In the extreme utterances in opposition to the petition there is a suggestion of the revolution which was to occur forty years later.
Active abolitionists who gave time and money to the promotion of the cause were always few in numbers.

Previous to 1830 abolition societies resembled associations for the prevention of cruelty to animals--in fact, in one instance at least this was made one of the professed objects.

These societies labored to induce men to act in harmony with generally acknowledged obligations, and they had no occasion for violence or persecution.

Abolitionists were distinguished for their benevolence and their unselfish devotion to the interests of the needy and the unfortunate.

It was only when the ruling classes resorted to mob violence and began to defend slavery as a divinely ordained institution that there was a radical change in the spirit of the controversy.