226     FEELING IK REGARD TO SLAVERY.
There is much that is reasonable in all this, mixed up with a little misrepresentation, and as few men travel about with a plan for the abolition of American slavery, cut and dry in their pocket, it no doubt acts in conversation as a convenient stopper on it great deal of froth which might otherwise be discharged on so tempting a subject.    But though it be unquestionably true that the slave-holders are is favour of abolition, it is abolition of a peculiar kind, which must be at once easy and profitable; which shall peril no interest, and offend no prejudice; and which, in liberating the slave, shall enrich his master. It is needless to say, that the dream of Alnaschar pictured nothing more visionary than such an abolition.   Let slavery be abolished when it may, «nd how it may,—by slow degrees, or by one Bweeping and decisive measure of emancipation,  the immediate interests of the planters must be injuriously affected.  By no process can the injustice of centuries be repaired without sacrifice;  and the longer this reparation is delayed, the sacrifice demanded will «>* greater.
The cessation of slavery must put a stop to the