State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-19
MONTPELIER, (vT.) JANUARY 10, 1880.

PONci Hot conferred by the COiSuluuOn
and laws, but in derogation of both; in
stead OF protesting against the charge, you
would he compelled to acknowledge its
truth, and you plead the necessity of the
case in your vindication. The weight to
be attached to such plea, may be learned
from the absurdity and ineificacy of the
New York Censorship. Be assured, sir,
your proposed law to punish the intentions
OF an author. will in its practical operations,
prove equally impotent
And now, sir, permit lis respectfully to
suggest to you, the proprety OF ascertain
ing the real designs of abolilonists, before
your approximations of them, lead you to
sanction any more trihing with the LIBER-
TY OF THE PRESS. You assume it as "A fact,
that abolitionists are mscreants, who are
laboring to effect the massacre of their
southern brethren. Are you aware of the
extent of the reproach, which such an u.s.
sumption casts upon the character of your
countrymon? In August last, the number
of Anti-Slavery SOCIETIES known to us, was
2G3; we have nOtO the names of more than
$50 societies, and accessions are daily made
to the multitude who embrace our princi-
pies. And can you think it possible, sir,
that these citizens are deliberately plotting
send publications to the south intended to
nstigate the slaves to insurrection? is
there any thing in the character and man
ners OF the free states, to warrant the inn
pulalion on their citizens of such enor-
nous wicsedncss? Have you ever heard,
sir, of whole communities in these states,
subjecting obnoxious individuals TO a mock
trial, and then in contempt of law, human
nv ,1nlihnrntol,r lori tr
them? You have seen in the public Jour
nails, great rewards offered for the perpctra-
ton of horrible crimes. We appeal to
yonr candor aud ask, Were these rewards
| offered Ivy aholitionists, or by men whose
charges against abolitionists, you have con-
descended TO sanction and disseminate?
And what, sir, is the character Of those
whom you have in your message held up to
| the eXecration of the civilized world?-
! Their enemies being Judges, they are reli-
giOuS fanatics. And what are the haun,s OF
these plotters of murder? The plupit, the
bench, the bar, the professors chair, the
| hall of legislation, the meeting for prayer
the temple of tha Most High. But strange
and monstrous us is this conspiracy, still
you believe in its existence, and call Oh
Congress to countcract it. BE persuaded
:
abundanty sufficient to render this con
spiracy utterly impotent, the moment it,
Vaccinations are exposed. Only PROV
the assertions and insnuations in YOU
message, and you dissolve in an instant CIV,
cry Anti-Slavery Society in our land
Think not, sir, that we shall interpose any
obstacle to an inquiry into our conduct. -
We invite, nay, sir we cntreat the appoint
! nv nt "a m in
vesligation, to visit the Anti-Slavery Office
in New DIRK. They shall be put in pos
session of copies of all the publications tina
have issued from our press. Our Who'll,
correspondence shall be submitted to thei
inspections our accounts of receipts anl
expenditures shall be spread before them
and we ourselves will cheerfully answe
under oath whatever Undergraduates the,
may put to us relating to the charges yol
have advanced.
Should such committee be denied, an,
should the law you propose, stigmatlzin
us as felons, be passed without inquiry int
the truth of your accusation and withou
allowing us a hearing, then shall we max
: the language of your protest our own, an
declare that, IF such proceedings shall b
/ approved and sustained by an intelligeI
= people, then will the great contest wit
: arbitrary power which had established i
5 Statutes in bills of rights, in sacred chal
e tiers, and in constitutions of government
z the right of every citizen TO II notice betor
+ trial, to Il hearing before condemnation, an
: to an impartial tribunal for deciding oil til
charge, have been made in VAIN
Before we conclude, permit us, sir, to o
fer you the following assurances.
f Our principles, our objects, and OF
$ measures, are wholly uncontamimated !
. considerations of party policy. Whatev'
e may he our respective opinions rs citizen
d of men and measures, as abolltionlsts "
Y have expressed no political preference
e aud are pursuing no party ends. FRO
+ neither of the gentlemen nominated to su
: coed you lave we any thing to hope
e fear; and TO neither of them do we inlen
IF as abolitionists, to afford any aid or inf
n ence. This declaration will, it is hope
q. satisfy the partlzans of the rival candidate
re- that il is not necessary for them to ass
ID our rights, by way of convincing the sou
T., that they do not possess our favor
S We have addressed you, sir, on this o
l. casion, with republican planness, al
IN Christian sincerity; but with no desire
derogale from the respect that il due to yo
IN or wantonly TO give You pain. To rel
~ your charges, and to disabusc the publ
N was duty we owed to ourselves, TO o
Ill children, and above all, 10 the great NJ
ne holy cause in which we are engaged.
~ That cause we believe is approved by O
TX Maker; and while we retain this belief,
T. is our intention, trusting to His directi
and protection, to perseyoro in our endeo
T. ors 10 impress upon the minds and hea
h of our countrymon the siniuness of clail
ny ing property in human beings, and the d
r. ty and wisdom Of Immediately relinquls
- ing it.
k When convinced that our endcavors q