State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-05
MONTPELIER, (vT) JULY y, 1886.

small southern prizes, it was far more
probable that it would draw some fatal
southern blanks The conclusion was that
the enactment of gag law should not be
risked; that the Joint committee should
not report one; but that they should do no
more than to report series of resolutions
abusing and black balling the abotionsts
in customary style, and as q matter of
course, extolIing the 'chvalry,' and lomes-
tic Institutions OF the South. These reso-
lutions together with the Governors mes
sage, were to appease the South, and she
was to receive them in exchange for her
greater claims. 1t was however, thought
advisable, in order to render the satisfaction
of the South more sure, to make egisa-
i tive pro slavery dnsl at the Oneida Insti-
tute. i admire the cunning which was
displayed in the selection of this school.
! Had it been a school of an ordinary char
acter, not even the incubus of Slavery,
| which presses upon the whole length and
breadth of the State, could have restrained
the general expression of indignation at
this outrage. But they selected a school of
peculiar character the first manual labor
school ever established in our country a
school which is emphatically the poor boys
school, and one, where to use the language
of the resolutions before you, the coarse
clad and hard handed sons Of honest pow
erty may have an opportunity to improve
their minds And here, sir, lay it down
as general truth, that, whenever slavery
is in the ascendent, rs it now is, the labor
ing poor, and the provisions made for their
improvement, are sneered at and attacked
with comparative IMMUNITY. As proof Of
| this, there is not, believe, single political
newspaper in this State, that has raised its
voice against this outrage upon the Oneida
institute. But had similar attack been
made on Union College, or Columbia Col
lege, or some other resort of the sons of
the wealthy and fashionable, the whole
editorial corps Of our State would have
been prompt to avonge the injury. They
selected school prominent for It's opposi-
ton 10 slavery, and intemperance, and
lewdness, and the other prevalent vices of
our country. They knew, too, that the
combination of manual labor with study,
was not yet so general in our country, as to
be popular. They knew too of the odium
which rested on efforts to abolish slavery,
and to advance the principles of that til oro'
Temperance which is advocated in the One
ida Institute. Here then, sir, was school
so weak in the public sympathy, that its as.
sailants would have nothing To fear from its
insignificant avengers and they would get
as much credit with the South for the blow
they aimed al this school, as they would
had they aimed it at Union College, or at
some other seminary which had struck its
roots wide and deep in the popular favor,
and was therefore, able TO return, and with
interest too any injustice it might receive,
| from that source. | ask you again. sir, is it
not time that slavery should be destroyed
Can we witness those eXertions of It's power
over the minds of our Legislators, and not
feel that it is high time that slavery should be
destroyed?
But, sir, why have been OBTAINING you
with this comparatively insignificant ex-
hibiton Of the fearful power and bitter
fruits Of slavery? Why did not tell you
in the beginning, in abundant proof that
slavery must be destroyed, that its ponder
GUS iron heel is already on the necks of
more than two millions of its bleeding VIC
TINS that it has stripped them of all the
dear and sacred rights of man; and that it
impudently and blasphemously says TO God
-" these millions of your rational crea-
lures shall never be permitted TO know you,
and the homage of their hearts you shall
never have" But again | say, why did |
not tell You in the beginning, in abundant
proof, that slavery must be destroyed, that
The Demon is ut this moment artiully and
powerfully busy III stretching out his do
minioE over immense regions of the South
west and, that, until he is destroyed and
driven from our country, no part of it-not
even that where our Zines have fallen will
[ he secure against coming into cnine sub
lection to his power.
Slavery, sir, must be destroyed. But
then follows the question, how shall it be
destroyed? l answer by continuing TO en-
ploy, unhinchingly and persevereingly, the
same means substantially, which we have
hitherto employed by an honest and
fearless and yet kind exhibition of the
truth. Truth, sir, is the lthurieIs spear,
which has started up the monster, and
shown his huge dimensions and mighty
power. Let lis continue TO pour the light
of truth into his dark and filthy den, until
he shall be distinctly seen in his true char
acter, when he will he as universally hated.
What, if under this stream, his rage do
swell, and his cOntOrtlons increase, they
will only serve to make him more manifest,
and to draw upon him speeder and more
fatal vengeance.
On the present occasion, sir, we have
special duty TO perform IN aid of the sa-
cred cause of anti-slavery. Tie providence
of God affords us an eminently favorable
opportunity to attest the sincerity of our
devotion to this cause. BY extending a
helping hand to the school which has fall
EN- under pro-slavcry vengeance, we shall
be giving good proof of our appreciation of
the great principles of that cause. These
principles the Oneida Institute has had the
courage and the honesty TO espouse. With
these principles, hated yet beautifll--per-
secuted, but one day triumphant and glo-
rious-she has even dared TO identify her
self She has made common cause with