were women and children. Abolitionists who had lived in slave
States never indulged in flippant remarks fitted to incite
insurrection. This was reserved for the few agitators far removed
from the scene of action.

* Schouler, "History of the United States under the
Constitution," vol. V, p. 217.

Southern planters who had determined at all hazards to perpetuate
the institution of slavery were peculiarly sensitive on account
of what was taking place in Spanish America and in the British
West Indies. Mexico abolished slavery in 1829, and united with
Colombia in encouraging Cuba to throw off the Spanish yoke,
abolish slavery, and join the sisterhood of New World republics.
This led to an effective protest on the part of the United
States. Both Spain and Mexico were advised that the United States
could not with safety to its own interests permit the
emancipation of slaves in the island of Cuba. But with the
British Emancipation Act of 1833, Cuba became the only
neighboring territory in which slavery was legal. These acts of
emancipation added zeal to the determination of the Southern
planters to secure territory for the indefinite extension of
slavery to the southwest. When Lundy and Birney discovered these
plans, their desire to husband and extend the direct political
influence of abolitionists was greatly stimulated. To this end
they maintained a moderate and conservative attitude. They took
care that no abuse or misrepresentation should betray them into
any expression which would diminish their influence with
fair-minded, reasonable men. They were convinced that a clear and
complete revelation of the facts would lead a majority of the