State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-08

cd to resist all dmdlgdmdtionS 10 the last
extremity!
We shall publish the proceedings of the
dissenting members of the Convention next
week, with practical remarks.
O. We present the following in offset
20 Mr. Cahouns Gag Law Report:
LETTER OF Mr.. GARRISON.
BRooKFIELD, CT. Feb. 10, 1886.
Ny Dear Friend:
shall mingle my spirit with the brave
spirits who purpose to attend the annual
meeting of the Vermont Anti-S Slavery So
ciety at Middlebury, on the 10th and 18th
instant. There are many reasons why
should desire to be present with you lin
the flesh OH that occasion. .4bohtionism
IS indigenous to The soil Of Vermont Yours
was the first State Society that was regular
ly organized in this country, for the imme-
diate eXtrpaton of American savery-a
system which Lord Brougham brands as
that most Internal scourge of humanity
and which john WESLEY described as
that eyecrable vilany, which is the scan
dial of religion and of human nature' AL
most my first efforts in the sacred cause of
UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION, flor we are
struggling to preserve our own rights, as
well us to recover the liberties of southern
bondmen, hence it is common cause
were made in Vermont more than seven
years ago. 1t was suitable place-of all
Others the best chosen to plant the stan
dard of Liberty upon the summit of her
Green Mountains, and to blow the trump of
Liberty through all her valleys. One of
our opponents tells us that the world is
one great whispering gallery,whose faintest
echoes reach alike the ears of the oppressed
and the Oppressor. No wonder, therefore,
that the latter trembles when he hears the
voice OF humanity, and that he commands
us to be silent upon peril Of our lives. |
remember with lively satisfaction, how
readily procured the names of TWENTY
THREE HUNDRED of your free inhabitants,
in the course of three of four weeks, TO a
petition praying for the abolition of slavery
in the District Of Columbia-the largest
petition on this subject if mistake not,
that has ever been presented 10 Congress,
and procured at time, moreover, when the
people of other States were slumbering in
the arms of indifference. Honor to whom
honor is due OF Fall the Northern Repre-
sentatives in Congress, during its present
session, who has most ably advocated the
cause OF insulted, down trodden humanity,
and most firmly sustained the dignity of
the North? A representative from YER
mont-WILLIAM SLADE. read an anec-
dote some years ago, which is probably
familiar to many, but which | quote as
characteristic of the spirit which animates
the people of your patriotic State. A slave
holder, in pursuit of a runaway slave, find
ing him in one of your villages, pounced
upon him, and brought him before the
Court, presenting at the same time what he
considered indubitahe evidence that the
victim was his lawful property. Still the
Judge demurred-he wanted other proof
At last the proving Oppressor passionately
desired to know CT the Judge what evidence
would satisfy him that the slave belonged
TO the claimant? '.4 bill of sale from the
almighty was the memorable reply."-
These things make me love and honor
Vermont. The anecdote | have related
reminds me of the beautiful simle used by
the great Bard Of Nature:
How far that little candle throws its beams
SO shines good deed in naughty toorld'
Henceforth, when the American oppressor
attempts to convince us that the slaves are
his property, by pointing us to the color of
their skin and the texture of their hair, by
showing lis how large sum he has paid
for their bodies and souls by proving that
they were bequeathed to him by some de-
funct predecessor, we will kindle at the in
suit, and tell him that nothing will satisfy
us but A BILL OF SALE FROM THE
ALMIGHTY!
For what are we battling? Ii is for the
dignity, the equality, the acknowledgements
of our common nature! Every sixth man,
woman, child, and babe, in the United
States,- constituting number as large as
the whole population of New England,-
is in bondage, and their cries are hourly
horne to our ears, by the winds of heaven
II any of us were in their condition, what
would be the doctrine we should desire our
advocates to preach for our deliverance
What! repatriation TO barbarous land as
the condition of our freedom What a
gradual sunderlng of our chains? No, No.
II would he the doctrine of immediate, TO-
tai, EVERLASTING emancipation In the
mighty conflict of l776, between the mother
countryand her colonies, no other doctrine
was listened to for moment by your pa
triotic sires--least of all by the independent
yeomanry of Vermont, for the mountains
of the earth have always been the chosen
abode of LIBERTY, and no wonder that she
makes them Green Mountains, rs her foot
4
when the reading Of this letter was concluded,
the Hon Dorastus Wooster Of Middlebury rose
and stated that the transaction here referred to
took place in THE VERY ROOM, where the
i Society was then assembled The memorable
decision was pronounced by the late Judge Ilar-
rington OF Clarendon, man remarkable for HE
nnyielding frmuess and practical COED sense The
ann1ncation OF this fact as may well be conceived
produced thrilling effect