The clog that has stayed the march of her people, the incubus that has weighed down her enterprise, strangled her commerce, kept sealed her exhaustless fountains of mineral wealth, and paralyzed her arts, manufactures and improvement, is NEGRO SLAVERY.
Tappan identifies slavery as the primary obstacle to Virginia's economic progress and development.
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In the place of your present contempt, and degradation, and misery, honor, and wealth, and happiness court your acceptance.
You will be cheered by the approbation of your own consciences, and by the plaudits of mankind.
Unite then, we beseech you, with one heart and one mind, for the legal, constitutional abolition of slavery.
He is terrified by the echo of his own threats, and the very proposal to dissolve the Union and leave him to his fate, throws him into paroxysms.