dvocates of Slavery have the advantage of us in printing
presses, we have greatly the advantage of them in possessing men
of the most talents, and most able to wield the pen and use the
press, with effect; and as three out of four of their presses
have professed a willingness to admit well-written original
essays on both sides of the question, we shall have not only the
best of the argument, but be able, I trust, to present it in the
best dress to the public. I am happy in telling you that the
advocates of a convention have been losing ground ever since the
adjournment of the Legislature; and there is no doubt with me if
the question were now to be decided, that a majority of the
people would be opposed to it. But what will be the state of the
parties next August is another question. Many of the people in
this State are very fickle and credulous, and much can be done by
designing and unprincipled partisans, and that everything which
can possibly be done will be done, we cannot but infer from the
extraordinary and unwarrantable measures resorted to last winter
in the Legislature in getting up the question, and the great
anxiety evinced, and exertions which have been made and are still
making to prevail on the people to sanction it. But as the
friends of freedom are aware of this, they will watch the
movements of their opponents, and be on the alert to counteract
their intrigues and machinations. The object for which a
convention is wanted is so justly odious, and the conduct of the
friends of the measure so disgraceful, that I cannot bring myself
to believe they will succeed. But I regret to state that the
advocates of Slavery in this State are gaining strength, from the
indiscretion of the advocates of freedom out of the State.
Certain leading newspapers in the Atlantic cities have taken a
stand, and held language which is used here in a way calculated
to do much mischief. Whether we have the constitutional right to
make this a slave-holding State, or not, or whether the opponents
of the extension of Slavery, here or elsewhere, may think proper
hereafter to call for the interposition of the Federal Gov't to
restrain the people of this State, it is certainly bad policy at
this time very strongly to urge it, and especially in what may be
consider