April 19, 1861
A two-column article differentiates between the two, asking how the one group can be condemned, the other, justified? The last paragraph gives the conclusion: “Such is Northern abolition disunion in contrast with Southern pro-slavery secession. The former is based upon the eternal fitness of things, and animated by a noble, disinterested, and philanthropic spirit. The latter is the concentration of all diabolism.”
April 15, 1859
In the Refuge of Oppression Column, from the Boston Post, a statement that the defeat of the Personal Liberty Bill, “is the first fruits of a reaction in public sentiment going on in the Northern States … For once, the disunionists of Massachusetts have been foiled.”
November 6, 1957
Here is a report from the Convention which was held. Addresses were made by C. L. Remond, Parker Pillsbury, and A. K. Foster. Resolutions were passed in favor of Disunion, and one which says it “is the duty of the slaves to strike down their master by force and arms, whenever the blow can be made effective…”
November 6, 1957
Notwithstanding the official postponement of the National Convention, there is an account here of a “highly interesting and spirited gathering” of delegates from Indiana, Michigan, southern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and other states. There were resolutions passed, one of which reflected “some severity” upon the Committee on Arrangements, for the postponement. The Committee here offers defense for the action in postponing the Convention, and takes the opportunity to urge disunion, “because the Union is the bulwark of the slave system…”
October 23, 1857
Here is announcement of postponement of the Convention, “in view of the sudden paralytic shock which has fallen upon the whole country, in regard to its financial and business operations — which at the present time, absorbs the attention and tries the resources of all classes..”
October 2, 1857
In this issue the Call for the Northern Convention, lists names of those who urge attendance. Names are listed from seventeen states, and a note at the end of the article indicates that more than 6400 names of endorsers have been received by the Committee on Arrangements. Members of the Committee include, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Wendell Phillips, and Garrison.
September 18, 1857
Here is a call for citizens of the free states to meet in Convention, in Cleveland. With a clear reference to the Dred Scott Decision, which has so interpreted the Constitution to mean that Congress has no right to “establish freedom, even in the territories”, the men who call for the Convention want to consider the “probability, practicability, and expediency of a “separation of the Free and Slave States”. The call claims that “Slavery has now gained entire control over the three branches of our National Government, Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative”.
April 24, 1857
Under the Refuge of Oppression column, is a short article from the Boston Pilot, which speaks of the importance of the judiciary as an institution. This comes in the context of a time when the Supreme Court is “so atrociously assailed by so large a portion of the press in the free States.” The articles mentions the ‘anti-slavery Constitution and Anti-slavery Bible’ abolitionists. “Our object is simply to guard our readers against their Disunion teaching, and one-sided construction of the existing Constitution.”
February 20, 1857
From the Newark Daily Advertiser, is a notice of a concert to be scheduled by the Hutchinson Family. “They have very much lessened their hold on public favor - as much, perhaps, by their want of the artistic skill which an improved public taste requires, as by their attempts to give a political direction to their art.” The article is critical of their participation “in the late fanatical Convention held in Worcester, Mass., for the purpose of bringing about a dissolution of the Union…”
February 13, 1857
An article from the Portland Inquirer, makes an argument against disunion, “which we do not remember having been stated.” It comments on the nationalization of slavery since the 1850 compromise, and the duty of all citizens to “rid the nation of the curse of slavery.” Its concluding sentence says: “We have no right to dissolve the Union until we have abolished slavery.”