Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-01-21

authority and power not conferred by the
Constitution and laws, but in derogation
OF both - instead Of protesting against the
charge, you would be compelled to ac-
knowledge its truth, and you would plead
the neee<sity of the case in your vindica-
ton. The weight to be attached to such
a plea, may be learned frcm the absurdity
and ineffeacy of the New York Censor
ship. 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 US respectfully to
suggest to you, the propriety of ascertain
ing the real designs of abolitionists, be- !!
fore your arprehensions ofthem, lead you
to sanction any more trifing with the
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS. You assume
it as a fact, that atolitionists are misc1e-
ants, who are laboring TO effect the massa-
ere oftheir southern brethren. Are you
aware of the extent Of the reproach, which
such an assumption casts upon the cbarac-
ter Of your countrymen? In August
last, the number of Anti-Slavery Societies
known to US, was 1853; we have noao the
names of more than $50 societies, and &C
cessions are daily made to the multitude
who embrace our principles. And can
you think it possible, sir that these citi-
zens are deliberately plotting murder, and
furnishing US with funds to send publica-
items to the south intended to instgate
the slaves 10 insurrecticn ?" Is there any
thing in the character and manners of the
free states, 10 warrant the imputaticn on
their citizens of such enormous wicked
ness! Have you ever heard, sir, ofwhole
communities in these states, subjecting OBJ
noxious individuals to n ock trial, and then
in contempt of law, humanity and reli-
gicn, deliberately numbering them? You
have seen in the public journals, great re-
wards offered for the preparation of hor-
rible crimes. We appeal to your candor
and ask, were those rewards offered by
abolitiCnists or by men whose charges
against abolit;onists, you have condescend-
ed to sanction and disc inmate?
And what, sir, is the character of those
whom you have in your message held up
to the txecration Of the civil lied world ?
Their enemies being judges, they are re-
Hgi0uS fanatics. And what are the haunts
of these plotters of murder2 The pulpit,
the bench, the bar, the professors chair.
the hall of Legislation, the meeting for
prayer, the temple of the Most High
But strange and monstrous as is this con
spiracy, still you believe in It's existence,
and call on Congress 10 couAteract it.
Be persuaded. sir, the moral sense OF the
community is abundantly sufficient to rem
der this conspiracy utterl y impotent, the
moment its Vaccinations are exposed.
Only PROVE the assertions and insinu-
atoms in your message, and you dissolve
in an instant every Anti-Slavery Society
in our land. Think not, sir, that we shall
interpose any obstacle to an inquiry into
our conduct We invite, nav, sir, We en-
treat the appointment by Congress of a
committee of investigation, to visit the An
ti-SIavely Office in New York. They
shall be put in possession of copies Of all
the pub icatiCns that have issued from our
press. Our whole correspondence shall
be submitted to their inspe ction; our ac-
counts of receipts and expenditures shall
be spread before them, and we ourselves
will cheeriuIly answer under oath what
ever lntcrfogatories they may put US re-
Iatlng to the charges you have advanced
Should such a committee be denied, and
should the law you propose, stigmatizing
Us as fe]cns, be passed without inquiry in
to the truth of your accusation and with
out allowing US hearing, then shall we
make the language Of your protest our
own, and declare that, " If such proceed
lngs shall be approved and sustained BY
an intelligent people, then will the great
contest with arbitrary power which had
established in statutes, in bills Of rights,
IN sacred charters, and in constitutions of
government, the ri ght of every citizen to
a notice before trial, to a hearing before
condo mnatlon, and to an impartial tribunal
for deciding on the charge, have been
made in VAIN"
Before we conclude, permit US, sir, to
offer you the following assurances.
Our principles, our Objects and our
measures, are wholly uncontaminated bv
considerations of party policy. Whatev-
er may be our respective opinions as citi-
zens, OF men and measures, as abolition
F lists we have expressed no political prefer
ences' and are pursuing no party ends
From neither of the gentlemen nominated
to succeed you, have We any thing to hope
or fear; and to neither of them do we in
tend, as abolitionists, to afford any aid or
influence. This declaration will, it is
hoE ed, satisfy the partizans of the rival
candldat, s. that it is not nee ssary for them
TO assail ourrighss, by way of CONVINCING
! the south that they do not possess our ia.
vor.
We have addressed you, sir, on this &C.
. caslon,. with republican plainness, and