Come from where he may, or come for what he may, he is compelled to show his hand.

What is this mighty force?
What is its history?
and what is its destiny?
Is it ancient or modern, transient or permanent?
Has it turned aside, like a stranger and a sojourner, to tarry for a night?
or has it come to rest with us forever?
Excellent chances are here for speculation; and some of them are quite profound.

We might, for instance, proceed to inquire not only into the philosophy of the anti-slavery movement, but into the philosophy of the law, in obedience to which that movement started into existence.

We might demand to know what is that law or power, which, at different times, disposes the minds of men to this or that particular object--now for peace, and now for war--now for free{365} dom, and now for slavery; but this profound question I leave to the abolitionists of the superior class to answer.

The speculations which must precede such answer, would afford, perhaps, about the same satisfaction as the learned theories which have rained down upon the world, from time to time, as to the origin of evil.