They are living under a pledge of their tremendous physical
force to rivet the manacles of chattel slavery upon millions in the
South; they are liable at any instant to be called on under the
Constitution to suppress a general insurrection of the slaves. This
relationship is criminal, "is full of danger, IT MUST BE BROKEN UP."
So much for the views and principles of the declaration, now for the
designs and measures as enumerated therein: "We shall organize
anti-slavery societies, if possible, in every city, town and village in
our land.
"We shall send forth agents to lift up the voice of remonstrance, of
warning, of entreaty, and of rebuke.
"We shall circulate, unsparingly and extensively, anti-slavery tracts
and periodicals.
"We shall enlist the pulpit and the press in the cause of the suffering
and the dumb.
"We shall aim at a purification of the churches from all participation
in the guilt of slavery.
"We shall encourage the labor of freemen rather than that of slaves, by
giving a preference to their productions; and
"We shall spare no exertions nor means to bring the whole nation to
speedy repentance."
The instrument closes by pledging the utmost of its signers to the
overthrow of slavery--"come what may to our persons, our interests, or
our reputations--whether we live to witness the triumph of Liberty,
Justice, and Humanity, or perish untimely as martyrs in this great,
benevolent, and holy cause.
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