has so great a right , to take the tone <> imperial candour . These are Emerson ' s royal wordsi tin "Tho institution of slavery seenm to it * opponen . have hut . ommU > , and ho ieils ( hat . none but n ¦ « " ?'' , u nmlu / naiU pei-Hon win hesitate on u view <> \} ( . . Undersell ftii impulse , ' w « "bo ut , to Hay , " " ,, ; , „ not , spenL , or numot hear the words of freedom , i <> ^ » ro hence ; ' I had almost » n \<\ , ' < Veep into Y" » f" , rhe universe 1 ,, m »<> need of yo u ! ' H .. « I ] «»*>•; * J t , rtt < : r . 1-ot bin . not . o . When we consider wlmtn i ^ ^ . to bo done , for t . bm intnreHt in thin country , the """; ,,.,,. Immunity innkn us tender of mich iih are not yd , !><>

    The / iirrdasf sal / isfmcs . t v . s- to tic homo-with . ^^ " Let , us withhold every vcpro <« -hfnt , ami , » ul ( . ( , every indupuvnt , remark . fn this cihiho we "'" I "; „„„ , nur temper and Urn rising of pride . II 1 'ici-o ' . J ., „„ . who thinks tho ruin of a race of men n mmA \ n » " ^ pared with ( I .., ImmI . decoration and comploUoi" '' . ^ . ^ ^ omforl ,- wli () would not ho much uh part , wr ^ ^ erenin l . o nave them fro in rapine and IIIH " , ' , ; .. , . . « m 1 must , not , lieHilal . 0 to satisfy that tun" I . ml , » 'm > ¦ ^^ mid vanilla aro wiler and cheaper by l . '" * ' " ^ f | ' <¦''«' nation on n fair footing Mum Uy robbm ^ in < i ¦¦ () f | lirf ViriMniiui |» i (| ii « 'H himself on Urn picl uresc | uo * " - ^ ) i () UtU , vaHwiliW , nn Ihobenvy Ulliiopu" . innm . c . H | h ) , Herv ,... lH , their nil .-nt , obedience , their me ol ¦ » ' ^ J / . U . O tarbimed Inuidn , and would not oxcluu . go llxvw

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 13, 1852, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13111852/page/14/