impossible, by the action of the Abolitionists, as they were called, who,
governed by the short logic, that slavery being wrong, it could not exist
a moment without sin, and therefore must be abandoned at once without
regard to consequences. The system of slavery was no longer a social or
political problem, calling for great wisdom, prudence, statesmanship, and
patience, but a personal crime, not to be tolerated for a moment. The
whole South was divided by them into two classes, the oppressor and
oppressed, the kidnapper and kidnapped, the tyrant and the slave--a
relationship which liberty, religion, justice, humanity, alike demanded
should be severed without a moment's delay.

These views, in the judgment of the press at the time, and of sound
statesmen, would eventually end in civil war, if adopted by the entire
North, and hence they denounced them. The Abolitionists were considered by
all as enemies to the Union, whom the lower classes felt should be put
down, if necessary, by violence. This feeling was increased by the action
of William Lloyd Garrison, the founder of the society, who went to
England, and joined with the antislavery men there in abusing this country
for its inconsistency and crime. These causes produced a state of public
feeling that would be very apt to exhibit itself on the first opportunity.
When, therefore, in the autumn of 1833, after Garrison's return from
England, a notice appeared for an antislavery meeting in Clinton Hall,
some of the most respectable men in New York determined to attend, and
crush out, by the weight of their influence, the dangerous movement.
Another class was resolved to effect the same project in another way, and
on the 2d of October the following placard was posted in naming letters
all over the city:

NOTICE