Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-05

complicated injustice and cruelty, we are
directly and efficiently lending our aid % its
support, happy would it be for US and for
suffering humanity should we be enabled
to make firm and decided stand seek for
the direction of that Wisdom which is
profitable, in extricating ourselves from
the awful responsibility, and be prepared
to make any sacrifice which may be re-
quired in order to secure that enjoyment
which is only to be found in the path of
obedience.
In commencing this enquiry there is
one relation we unavoidably sustain to the
subject, especially as regards the domestic
sIave-trade. and the continuance Of slavery
in those districts under the exclusive Iuris-
diction Of Congress- which we believe TO
be wor by of notice, though perhaps it has
not been generally appreciated by our
society in proportion TO its importance.
Although, in accordance with our pecu-
liar views upon the subject Of civil gov
eminent, as the protested followers Of Him
who declared that his kingdom was not
of this world, Friends have generally
believed it right 10 abstain from any par
ticipation in political movements and the
committee would not recommend such
action in the present case; yet as we con-
stitute part Of the community whose
representation in Congress is in proper
ton to their numerical strength, it is evil
dent that we contribute to the formation
Of the House Of Representatives in Con-
gress, by whose authority, together with
that Of the other branches Of the Federal
Government, more than rs thousand OF
our felIow-creatures are held in bondage,
and upwards of so thousand are annual
y torn from their homes and sold like
beasts in distant market; and that until
we exert all the means in our power con-
slstent with our religious profession, to
extricate ourselves from the responsibility,
we are accountable for the continuance of
this state Of things as we'll as Others We
are also responsible for the unjust pro-
vision of the Constitution, which contrary
to the law Of God, requires the authorities
Of the free states to deliver up to their
masters those who have escaped from the
CALLING chains Of slavery and fed to us for
protection. The constitution derives its
authority from the will Of the people, who
possess the power to make such amend
ments therein as they may at any time
deem expedient Hence every individual
of mature age who is recognized as a
free citizen Of the United States is reSpon-
sibIe for the evils which result from the
existing provisions of the Constitution, in
proportion to his means of demonstrating
Iao nd Of for thnir
amendment.
With much tenderness towards those
who are Immediately concerned, we would
express our firm persuasion, that this tes-
timony of our society is great y impaired
by the circumstance Of so many Of our
members being concerned in trading in
slave labor produce. That the pure has
ing of such produce, for which the planter
| receives large sums Of money-the princi-
| pal inducement he has for retaining his
fellow-men in bondage, is directly sns-
tanning the system of slavery, appears to
the committee to be proposition too self
evident to require any argument for it's
support. AS well may the slavedriver or
STAKEHOLDER excuse himself by saying he
is only the agent to supply the demand of
the chant and manufacturer who pay
him their money for the lash-extorted
produce, as for these to plead their exon
Grafton by asserting that they have never
driven the slave his task. All are con-
cerned in carrying on the operations Of a
system, for the vigorous prosecution Of
which the agency of each is equally re-
quisite. 1t is therefore Of but little avail
that we profess to bear faithful testimony
against slavery, whilst many of our most
conspicuous members are largely con-
cerned in buying AMI selling and trans
porting cotton which is raised BY the labor
Of slaves and are thus amassng large for
tunes by acting as the direct and acknowl-
edged agents of the Shareholder: while
others, composing much larger class and
amongst VIII m are those whose example
exerts an influence not less extensive
than the former, are actively empfoved in
helping forward the system bv unrtstrain.
ed traffic in all the articles Of slave labor
produce.
1t is cause of painful regret, which
should stimulate US to every consistent ef-
fort for the removal ofthr evil, that slavery
has acquired such gigantic growth, and is
so connected with many of the necessaries
OF lille, as to render it extremely difficult
for some, especially those in Strengthened
circumstances, to keep entirely clear from
giving it their support, who yet sincerely
deplore its existence. We tenderIy SYM
pathize with such, and trust their case
will be regarded by a compassionate
Judge as similar to that of the Syrian Cap
tain when he unwiIlingly bowed down in
the house of Rimmon He saw the ap-
parent inconsistency of his future conduct
as believer 10 the true God, but the pe-
culiari,y Of his situation commended him
to Divine compassion. and the pracious