State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-19
PROTEST
OF THE AMERICAN ANT1-SLAvERY
SOCIETY,".
TO the President ofthe United States'

| must also invite your attcutlOn 10 Tue
painful excitement produced i'll the south
BY attempts TO circulate through the mails
inGammatory appeals, addressed TO the pas !
Sions Of the SlGreS, i'll prints and III various
sorts of publications, calculated to stimulate
then, 10 Instruction, and produce all the
horrors ofa serUile lOdr. There is doubtless
no respectable portion Of our countrymen
who can be so far miscd as to feel any
other sentiment than that of indignant re-
yret nj conduct so destructive OF the har |
uonv and peace of the country, and so re- |
uurnant TO the principles Of our national
eompact, and TO the dictates Of humanity
and rcIipion.' You remark that it is tortu-
nate that the people of the north have Civ
cn so strong and impressive n tone to the
sentiments entertained against the proceeu-
ings of the misguided persons who have
engaged in these unconstitutional and tctck-
ed attempts And you proceed to suggest
TO Congress, the proprety OF passing such
a law MS will prohibit under severe penal
ties. the circulation in the southern states,
through the mails, of incendiary publica-
lions, INTENDED TO ercite the Starcs to inSur-
rectiOn.'
A servile instruction, rs experience has
shown, involves the slaughter of tile
whites, without respect to sex or age
Hence sir, the purport OF the information
YOU have communicated TO Congress, and
to the world, is, that there are American
citizens. who in violation of the dictates of
humanity and religion, have engaged Ill
unconstitutional and wicked attempts TO
circulate through the mails, infammatory
oppcals. addressed to the passions of the
slaves. aud which appeals, as is implied in
the object of your proposed law, are intend
ed to stimulate the slaves to indlscrimnate
massacre. Recent events rreslstlbly con
fine the application of your remarks to the
officers mud members ofthc American Anti
Slavery Society and its auXlllares.
On the 2Sth March, 1885, the Senate of
the United States passed the following reso-
luton:
Resolved, Tint the President i'll relation
TO the public revenue, has assumed upon
himself authority and power not conferred
NV the constitution and laws, but i'll defoga-
lion of BOTH
On the l5th of the ensuing month, you
transmitted TO that body your solemn pro-
test against their decision. Instructed by
your example we now, sir, i'll behalf ofthe
society of which we are the constituted
organs, and in behalf of all who are associ-
atcd with it, present to you this, our solemn
protest against your grievous and unlound-
ed accusations.
Should it be supposed that i'll thus ad-
dressing you we are wanting IN the respect
due TO your exalted station, we oilcr Ill our
vindication your own acknowledgement TO
the Senate "Subject only to the RESTRAINTS
of truth and justice, the free people OF the
United States have the undoubted right as
individuals, or collectively, orally or in
writing, at such times and in such language
and form as they may think proper, TO dis
cuss his t,he President's) official conduct,
and to express and promulgate their opin-
ions concerning it
In the exercise of this undoubted right,
we protest against the'judgment you have
pronounced against aholitionlsts.
First, Because, in rendering that judg
yncnt officially, you have assumed power
not belonging TO your Office.
You complained that the resolution cen
surfing your conduct, though adopted b.
the Senate in its legislative capacity, is ii
its effect and in its characteristics, essential
. " judicial And thus, sir, although tin
charges of which we complain were made
by YOU in your executive capacity, they ar
equally with the resolution essentially Judi
cial. The Senate adludged that your con
duct was unconstitutional. You pass tn
same Judgment on our efforts. Nay, sill
YOU 90 farther than the Senate. That bod
1orhore to impeach your motlves-but y0
have assumed the prerogailve, not oniy OF
court oflaw, but of consclcnce-and pro
nounce our efforts TO be wicked as well 4
unconstitutional.
Secondly We protest against the publieit
you have given TO your accusations,
You felt it to be grievance that tn
charge Against you was spread upon I'll
r., ba ruhlS hpI tlp
ton and to the world made part of OF
enduring archievcs, and Incorporated in III
history Of the age. The punishment I
removal from office, and future dlsqualif
cation does not follow the decision but I'll
moral influence of solemn declaration /
majority of the Senate, that the accuse
is guilty of the offence charged upon hi
has been as cfiectually secured Us If II
like declaration had been made upon 6
impeachment expressed in the same term
And is it nothing, sir, that we are of
eially charged by the President of the
States, with wicked and unconstitution
efforts, and with harboring the most eX
crable Intentions; and this too in doc
ment spread upon the journals of both hou
es ofCongress, published 10 the nation al
10 the world, made part of our enduring Il
chieyes, and Incorporated into the histo
ofthe age? 1t is true that although "
have given Judgment against us you cam
award execution. We are not indeed su
iected to the penalty of murders but ne
we ask you SIR, what will be the moral ,
Fuence OF your declaration that we have
tended its Preparation
Thirdly, We protest against your CO
demnation OF us unheayd.