The Rebellion is not only ruled by Slavery, but, owing to the peculiar condition of the Slave States, it is for the moment, according to their instinctive boast, actually reinforced by this institution.

The slaves toil at home, while the masters work at rebellion; and thus, by singular fatality, is this doomed race, without taking up arms, actually engaged in feeding, supporting, succoring, invigorating those battling for their…

The institution of Slavery in the South alone enables her to place in the field a force much larger in proportion to her white population than the North, or indeed any country which is dependent entirely on free labor.

The institution is a tower of strength to the South, particularly at the present crisis, and our enemies will be likely to find that the ‘moral cancer,’ about which their orators are so fond of prating, is really one of the most effective…

As the Rebels have already confessed the conspiracy which led to the Rebellion, so in this article do they openly confess the mainspring of their power.

With triumphant vaunt, they declare Slavery the special source of their belligerent strength.

But Slavery must be seen not only in what it does for the Rebellion, of which it is indisputable head, fountain, and life, but also in what it inflicts upon us.

There is not a community, not a family, not an individual, man, woman, or child, that does not feel its heavy, bloody hand.

Habeas Corpus and the safeguards of Freedom which you deplore are ravished by Slavery.

And all these multiplying means of war, this drum-call in your peaceful streets and these gathering armies, are on account of Slavery, and that alone.

Let all mourning the patriot dead be aroused against Slavery.

There is no principle of the Constitution, and no rule of justice, which is not as strong for one as for the other.

Does a mother drop tears for her son in the beautiful morning of his days cut down upon the distant battle-field, which he moistens with his youthful, generous blood?

I hear a strange, discordant voice saying that all this proceeds not from Slavery,--oh, no!--but from Antislavery,--that the Republicans, who hate Slavery, that the Abolitionists, are authors of this terrible calamity.

You must suspect the sense or loyalty of him who puts forth this irrational and utterly wicked imputation.

But the early Christians were misrepresented and falsely charged with crime, even as you are.

It is to their praise--destined to fill an immortal page--that from the beginning they saw the true character of Slavery, and warned against its threatening domination.

Through them the fires of Liberty have been kept alive in our country,--as Hume is constrained to confess that these same fires were kept alive in England by the Puritans, whom this great historian never praised, if he could help it.

And yet against contumely and persecution Christianity prevailed, and the name of Christian became an honor which confessors and martyrs wore as a crown.

But this painful history prefigures that of our Abolitionists, who have been treated with similar contumely; nor have they escaped persecution.

You have discerned Slavery, even before the National Union, not only a disturbing influence, but an actual bar to Union, except on condition of surrender to its immoral behests.

You have watched Slavery constantly militant on the presentation of any proposition with regard to it, and more than once threatening dissolution of the Union.

You have discovered Slavery for many years the animating principle of a conspiracy against the Union, while it matured flagitious plans and obtained the mastery of Cabinet and President.

And when the conspiracy had balefully ripened, you have seen how only by concessions to Slavery it was encountered, as by similar concessions it had from the beginning been encouraged.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.