State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-16
From The Cincinnati Gazetto.

>
Gazette, and the call for IA meeting tomor-
row, in yesterdays paper, shew that our
city is somewhat agiiated upon the vexa-
tous subject of abolition. We have not
felt at liberty to decline publishing either
of these articles though we esteemed the
first indiscreet, and Il second unnecessary.
The tendency of both is to magniiya paltry
concern into importance. The abolitonists
established press in our city, from which
they issued paper, of very little force,
entitled "The PhiidnthropiSt." Some in
dividuals broke into the press room, at mid
night, and tore down their press. This
was burglary which our law Furnishes
when the perpetrators are detected, as it
does those who break into a store, at night,
and plumber it of merchandise. Whether
the exciting cause of avarice, in the one
case, is more reprehensible, in morals, than
the exciting cause of malice or mischief,
in the other, need not be now discussed.
The law makes both criminal affixes to
both the same character, and subjects both
to infamous punishment.
The parties injured had before them their
legal redress But not content with resort
ing to that, they sought to attract attention
TO the case, by obtaining proclamation
from the Mayor They were gratified with
n proclamation quite upon the eXtraordina-
ny. Then came threatening hand-blls cir
culated in the night, incendiary alike, in,
their contents, and i'll the hour of circula-
ton. All this is discreditable to our city {;
but we have had similar doings upon do
mestic subjects, that passed off without
much mischief or any celebrity.
| There is, however, to be u public meet
| ing, and what should he done by it? Is it
proposed to abrogate the constitution, or to
suspend our laws? We have had public
meeting expressing decided condemnation
of Abolitonism. What more can public
meeting do, consistent with the duties of
faithful citizens? They may repeat their
disapprobation of the course of the aboli-
tonists, but can they identify the citizens,
at large, with the burglars and circulators
of incendiary papers, us already noticed
Can any reasonable man think of this
Upon this subject there ought TO be hut
one voice. That a difference of opinion
should exist, in such case, is an alarming
evidence of strange revolution amongst
us.
What is, in plain truth, the proposition
before us? 1t is this--THERE Is ONE
SUBJECT UPON WHICH THE PRESS
SHALL BE MUZZLED, AND AS THE
CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS
FORBID THIS, 1T SHALL BE AC-
COMPLISHED BY UNLAWFUL VIO-
LENCE. There can lie no nlisapprehen-
sion of the true state Of the case. If free
discussion be denied, where the law permits
it, upon one subject, at this day, who shall
say that il may not be forbidden upon any
subject at u future day? IL avails nothing
to say that the subject is an exciting one
No objection is at any time made to free
discussion except upon exciting subjects.
1t is for times of excitement that our con-
sttutonal provision is made, securing the
| liberty of tie press against legislative enact
ments to cripple or restrain II. The pro-
lection is intended for the FEW against
the MANY. And now the sentiment is
alleged to he prevalent, that the MANY will
PROSTATE the FEW, with open and high
handed violence!
But reason is assigned this is special,
an extraordinary case, and calls for cor
respondent remedy Truly, the case is an
extraordinary one! A few years ago, and
the CURSE OF SLAVERY was theme for
the school-boy exercises, juvenile orations,
statesmen speculations. Motaphorically
speaking, the press groaned under It's bur-
then of reprehensions, upon the curse of
SluNtTN. Alu IloWy W iEhO tiut ~ 10 az
evil which should be eradicaled, is es-
teemed monstrous offence against all
proprietyi Whence this reyulsion of
opinion? Is not this an inquiry worth ma
king? Is slavery no longer II curse is il
converted into Il blessing? Can it be wrong
TO discuss these inquiries ? If slavery
should he tolerated: if it should be cult
waited if lis conveniences overbalance its
4 - oil N If ~
a.curse, why not indulge in free eXum-
nation of the whole case? Why not con-
slider the propriety and the advantage OF
participating in its convenences, and the
necessity of reforming our constitution for
that end? And if it remain curse, by
whit rule of right shall the majority assume
to close the lips, and stille the voices of the
minority, who continue to discuss il, us, IN
by-gone times, all discussed it,
A gain, it is said the constitution has
secured slave properly, none should now
argue against it, Yes the constitution has
secured it, and how? Bynever naming it.
BY a kind of silent shame-faced endurance
of it. And The constitution has secured
the freedom of speech aud of the press -
not by eschewing to name them, but by a
broad, strong, explicit declaration. Coils
ion has arisen between that, which is bare
~ tolerated, an admitted curse, and that
which is distinctly asserted as an essential
=, good, and the constitutional toleratlon Is
= quoted as a reason for abrogating, in par
ticulur case, constitutional safeguard ioi
the highest privilege of reemen--Jreedom
/ Of speech and Of the press
/, 1t is again alleged, that the federation Of
!. Abolitonism Injuries our ciIy--hy bringing
9 il into bad odor, with southern men. And
!, will not Mobocracy, also, injure our city
n 1t is gravely advised TO PROSTATE our Con
r stitution and Laws, to conciliato particular
a class of citizens of other States because