Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-01-18

new lISnI, WOulu dIOuSe IHo "uOlc COlIl-
and shake the entire system of
slavery to its foundations Is not the
overthrow of this system an object to
which, under the force Of the same rea-
sons, all Christians ought earnestly 10 ad-
dress themselves? Is there any other
probable method of achieving this inesti-
mable consummation Will it not consti-
tute a noble and characteristic triumph
for Christianity? And is not the abetting
of slavery, and even an acquiesc, nee in it
sin, of which every disciple of Christ
ought instantly t. wash his hands!
The resolutions we transmit 10 you,
dear brethren, do not refer exclusively to
the letters which bind the slave; they
avert also the prejudces which aflict the
colored freeman. We can not say that
we feel at all less strongly on this subject
than on slavery itself There are indeed
reasons which make it to us the more af-
fictive Of the two The degradation of
the free blacks is certainly not "politcal
institution Of any part Of the Union, nor
is it founded on any different relation
which they bear to the body polite, as
compared with the whites. And whatev-
er pretext might be found for their oppres-
sion in a region of slaves, there obviously
can be none where slavery is unknown.
Yet strong and general prejudice against
people OF color is cherished even in the
northern states; where it must be mat
ter of Mere prejudice, generated by the
pride which it subsequently fosters, and
as ungenerous and unholy as it is proud.
1t is to US nothing less than marvellous,
that this grlevous oppression, both Of the
bond and the free, should exist and be
chung to by nation which glories in its
liberty, and which was the first TO pro-
claim to other lands that the rights of all
are equal; but it is not for us to bewail
this inconsistency, nor the injury which ia
thus done, IN the eyes Of the world, to the
otherwise noble institutions which it i'm
pairs and undermines 1t is however,
more than marvellous to US, it is almost in
credible, that the indefensible and cruel
prejudice against persons Of color should
have been adopted by the churches of
Christ, and manifested in the worship and
ordinances of his house. He was meek
and lowl " in heart; are his followers not
to copy his example} Would he have
treated persons of African descent as the
slightest mixture Of tainted blood causes
them to be treated among you? You
know that he would not; and if you imi-
tate his example you will do so no more.
Degrading distinctions, which say not L" |
am hoIier,' but only " | am whittier than
thou will instantly be banished from
places of divine worship; and the refor-
nation begun here, will be extended
cheerfully 10 the entire system of which
these are part.
In pressing the fulflment of this duty
upon you, dear brethren, we have the ad
vantage Of being able to say, that it is i'm
peded by no obstacle There can be nc
case in which the retention of the preiu
dice we are combating can be obligatory
or Imperative In indulging it, you are
only either pampering the pride of your
own hearts, or yielding to the current Of
feeling around you. AS Christians, you
are called on to mortify the former, and
stem the latter. Nothing binders you
from beginning, and even from triumph
ing at once. The object may be achieved
the first moment you are determined tc
achieve it. and permit US to assure vou
that whenever this moment shall arrive
1t Will be inferior to none in the history o
your churches, for honor 10 the name y on
profess, for prosperity to the churches you
compose, and for prosperity to the country
you adorn.
Dear brethren, L" our mouth is open IN
to you, our heart is enlarged' But we
speak not alone. We call TO remembrance
that we are addressing body, the senti
ments Of some Of whom and number
rapidly increasing, are in unison with oul
own. We rejoice in the abundant evi
dence which has reached US, Of the fac
that the attention Of many has been awak
ened, and that the voices of many have
been heard. Yes, America has heard or
this subject the voices of many other sons
and with delight we have seen among the
band OF her abOlitionists land many in spir
1t, we trust, are such, who may not have
t adopted the name) a large number of GU
own denomination. No words can ex
press the warmth Of our sympathy witt
, them, or the ardor of our desire, that OF
/ this great occasion our entire denomina
, ton may be of one heart and one mind -
Be assured, dear brethren, that the ex
tinction ofoppression, whether ofthe bont
or free, is work which lies with tn
t churches of Christ. They can do it,
! They must do it. They will be response
BILE for the continuance ofoppression, witt
A all its crimes and horrors, ifthey do it no,
Y And as no portion of the church of Chris
= in the United States is more infuentia
e than your own, as none has been NOR
B, abundantly blessed with those extraordin
D airy operations which exhibit religion j
: its mlghtiest energies as none is NOR
d prompt or more vigorous in all othe