Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-28
For the w atchman u Journal.
ABOLITIONISM.


/ again write in haste, and OF course NV
opinions on a subject Of SO vast importance as
aboiitionism or slavery cannot be entitled to SO
much weight as they would, were they the re-
suit Of more deliberate and careful enquiry
But have often thought, and have read much
even in childhood, on slavery. The subject is
not, therefore, entirely new TO me.
Without intending, at this time, TO engage
much in discussion, aim merely to state my
views, on all, or nearly oil, the controverted
points in the discussion, in as brief a manner
as possible, thereby giving to any one an OPP
portuniiy OF convincing me Of error, wherever
may happen 10 be wrong. But this must be
done in friendly manner, and in far differ
emf spirit than seems TO actuate majority Of
the aboliionist periodicals Of the day, and
some Of their opponents.
will first state wherein agree with the ab.
olitionists. !. | belive with them that slavery
is an evil that the VOLUNTARILY holding men
in serpitude, as Slaves, is sin against God. II
does not seem necessary to multiply words on
this point, in order to be correctly understood.
Suffer me 10 remark, however, that the above
is unquestionably the generally received opin-
ion among all classes Of men in the free states.
9. believe, with the abolitionists, that slave
ry should be abolished, as soon as it can be done,
and slape than tie continuance of slavery itself
suppose that no intelligent and candid aboi-
ZIONIST will quarrel with the above sentiment.
1t only remains to be shown when the period
for the abolition Of slavery has arrived. This
is point not now be discussed.
8. l believe with the aboltionists, or at least
with majority, if not oil, Of the most candid
and intelligent, that the free states hare no ciu-
IL potoer iohich they can erert for the abolition
Of slavery that each state must regulate this
subject for itself; nor has any po,cer been pes-
ted in Congress or the federal government over
The subject Of Slavery, so as 10 enable them to
accomplish its abolition. Consequently, if ever
slavery is abolished, it must be done by the
slaveholding states themselves. The power Of
the non slaveholding states can be only advi-
sorry.
4. | believe With the abolilonisis that Con-
gresS alone possesses potoer TO abolish slavery in
The District of Columbia. They certainly can
exercise exclusive legislation in all cares
whatever over" the District, and the states OF
Virginia and Maryland by their cession to the
General Government have lost all legislative
authority and control over the same. 1t would
be preposterous in The extreme 10 maintain that
slavery cannot be abolished at all in that Dis
trict, and if Congress does not possess the
!
! will next state wherein cannot agree with
the abotlonists, or at least with some of their
lea ding writers and lecturers.
| |. | cannot believe that all slave holding is
sin. O'Connel and Garrison may SANDER the
character of Washington, and other great and
good men, as much or as little as they choose ;
| have no doubt, but they acted as good men
should act in their circumstances. All rolun-
tary slave holding believe TO be sinful, and
incapable of justification. But VIC must
view the case az il actually is. The present
generation were not the authors Of the present
system Of slavery. The crime OF its introduc.
ton belongs not 10 them; the crime of its vol
untary continuance may indeed be theirs, aud
| am willing 10 admit, il is fearful thing. He
who holds slave for gain, merely, is doing q
fearful wrong, bnt he who holds a slave be.
cause the laws Of his state will not permit him
10 cmancipate him, or because his slave is moi
mentally nor morally qualified for freedom
and does all in his power 10 promote the com.
fort of his slave and 10 elevate his character
is only doing what duty requires him to do
Slavery can only be justified by necessity
Can any man nf sane mind, deny that this ne
cessity does not sometimes exist
.. bject in toto to the doctrine official & i'm,
mediate emancipation" Slavery ia the entire sub
JeCilOH OF one person 20 inc VIII oil announcer. M
slave may cease 10 be regarded as property iha
may be bought & sold the law may even proiec
him in his social rights as a husband, paren
or child, yet if his master may command hi
services even as an apprentice, and retain bin
from running at large, know not what othe
name TO call him than n slave. Certainly he il
not freeman. But who seriously doubts
except it be a very few crazy fanatics-that i
The slaves were Immediately and universal,
let loose from all restraint, and raised in Law
10 the dignity tf ireemen-degraded as the,
are represented to be by both the sbolitonists
and tho defenders of slavery at the South-th
consequences must be disastrous in the OK
IRENE What then is the remedy for rhi
great and alarming evil II is no less thai
the making both the master and the slave
Chris iians in deed and in truth. 1t is making
them both willing and able to be free. A nigh
ty revolution is needed at the South, and III
efforts Of our abotionists are only throwin
obstacles in The way Of its grogress.
am aware that the doctrine against whic