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Editorial
March 7, 1835
The Liberator
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
The Landmark's editor mocks the Recorder's call for patience in the 'American Union' work for the 'Colored Race,' arguing that true reform like abolition demands sustained excitement and passion, not calm, and cites successful passionate British abolition efforts.
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COOL AND COMFORTABLE.
The editor of the Recorder requests the editor of the Landmark 'to be patient a little while longer, respecting the long promised 'exposition' of the American Union. He talks in the following cool and comfortable strain:
The work which is to be done for the 'Colored Race' is great, and cannot be finished in a hurry. Whoever goes about it with excessive and impatient haste, will surely be exhausted and become inefficient, before the work is done. It is a work which cannot be accomplished by excitement. From the very nature of the human mind, no excitement can be sustained long enough to accomplish it. Those who accomplish it must keep themselves in such a state of mind, that they can and will labor with constancy and effect while a dozen successive excitements pass away.'
It is a work which cannot be accomplished by excitement.' Indeed! Then it cannot be a good work—a work of reform. The doctrine is worthy of the American Union. We prefer to apply the language of Dr. Young to the subject of slavery, and to act accordingly:
On such a theme 'twere impious to be calm
Passion is reason, transport temper here!
No excitement can be sustained long enough to accomplish it.' This is a bold assertion in the face of all the abolition efforts in Great Britain—efforts long protracted and full of intense excitement up to the last hour of the successful conflict.
The editor of the Recorder requests the editor of the Landmark 'to be patient a little while longer, respecting the long promised 'exposition' of the American Union. He talks in the following cool and comfortable strain:
The work which is to be done for the 'Colored Race' is great, and cannot be finished in a hurry. Whoever goes about it with excessive and impatient haste, will surely be exhausted and become inefficient, before the work is done. It is a work which cannot be accomplished by excitement. From the very nature of the human mind, no excitement can be sustained long enough to accomplish it. Those who accomplish it must keep themselves in such a state of mind, that they can and will labor with constancy and effect while a dozen successive excitements pass away.'
It is a work which cannot be accomplished by excitement.' Indeed! Then it cannot be a good work—a work of reform. The doctrine is worthy of the American Union. We prefer to apply the language of Dr. Young to the subject of slavery, and to act accordingly:
On such a theme 'twere impious to be calm
Passion is reason, transport temper here!
No excitement can be sustained long enough to accomplish it.' This is a bold assertion in the face of all the abolition efforts in Great Britain—efforts long protracted and full of intense excitement up to the last hour of the successful conflict.
What sub-type of article is it?
Slavery Abolition
What keywords are associated?
Slavery Abolition
American Union
Colored Race
Abolition Excitement
British Abolition
What entities or persons were involved?
Editor Of The Recorder
Editor Of The Landmark
American Union
Dr. Young
Abolition Efforts In Great Britain
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Moderate Approach To Abolition Of Slavery
Stance / Tone
Strongly Pro Abolition With Passionate Urgency
Key Figures
Editor Of The Recorder
Editor Of The Landmark
American Union
Dr. Young
Abolition Efforts In Great Britain
Key Arguments
Work For The 'Colored Race' Requires Passion, Not Calm Patience
Reform Like Abolition Cannot Succeed Without Sustained Excitement
Recorder's Doctrine Of Calm Labor Is Unworthy Of True Reform
British Abolition Succeeded Through Long, Intense Excitement