LETTER OF AN ABOLITONIST.

107

"It is understood, that one of the charges preferred against me (got up, no doubt, by some designing knave, to whom, professionally, I have rendered service, either by an acquittal or conviction,) is, that of having avowed myself to be the friend of amalgamation. Every one who heard my speech at the dedication of Pennsylvania Hall, knows this to be untrue-and to those who did not hear it, I proclaim it to be false. I am adverse to amalgamation, and to the practical friend of amalgamation.

"The other opinion expressed, is one having regard to immediate emancipation, and upon this subject the views entertained by me are thus expressed-'I confess, with all my devotion to the great cause of human freedom, still if it were left with me to strike off the chains of slavery instantly and with a single blow, I should hesitate before that blow was struck-hesitate not for myself-not for the safety or security of the government-not for the probable effects of the measure upon society or upon the slave States-for in none of these relations could it prove dangerous-but for the slaves themselves. They are not, in a mass, morally or intellectually in a condition qualifying them for so sudden and important a change. The flood of light that would pour in upon them, would prove too powerful for their long-benighted vision-or, in other words, they might surfeit in the excess of joy.'

"I have had occasion to say, formerly, and I repeat it now, that the violence manifested by the adversaries of abolition, is to be ascribed to the turbulent spirit of the times, which seeks a vent upon every possible opportunity, and which will, ere long, be found to glut itself upon the very individuals by whom it is apparently fostered and encouraged.

"I have thought proper to make this exposition, not to conciliate my adversaries, but to satisfy my friends, as I desire to retain both. I recant nothing that I have said-I deplore nothing that I have done my property is under the protection of the law-and however imperfect that protection, there I leave it-of my family and personal sanctity I am the guardian, and will never permit either to be violated with impunity.

"DAVID PAUL BROWN."

The effect produced upon the public mind by this letter was in every way salutary, and showed the value

People

and importance of men being faithful to their opinions at whatever hazard to their fortunes or their lives. Even the anti-abolitionists were compelled to pay homage to the moral courage it evinced; and the timid among the abolitionists took heart at this open defiance of all danger by one whose opinions they approved, and whose heroism they admired. began, accordingly, to speak more freely in reprehension of the conduct of the rioters; the public sympathy began to be moved in favour of the sufferers; and even the press assumed a higher tone, as will be seen by the last article I shall quote, from the democratic paper, the Pennsylvanian.

“Laws are enacted not only to be obeyed when it is agreeable to do so, for then the end would be attained without them, but for the purpose of controlling our impulses, and for securing the ultimate good of all by occasional sacrifices of individual will. The general result is that which is contemplated by enlightened legislation, and its protection is extended alike to the good and the bad, to the wise and the foolish, and, above all, to the minority as well as to the majority. To say, therefore, that there are cases in a country governed like this, in which the laws may be suspended, is to break down every barrier upon which the citizen relies for safety, and to return once more to the practice of barbarous ages. A new arbiter of his fate is introduced, and both life and property are made dependent upon the will of those who possess the physical power at the moment. It is, therefore, far better that multitudes of evils should be tolerated, than that a single blow should be thus given at the very framework of our social fabric. It is destructive of the vital principle of republicanism, as it exists among us; and upon mere selfish considerations, if there were no other, it should be sternly and unflinchingly opposed. If the restraints of law, and of the dictates of toleration, are thrown off to-day for the purpose of intimidating the ultra-abolitionists and amalgamationists, there is no earthly reason why it may not be proclaimed to-morrow, that certain party prin

ENGLAND AND AMERICA COMPARED.

109

ciples are offensive to public opinion-that the printing offices which publish them must be burnt, and that the leaders of party who espouse them must be sacrificed to appease a 'just indignation.""

From the intercourse I enjoyed with a very extensive circle of society in Philadelphia, I believe this article expresses the sentiments of nine-tenths of its inhabitants; and it would be therefore most unjust to consider the riotous and incendiary conduct of a mob formed of, at the most, 500 persons, and of these not more than 100 taking any active part in the proceedings, as characteristic of the general state of society in a city that numbers 200,000 residents. The mobs of London in Lord George Gordon's riots, and of Birmingham, when the church and king loyalists burnt down Dr. Priestley's house; or those of Bristol, who, but a few years since, set fire to that city, and plundered the houses during the conflagration-might as well be taken, by any American, as a fair sample of English society.

СНАР. VI..

Benevolent institutions of Philadelphia-School for the instruction of the blind-Munificent bequest of an Englishman-Description of the institution and pupils-Proficiency in geography and music-Publication of the Blind Student's Magazine-Effects produced by this excellent work-Remarkable improvement of an idiot-Specimens of composition by the blind-Asylum for the deaf and dumb-Curious experiments in animal magnetismUtility of the discoveries growing out of it-Production of certain dreams by magnetic influence-Dramatic effects on the mind of a dumb boy-Equally remarkable influence on young girls-Entire change of character in the conduct of one-Insensibility to pain during the magnetic sleep-Remarkable instance of nervous insensibility-Surgical operation performed without pain-Application of animal magnetism to surgery-New almshouse of Philadelphia-Beautiful situation of the buildingExtent and completeness of the establishment-Statistics of the poor and lunatics-Cost of the institution and annual expenseMarine hospital for seamen-Plan and arrangement of the marine hospital-Seamen of England and America-Injustice done to the former by taxation-Superior benefits enjoyed by the latter -Comparison with Greenwich hospital-Distaste of sailors for inland situations.

THE most interesting, and perhaps the most characteristic feature of Philadelphia, is its benevolent institutions; and in these, more than in anything else, are to be seen the spirit of its first founder, silently prolonging its influence over the conduct and character of his descendants, by providing asylums suited to the relief of almost every misfortune by which the wretched can be afflicted.

INSTRUCTION OF THE BLIND.

111

The first of these that we visited, was the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind; where we had the pleasure to be attended by the amiable superintendent of the establishment, Mr. Friedlander, and to be accompanied by him over every part of it. It is now about five years since this institution was first projected by a few benevolent individuals in Philadelphia, who desired to provide an asylum for those unfortunates who are deprived of sight; and to make it a home of happiness, as well as comfort, by instructing its inmates in arts and occupations from which they could earn their own subsistence, and be useful to others as well as to themselves. For this purpose, they sent to Germany, to obtain the services of some person qualified to superintend such an institution, and Mr. Friedlander, a young but intelligent and enthusiastic philanthropist, came over to Philadelphia for that

purpose.

He began his operations with four pupils only; but the progress made with these was so striking as to awaken a general interest throughout the community in favour of the undertaking; and this once roused, the means of augmentation flowed in apace. An application was made to the State legislature for a grant, to build a suitable edifice; and the answer was, that the State would grant 10,000 dollars for that purpose, provided 20,000 dollars could be raised for the same object by the community. The experiment was tried, and soon after it was commenced, the sum of 26,000 dollars was raised; and a fund thus at once formed, beyond the expectations of the most sanguine.