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THE

AMERICAN REVIEW.

No. LXXVI.

FOR MAY, 1851.

THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.

NOTWITHSTANDING the entire freedom of thought and speech which in this Republic we theoretically possess; notwithstanding the varieties of forms and opportunities existing for the discussion of the great and the small questions that arise among us; the numerous halls of legislation that are dotted over the entire surface of the nation, as well as the great central Congress of the whole; the newspapers "thick as the leaves in Vallambrosa" primary meetings and political assemblages of the people; pulpits, lecturerooms, and unrestricted book publication; and notwithstanding a certain general intelligence, and aptitude for thinking, speak ing, and writing, a calm observer must be struck with the rarity of instances in which an important question, if arising within the arena of political strife, is considered with a breadth of thought adequate to its thorough elucidation. What are the causes of this national deficiency? In the first place, we are too one-sided as individuals, and too “many-sided" as a people. Each one is born into or attaches himself to a sect, clique or faction; and every region has its predominant local dogmas and tone of thought. Each one therefore is apt to have a preconceived theory, or a local prejudice, which more or less interferes with a wide and liberal view of any question which touches the whole nation, or the discussion of which embraces general principles. In the next place, there may be too incessant

VOL. VII. NO. V. NEW SERIES.

discussion for deep thinking. The stimulus to declamation is sympathy; and the staple of declamation is appeals to feelings, to prejudices, to interests. Wise thought and consistent logic visit genius in other spheres. The daily press is too incessant in its demands for well-considered thinking, and too local in its very nature, and all its attachments, for unbiased consideration. That form of periodical literature which is the best for such modes of presenting subjects as we are lamenting the want of, and which we have endeavored to contribute to, in the establishment of this Review, is interfered with too much by the flood of foreign rivals to assume as it ought this its proper function among us. Other causes of the evil we allude to exist, but we need not at present name them. It will be seen, we may remark, that it springs from the abuse of some of our most valuable privileges, and is only another illustration of the imperfection of all human systems.

Now we would not have it inferred from these observations that we do not think this nation arrives at the truth of questions that arise within it, or that it does not as rapidly advance in the settlement of principles as others. It does so; but yet it does not outstrip others as it should, considering its unimpeded thought and unshackled press, if there was less of the friction we have described. Truth appears to be only struck out among us in fragments after the conflict of

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