State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-09
Forthc State journal.
PRINCIPLES AND MEASURES OF
THE ABOLITIONISTS No. 4.

the principles of immediate emancipation
nre doing and suffering much the same
things as the Mothodsts have in times past,
it was not my intention to cast any unfavor-
able reflection upon those churches which
in those days. thought it cXpedient to OPP
pose the principles and measures Of our
neople. Suffice 1t TO say, that since the
system which was the cause of the conten-
ton has ceased, the contending parties,
though differing in some things, have new
crthelcss shaken hands, sand acknowledged
each other as fellow laborers IN the same
common cause of cvangeliZing the world.
And may we not expect the same happy
termination of our present difficulties, when
the system of slavery, which is the cause
ufthem. ceases Although the storm may
rage while it continues, it will all doubtless
PASS away when it comes to an end. Nor
will our brethren at the south, who are SO
dissatisfied with our proceedings now, have
any the less esteem for MS then, on account
orthe part which we have taken in the
present controversy. They will not then
blame us for having so plainly told them
the truth. We have then nothing to fear
from the final result, unless slavery is to
continue: and we believe that the God of
ihe oppressed has decrced that this shall
not he.
That this discussion is attended with such
fearful consequences to our churches, as
has been intimated, is evidently mistake.
AboIitionism probably prevails rs much
within the bounds of this conference as it
docs within those of any other Aud yet
we know not that we We're ever more at
peace amongst ourselves, both among
preachers and people, than at present. We
seriously doubt whether those who have
so frequently m.A publicly accused us of
sowing discord among the people of our
charge, can point to single instance
where any such dscord prevails. fthey
can, let them do it. Ifthey cannot, we hope
they will accuse us no more, until they first
ascertain the correctness ofthcir assertions.
That some unpleasant things may have
occurred in consequence Of AN attempt of
certain individuals from abroad to put
down discussion will he admitted, but for
this they are accountable, and not we. --
And finally, from all that we can learn, we
are satisfied that the tOrma ion of Anti
Slavery Societies amongst MS, has no more
tendency to disunlon, prevent reformation,
or hinder the work of God in any way,
than has the formation of Missionary, Bible,
Temperance, or any other of the benevo-
lent Societies that have been formed among
us. IT, however, the cause of God is in
jured, It will not be by those who advocate
the truth, but by those who oppose it.
Notwithstanding it has always been the
policy of the aholtionists to keep all their
plans before the public, many manifest
great ignorance respecting them. They
are constantly inquiring, "Wbat do these
abolitiUuists mean 7" or "What do they
expect to accomplish by the course which
they are pursuing" They tcll us that
they feel interested for the slave aud would
gladly do something for his relief, ifthey
knew what to do. But the aboltionsts, say
they, have never enlightened them on this
point They have never given us any plan
notwithstanding all the noise they have
made in the world, by which to effect the
purposes they have in view. But if they
had listened as attentyely TO what the abo-
itionsts have said, as they have TO what
others have said about them, and searched
as diligently to know and do their duty, as
TO find some excuse for not doing it they
would not, at this late hour of the day
have been found id!ing away their time
while millions of their countrymcn ready to
perish, are crying to them for help, unless
I they could have found some better excuse
than merely that they could find nothing to
do. For no society has ever more clearly
laid before the public, the whole plan Of
their operations than have the abolionists
The abolitonists intend to make ali eXhi-
bltion of the whole character of slavery
TO show that it is both sinful and unprOhta-
blc to the nation and that there can be no
good reason why it should be continued.
They mean also to rouse up the attention
of the whole nation to the rights and wants
of the colored people, and show that they
should no longer be treated as brutes but as
men. And while they are thus laboring to
bring the freemen Of this nation TO a sense
of their duty, they design also to use I'M
wearied cXerions to promote the elevation
bfthe free people Of cclor in every section
bf The country where they can be found
Using all diligence to establish schools for
heir instruction; iniusing into their minds
spirit Of enterprise and of industry, and
hbove all by bringing them to the knowl-
dge of the truth as it is in Jesus. In this
way they design to rasie them above the
rejudices that now exists against them and
Ultimately to make them virtuous and
Enlightened people.
Now the more the subject of slavery is
iscussed throughout the nation, and the
pore virtuous and enlightened the free
people of color become, the more odous
nd wicked slavery will appear, and the
lore improbable will it be to those who
re engaged in it. Shareholders well UNI
erstand this; they are well aware that if
zee discussion is tolerated, and the free
eopIe of color are suffered to become Il
spectacle people, slavehoIding cannot he
istained Hence it has ever been the
picy of the shareholders at the South, and
their agents At the North, to suppress at
events, all discussion on this subject,
bd to make the condition oflhc free peo-