The Illinois Free Trader And Lasalle County Commercial Advertiser

Abolitionism.

Within the last few months we have received several communications relative to the Abolition movements in this county, and as we have refused to publish them, we deem it our duty to give our reasons for so doing.

That we are opposed to the operations of Abolitionists, is well known. We have ever repudiated their doctrine, and regarded their movements as a species of fanaticism calculated to work much injury to the country, if by any means they were rendered numerous enough to command the attention of the demagogue, or the sympathy of the people. To effectually check their movements other means must be used than a lawless spirit of persecution, or riotous conduct towards them!

Their present importance is more to be attributed to the persecution they have met with than to the virtues of their cause, or the rectitude of their motives. Persecution ever begets followers, and no doctrine, however absurd, is without advocates. What gave the imposter Matthias importance, and gained him followers? Persecution! What first brought to notice Jo Smith and the Mormon Bible? Persecution! Matthias flourished during his persecution, and death only relieved him from it, and now his doctrines are known to be erroneous. Smith still flourishes, and every day adds strength to his followers, and whether his doctrine be true or false, time can only demonstrate. Certain it is, however, that the treatment he and his people received in Missouri, did more to win him followers than the eloquence of his disciples, or the inviting doctrines of the Golden Bible.

The advocates of the immediate abolition of Slavery owe their prominence entirely to persecution! Their origin, principles, and policy need only be understood to be despised. Calm, sober reflection, is a better antidote for fanaticism than the battering-ram or the sword. Every effort made to suppress "free discussion" adds that much to the capital of the Abolitionists. Excitement, "wind and fury" is what they want. The real object of their labors they wish to conceal, until persecution has ripened the harvest for the sickle and the knife. Artificial breast-works have been erected by them, to which they invite attack, which are: "The Right of Petition"-"Free Discussion"-"Liberty"-"Equality"-and other devices, adopted to captivate the ear and lead astray the American heart. Remove those breast-works, or cease to attack them, and Abolitionism will soon fall into merited contempt.

Let them speak, agitate and discuss as much as they please among themselves, and if their cause has real merit it will triumph-if not, it will speedily sink to the depths of infamy. "Error may safely be tolerated as long as reason is left free to combat it," is the language of the immortal Jefferson, and should be the sentiment of every American.

The Abolitionists number many worthy men in their ranks. They are entitled to their views and opinions in common with the mass of the people. They can meet, discuss, and advocate such measures as they deem advisable, and no person has a right to "molest or make them afraid." If they adopt measures calculated to wrong and steal the property of a fellow-man, the laws of our country should punish them, and public opinion will soon place them on a level with the highwayman and the out-law.