State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-05

of a Jackson or Van Buren, man, / have
also shown you a wing in Governor Nc
Duffie.
] am not ignorant that portion of the
political press, for the purpose of counter
acting and destroying the little influence /
might otherwise have in the glorious
cause in which we are embarked, impeach-
es my motives, and condemns them as the
base designs of demagogue. Our state
paper calls me "the abolition and temper
ance demagogue." Now, sir, whoever
heard of u demagogue that attacked the
giant vices of his countrymen? Whoever
heard of demagogue that sought to
correct the public heart, and TO win its
favor, by attacking the public vices? Sure
ly he must be demagogue SUI generis. If
l were not the person in question | would
say, give us more such demagogues; more
vice attacking demagogues; more of the
demagogues, who labor amidst clouds of
reproach and storms of wrath, to purify
the country of the pollutions of intemper-
ance, and to relieve millions of their coun-
trymen from the yoke of bondage.
Since ain upon this strain of egotism,
let me say a few words ON my politics.
Il
when was somewhat of political parti-
IAN. Such periods there may be again.
Improble as it is, that shall ever be a
politician again, will not cut myself of
by any promises secret or published, that /
will never hereafter be politician. But
to show you how utterly groundless is the
attempt of the State paper and its affiliated
presses to prejudice your precious cause,
through the sides of my humble sell, by
holding ME up, week after week, and day
after day, as an aspiring politician, and
even political leader, | state to you that
since the year 1928, have not been in Il
political meeting; that since that year
have not written political article; and
that the aggregate of the time, ! have spent
at the polls of elections since that year,
does not exceed five minutes. And let me
add that when i have voted since the year
1923, which, | am ashamed to say have
not always been careful TO do; the compo-
sition of my vote has not Invariably been
satisfactory TO either party.
But, sir, / know not what j or any other
abolitionst has to hope for from either of
the political parties They are endeavoring
surpass each other in their abuse and Will
fcation of us. rejoice that the abolition
lists are expelled from both of the political
parties and, | trust that we shall contrive
to stand by ourselves, fully determined
never to blend and pollute our holy cause
with party schemes, but always TO trust to
its intrinsic power and the blessing of God
upon it for its perfect and glorious success.
To return from this DEPRESSION, what is
the condition of the paltical press of this
h.ye Nlyh IN
will, the political press Of this State is
muzzled by slavery. Not dozen news
papers in this State dare to speak out
against slavery whilst almost all Of them
are ready to offer apologies for the abomi-
nation, and many of them to speak in high
praises oft. Sir, is it possible that we can
look on these things, and not feel that
slavery must be destroyed? How stood the
political press of this country in relation to
the scenes of the 2lst of October? Was
it faithful TO the great cause of civil liberty?
to the sacred cause of human rights? No,
il was not. 1t was treacherously untaithiul.
WHY, sir, if am not misnformed, the
public have never known TO this day from
the political press of this county, that there
was a mob in this city on the 2lst of Oct.
last, or that any thing was done by the
people of Utica between sunrise and sun
set on that memorable day, which they
have good cause to regret. Had but sin
gle STAKEHOLDER, and appeal to the candor
of every nearer for the truth of what ! say,
had hut single stakeholder been insulted
in the streets of this city, on that day, for
his sIaveholding, the press OF this country
would have been trumpet tongued TO
deep seated respect for law and right; but
because the five hundred men driven from
this temple were the enemies of slavery,
the press observes profound silence about
the enorInity, and thereby sanctions it.
Let us now, sir, turn our attention TO the
proceedings, which occasioned the call of
this meeting, to see in thema further argu-
ment for the necessary destruction of slave
nv. Our Senate have undertaken to regu-
late the political and moral complexion of
the members of our schools. The Consti-
tuition of the State allows them 10 vote on
the bare qualifications ofage and residence;
but our Senate, raising itself above the
Constitution, threatens to limit this right to
those of them, who will vote for what it
is pleased to call the republican party
The Constitution guarantees religious free
dom; but our Senate, in defiance of this
instrument, threatens to outlaw the religion
which adjudges slavery to be sin. Had
the Oneida Institute generally leaned to
this said republican party aud had its
system of ethics been such as justifies
slavery it would never have been taken in
hand by the Senate.
But it is asked, is slavery 10 blame for
these proceedings of our Senate? Yes, it
is, these proceedings are mauifesty sac
rificial offering TO that demon. The South
insisted that the authorities of the free
States should manifest their respect for the
venerable, and as Governor McDuf1ie calls
it, pntriarchal institution of slavery. Our
Governor was quick to respond TO the
claim, and our Legislature was looked TO