Fiat Justitia Ruat Colum. Ladies' Repository. Philanthropic and Literary. PRINCIPALLY CONDUCTED BY A LADY. HUMAN UNHAPPINESS. To her fair work did nature link, The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think, What man has made of man. Wadsworth. -There is much in the world to make the heart sad. Much poverty, much suffering, much guilt, much of that inward wretchedness that bows down the soul to the dust, with the weight of its agony. Even amidst the loveliest scenes of nature, when the heart, touched by her sweet influences, opens itself to the balmy spirit of happiness, that is diffused all around, even there will come mingling with the gust of its emotions, the thought of the misery that rankles in the bosoms of thousands. It is not only "the dark places of the earth” that “are full of wickedness;" where science and refinement glow with the brightest lustre, where knowledge has been poured in a strong flood over the human mind, where the altars of the christian religion have been raised to the worship of the Most High, and when the lives of thousands have been shed, like autumn leaves, in defence of liberty-there, even there are shackled millions! There "man has made of man" a slave, an implement of labor, a thing to be tasked, and scourged, and sold, at his pleasure! Nor is this all-nor the worst. There is the tearing asunder of all the heart strings, when at the command of mammon, all the ties of life are violently broken, that the price of human limbs may heap the coffers of the oppressor. Nor is this yct all. There is the degradation, the compelled ignorance, the abasement of the high intellectual faculties, from which escape is utterly hopeless. All these are concomitants of American slavery-of that slavery which is contemplated without abhorencecertainly without any effort for its removal,-by thousands of females, though they are aware what multitudes of their own sex are prostrated under this cruel load of oppression. WOMEN AND THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE. Women in all parts of the country, are lending their influence to the support of the Temperance cause. This is well. It is laudable. But is there one argument in favour of their engaging in that work, which will not apply equally well to that of opposition to slavery? Do they seek the removal of degradation, of vice, of ignorance, of crime? What is so fruitful in all these as slavery? If it is criminal to hold human beings in unlimited bondage, (and who but the slaveholders themselves will say it is not?) then it is not only for the millions who pine in that bondage, for whom their sympathy and their aid is demanded, but also for those who are guilty of rivetting their fetters. Is it the dread that they themselves may be smitten by the blasting influence of the evil which they seek to remove, that prompts them to exertion? Know they not, that even where they themselves are not exposed to the danger of insurgent havoc, that the constitution of our country has pledged their brethren, their fathers, their sons, their husbands, to brave all the perils, and all the horrors of that warfare? Oh how can those who feel the responsibility that rests on our mortal life, and who know that the slave alike with themselves is destined to an undying existence, still delay the commencement of this important work! How can such endure the thought of the abject condition in which unrelenting despotism yearly plunges so many thousand innocent human beings, and make no effort for their rescue! If they would allow the subject more frequently to occupy their attention, if they would reflect more carefully on the hideous iniquity that slavery involves, we are sure this could not be. PREJUDICE. It is scarcely possible to believe what a vast amount of the darkest prejudice may dwell in the human heart, and how completely it is sometimes suffered to prevail against the dictates of common sense, and the plainest truths of religion. We have seldom met with a more striking exemplification of this, than the conduct of some of the inhabitants of Canterbury, Conn. A few months since, Prudence Crandall, a lady of that place, announced her intention of opening a boarding school for young colored females. Certainly a most praiseworthy undertaking, and one which might have been expected to meet with general approbation. Far different however, it seems, is the sentiment entertained towards it by her townsmen. After sending a deputation of their number to wait upon her, and endeavour to induce her to alter her intentions, a town meeting was called on account of the affair, where sundry speeches and resolutions gave, we hope, some relief to the sapient heads that were aching with apprehensions of approaching destruction, from the transient residence in their vicinity, of a few young females. We have seldom heard of any thing so excessively absurd and ridiculous, as the conduct of the leaders of this opposition to a most meritorious object. This unchristian spirit is deeply to be regretted. In the south, fear, the usual attendant of injustice and selfishness, have barred the gates Fiat Justitia Ruat Cœlum. of knowledge, with the heavy penalties of the law, never be more so, than when our own gratificato the unfortunate colored race; and in the north, tion would be purchased with the misery of our fellow creatures. Jesus Christ, our holy pattern prejudice, with the same unrelenting spirit, would and lawgiver, we are told "pleased not himself;" thrust them back into the darkness from which and in this, as in other things, it is incumbent upthey are struggling to emerge. These gentlemen on us to follow his example. But if this were would doubtless call themselves christians; but done, could those who profess obedience to his precepts, still continue to gratify themselves with how such conduct can be brought to agree with the products of the unrequited labours of the the grand moral rule of the christian gospel, we deeply wronged slave? If that universal love for are at a loss to imagine. We are sure they would the human race, which He so forcibly inculcated, not esteem it a light thing to see an attempt thus know that our fellow creatures were thus injured were suffered to prevail in our bosoms, could we made to dash the cup of knowledge and mental and miserable, and not strive to do something for refinement from the lips of their sisters and daugh- || their rescue? We are sometimes told, that the ters, by the rude hand of prejudiced tyranny. If slaves are contented and happy. But we know, that except very partially, this cannot be; the nait is well that the capacities of the human intelture of their bondage utterly forbids it. It is imlect should be elevated and improved, if the en- || possible for men to be happy under the same syslightened and expanded mind is better qualified tem of treatment to which brute animals are subto fulfil the end of its creation, by glorifying its for the bitterness of lacerated feeling, when a bejected, and in some instances a far more cruel one; Creator, then how are those to answer it to their loved object is torn from the clinging affections, own consciences in the day of trial, who would|| can never be known in its fullest agony, save by chain the minds of others in ignorance and darka human bosom. And even the stinted measure of happiness which they may sometimes be said to enjoy under the rule of a kind master, has seldom in it any thing of the elevated happiness, worthy of a rational being. Even the christian slave must be miserable. Imperfect as our nature is, unable as those are even in a far better estate than his, to cast their cares wholly upon God, how can he look round on those to whom his heart is clinging with the fondest affection, and reflect, without exquisite misery, on the degradation and the temptations of their lot? ness. "Wo to those who trample o'er a mind, DEAR M-: EXTRACT. Excuse the unasked for liberty I take in calling thy attention from the various pleasures which surround thee, to the perusal of this poor scrawl. But as I cannot enjoy thy society, I thought I would commune with thee in this way, thinking thereby to cheat old father Time out of a few moments; but the old gentleman has no notion of that, for he sticks close at my elbow, warning me to be brief, or he will leave me in the dark, as he is fast withdrawing the great luminary from my view. And as I have seen it sink in the far west, I have said, oh that before he rise again, oppression might flee from our land. The wind is now in the south, and every breeze seems to bring with it a sound of some clanking chain, a sigh from the poor slave. Dost thou not hear it MDoes it not seem as though the murmuring sound of injured Africa rested upon every gale? It does to me. Then let not our feeble efforts cease until liberty is proclaimed to the captive, and the oppressed arise free from the thraldom of slavery. For the Genius of Universal Emancipation. SELFISHNESS. Hannah More says that the principle end of education should be to eradicate selfishness-and I think she is correct. If the excess of this principle were rooted from the heart, men would at once be virtuous and amiable and happy. Selfdenial and disinterestedness, always bring their own reward; and those who take least thought for their own comfort, when it comes into competition with that of their fellow creatures, will enjoy under the same circumstances of life, far the greater portion of happiness. In this, as in other things, the performance of duty is its own reward, for as we are expressly placed in this life as a state of probation, the self-denial in many instances becomes one of our strongest duties. And it can Who then will hesitate, when the relief of more than two millions of human beings is the object, to retrench some portion of their many comforts? To renounce those enjoyments which are bought with so fearful a price of human agony, and unite in the holy task of pouring the oil of gladness into the wounds of the broken-hearted. CATHARINE. For the Genius of Universal Emancipation. Succeeds bright summer's reign. Who pine in slavery's chains, Whose blood the green earth stains. Illume their hearts with freedom's ray. ་་ ELA. The following extract is taken from a little work published in England, entitled An Evening at Home." We recommend it to the atten tion of our readers. SUGAR. "Ah, but," said Mrs. Morrison, "though the English have now made it piracy to carry on the 3 Fiat Justitia Ruat Cœlum. slave-trade, yet they still uphold a system of slavery 'the most merciless and tyrannical, that ever was tolerated on the face of the earth;' and they still allow the planters to keep possession of the negroes so unjustly obtained, and of their children, and children's children too. But now, Emma, listen to me;-why is it, do you think, that the negroes are kept in slavery, and treated as beasts? It is to procure sugar for us, that they are kept in bondage; to procure sugar for English ladies, who never think as they sit smiling and happy, sipping their tea, that they have sweetened it with what costs thousands of their fellow-subjects their liberty and happiness, and even their lives." "Oh, mamma!" exclaimed little Emma, the blood crimsoning in her cheeks and her eyes filling with tears, "is this possible?" "Yes, it is indeed possible: it is perfectly true; though many people do not know it, and some will not believe it; and most people, even religious people, and ladies too, who can pity and relieve almost every other kind of suffering seem quite unconcerned about this." "But I'd soon make them concern themselves about it;" exclaimed Henry. "Look here," said he, starting up from the corner where he had been | busily engaged for some time, and holding a tremendous whip in his hand, “now look what I have here! This is exactly like what the slaves are flogged with, nearly half a pound the lash alone weighs; and its more than six feet long;|| and see how thick it is; five inches round in one place! I can frighten all the ladies out of eating West India sugar, with this, I am sure, when I make them look at it, and lift it, and hear it," said Henry smacking it; " and if they won't mind for that much I am sure they deserve to feel it too!" "Don't make me feel it, pray, pray;" cried Emma, shrinking away as her brother approached. 66 Melteth upon the ear so soothingly, Bendeth in loveliness above the earth, His strength out on the earth, for no reward; The dearest objects of his earthly love, GERTRUDE. There appears to be very little protection af No, don't frighten us with it Henry," said his mother; "but pray show it to those ladies who will not pity those of their own sex, who have to endure its tortures: show it to the ladies, who, knowing what a cart whip inflicts,-knowing that human flesh,-the flesh of women,-must bleed under its merciless strokes, still continue to buy West India sugar, because it is cheapest! But no whip that Henry can make, Emma, can give you an idea of the tremendous power of the West In-forded by law to the free blacks, even in this disdian whip—I wish I could show to all the ladies of England one that had inflicted a hundred and fifty lashes on a poor gentle negress, called America; a harmless, inoffensive hard-working creature; but her story is too dreadful to relate. I am glad to have my dear children care for the helpless, un-colored people with impunity. friended negro; so very few do feel for him as they ought. In spite of all that has been said, and done, and written on this subject, the wretched slave may still say to the females of Great Britain 'Think ye ladies, iron hearted, For the Genius of Universal Emancipation. EVENING THOUGHTS. The calm earth resteth in her quiet sleep. trict, which is governed by the national legislature. A friend has furnished us with the follow ing relation of facts, which shows the gross imposition and cruelty practised upon unoffending There is neither mercy nor justice for colored people in this district:-about the first of May, some colored people of quality, at this place, wished to have a ball, in imitation of the whites. But as they cannot make laws for their own government, they have to submit to the unjust and unmerciful laws made by the whites. Consequently they applied to an officer for a permit to have a ball. A constable made them believe that he had power to grant them a permit, and wrote one, and took pay for it. The blacks assembled, under permission as they thought, and were enjoying themselves in a very orderly manner, when about 11 o'clock at night, fourteen constables surrounded the house armed with guns, pistols, and clubs, took about forty blacks-robbed them of all their watches and money, and next day took them all before squire Clark, where each one was fined as much as they Fiat Justitia Ruat Cœlum. could well pay-and then the constables and magistrate made a division of the money between them. And what is still more strange, many of them consider themselves, or wish others to consider them, very religious-some are shouting Methodists, and others Presbyterians, so it is said. Last week, a very decent, orderly looking, colored woman, was coming over the bridge to our city to get employ, it is said. She was seen by a man, named Jilson Dove, a constable, who buys and catches negroes for the traders. The woman finding she was about to be taken to the pen or enclosure, where all kidnapped and others are put, before taken to the south,-got loose, and attempted to run away from the constable-but he followed her so close, she had no way to escape but by jumping into the river, where she was drowned. No fuss or stir was made about it, she was got out of the river, and buried,—and there the matter ended. peace 66 When Ethiop stretches forth her hands, That long have them oppressed. They rave-but rave in vain. "Twill break the oppressor's chain. EDWIN. TEXAS.-A letter writer, who appears to have For such outrages upon unprotected, unoffend-visited some part of this country, informs a southing people, the nation stands guilty. It is the du-ern editor, that the colonists have hit upon a plan to evade the law prohibiting the introduction and ty of Congress to provide for the and good employment of slaves; but he says it can be done government of the district, and to protect the in- " for one generation only." The "plan," to which habitants from the depredations of unprincipled he alludes, is that of taking in the slaves under men invested with a little brief authority, by se- indentures for ninety-nine years-though their curing the just and equal administration of the future offspring would be free by law. This regulation existed a short time subsequent to the laws. And if they fail to do this, and permit such abolition of slavery by the Mexican Congress. scenes to be acted with impunity, in the face of But a law of the state, passed last April, declares the nation, as are above described, the guilt and that such indentures shall not be valid longer than ignominy will fall upon the whole nation. And as sure as there is a God that judges righteously in the earth, He will not let the guilty go unpunished. It is no excuse,--no palliation, that the sufferers were black,-that they were yellow. They belonged to the family of man, and they were free. ten years. We had several articles prepared for this number which have been crowded out by other matter, which we could not omit. That champion of despotism, the editor of the "Telegraph," and Intelligencer," have not received that special nothe "crazy fanatic," who conducts the "Daily tice which was intended-because we have not room-at present. Letters addressed to Benjamin Lundy, on business connected with this paper, should be directed to Philadelphia, for the present, or until further notice. Terms of Subscription TO THE GENIUS OF UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION. This work will henceforth be issued monthly, in the CITY OF WASHINGTON. It will be neatly printed on fine paper, and folded in the octavo form, each number making sixteen large pages. A title page and index will accompany each volume. The price of subscription will be ONE DOLLAR per annum, always to be paid in advance. Subscribers who do not particularly specify the time they wish to receive the work, or notify the editor (through the medium of a post-master, or in some other way,) of a desire to discontinue it before the expiration of the current year, will be considered as engaged for the next succeeding one, and their bills will be forwarded accordingly. Any person remitting Five Dollars to the Editor, in current money of the United States, will be entitled to Six Copies, for one year. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY BENJAMIN LUNDY, WASHINGTON, D. C. AT $1.00 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE. "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.- Declaration of Independence, U. S. No. 9. VOL. III. THIRD SERIES.] JULY, 1833, Those to whom bills have been sent, as well as others who owe the concern, will confer a favor by remitting the amount, directed to Benjamin Lundy, Philadelphia. The proprietor of this paper is from home on business of importance to the cause in which he is engaged; and he relies for the means to support the paper in his absence, upon remittances from subscribers who are in arrears. The paper cannot be sustained without funds. The amount due is amply sufficient to sustain it, if prompt payment is made. We therefore hope our request to forward the balances due will not be overlooked or neglected. [WHOLE NUMBER 285. VOL. XIII. their ill-manners. Her father and sister have been threatened with fine and imprisonment, if they visit her. Eggs have been thrown at the house-the windows have been broken by stones or brick bats, while the family were peaceably attending to their own domestic concerns. And to crown all, she has been incarcerated in a prisonand confined in the same cell which had been the abode of a murderer!!! And what is her crime? What sin has she committed against the peace of society, or the charities of social life, that she should be subjected to a treatment more cruel and heartless than EDITOR AND ATTORNEY FOR B. LUNDY. the vilest felons receive from a civilized commu FREE LABOR. nity? She is charged with no moral offence-no breach of her social or religious duties. Her character is beyond suspicion, her conduct is exemplary, and characterised by meakness and christian charity. Societies are forming in different parts of the country to promote the consumption of free labor produce, in preference to that of slaves. Thousands are becoming convinced that the consumers of the produce of slave labor are the efficient supporters of the slave system, and they are forming associations for procuring and consuming the pro-struction to those who most need instruction. This ducts of free labor. is the "head and front of her offending"-the sole crime alleged against her. These views are spreading among all classes and professions; and the time is hastening when every consistent and conscientious abolitionist will feel himself imperatively called upon to wash his hands from the pollution, and to "touch not, taste not, handle not the accursed thing." • A society has lately been formed in the city of New York, called "The Free Produce Association of Friends," composed of men and women— and another in Chester County, Pennsylvania; the constitution of which will be found in this number. These are cheering indications of a correct estimate of the nature and character of slavery, and of a sound moral and religious principle,which, regardless of narrow and selfish considerations, spurns to partake of the gain of oppression, how ever specious the channel through which it comes. THE CANTERBURY AFFAIR. The persecutors of the benevolent, the amiable P. Crandall, have exhibited a barbarous and savage vindictiveness, towards an unoffending young woman, which is a disgrace to the country and the age. The citizens of Canterbury, IN CONNEC TICUT, have resolved to hold no intercourse with her-to sell her no article of necessity. When she appears in the streets she is insulted-hooted at-horns are blown and pistols fired-not at her we admit--but in derision, and as an evidence of But she has been guilty of silence ye wolves of Canterbury-cease your howlings, while I the truth unfold-she has been guilty of-giving in. Republicans! Christians! men! hang your heads and blush! Every man, who has a spark of the honorable feelings of a man must blush—" blush and hang his head to think himself a man,”—so long as such outrages against the common decencies of civilized society are tolerated by men pretending to be civilized. The indignation of the editors of New England papers, which has been freely expressed, will in some measure redeem the character of the people of that section of our country, from participation in the disgraceful proceedings at Canterbury. The following is from the "Boston Advocate." from New Haven, of June 30, which says that Refinement of the age.-We have seen a letter Andrew T. Judson, the famous town clerk of the enlightened and religious town of Canterbury, in the moral state of Connecticut, has actually caused the arrest of Miss Prudence Crandall, for presuming to teach curly headed misses with dark skins to read and write, in violation of a statute passed by the conscientious legislators of the land of blue laws, where they used to whip beer barrels for working on Sunday! This young lady, who is pious, amiable and lovely in person, our informant adds, has actually been thrust into prison in the very cell that Wat kins, the murderer, last occupied!!! In the name of all that is manly and civilized, are we going back to the dark ages? Are there any free schools or religious societies in Connec |