Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-24
NETWORK ANNIVERSARIES
From the New York Evangelist.
Farther prOce cdings Of the American Anti
Slavery Society.

| lie wished, he said, that 1t might be
published, and sent abroad upon the four
winds Of heaven, 10 tell to all the world
the spirit Of the society. Should this
meeting accomplish nothing more than to
give currency to that report, it would be
.. great dav for the cause. Let it 60 and tell
to our brethren in Europe, that there are
yet among US seventy times seven thou
sand, who have not bowed the knee to the
BaaI of Slavery, and whose lips have not
kissed him.
JAMES G. B1RNEy, offered a resolution,
that call plans for the extinction of slave
ry, which are gradual in their character,
are Intellectual, under existing crcum>tan-
ces, to accomplish their protested object.'
In supporting this resolution, he refer
red to the disturbances of the last two or
three years, which, although deeply de-
pIored BY every friend of law and order,
had not been without benefit inasmuch as
they had disclosed the true condition of
our country, and our g. oss detection from
the principles of liberty. 1t was mortify-
ing, but it showed us one of the effects of
slavery. 1t is now plain, to every unbias-
ed mind, that Of the great evils which
defIe and peril our free institutions, slave
ry is the fountain. The source of them
is now seen clearly, by all who are not
infected with slavery, just as the source Of
the evils Of ntemperance is seen by all
those who are not its sub ects, or have
selfish interest in its continuance There
is no difference among US as to the cause
of the evils which now divide and weaken
the moral power of this nation in favor Of
liberty and religion. The difference re-
spects on y the manner Of its removal
say, remor0l, for there is no such thing
as its ameioration. Those who talk of
ameliorating slavery, or of removing the
evils of slavery and retaining slavery, are
the defenders Of perpetual bondage, and
talk thus to blind the eyes Of phiIanthro-
py and give themselves time to fortify their
scheme of oppression. The great body
Of our most estimable and patriotic citi-
zens at the north, are agreed in their
views Of the evils of slavery, and the dan
ger with which it threatens all that is de-
| ightful in our freedom, and our right to
publish and act in conformity to the truth.
And they must see that it is desirable
there should also be an agreement to act
by all wise and lawful means for its re-
mOvaI.
But we are now divided as to the means
of accomplishing one common purpose.
One party think that immediate emanci-
patton is alone consistent with duty to God
and the best security Of every interest
concerned. Another class, fearing for the
effects of so great a change, if suddenly
brought about, believe that duty, both to
God and man, will be best discharged by
gradual emancipation. These two parties
occupy the whole ground There is no
scheme for the removal of slavery, whch
does not come under one or the other of
these two. will not now stop to inquire
into the consistency of either plan with
Christian rectitude; but will suppose them
both on the same footing Of ri ght and hon
estv
The scheme for the gradual emancipa-
ton of our country from the evils of slave
: w, by the gradual removal Of our coIored
people from the land, was first seriously
= taken up in Virginia, on the discovery OF
an instruction among the slaves, mJrt
, than 80 years ago. The skill and wis
dom of President Jefferson were called
in, and various plans were submitted tc
him for colonizing the free people of col
or, in the North Western Territory, ir
; Louisiana, in the adjoining provinces O
= Great Britain or Of Spain, in South Amer
lea, or in the West Indies Objections
u that were insurmountable seemed to lie
: against every scheme; and no movemen
. was made, after the excitement O: present
danger passed away. The whole ques
= ton Of slavery then remained untouched
till the year 1916, not because humanity
sIumbered, but because the attention o
the nation was absorbed by the dificuItie
Of our relations with foreign nations, anC
our war with Great Britain. Peace be
y ing restored, humanity thought she hac
- discovered for the free people of color ;
\ secure and eligible residence on the coas
- of Africa. Is it an offence to any here
= that should say humanity was concerned
! in the introduction 10 this scheme2 T.
= him | say, that my Reputation of tn
~ whole and every part Of the colonization
y system is not less decisive than his. Their
= Is nothing in it or about it, so far as refer
= to the removal of my coIored countrymer
y which does not retard the progress G
~ Christian truth and the cause of human
-, rights. Yet it is true, that the first com
mencement OF the colonization schem
was regarded by many as a summons t.
the work of humanity AMI religion in be
half of the slave. AS such, they engaged
in it, and expended their time, and strength
e and wealth. Shall we Judge of these men
acting on the standard which prevailed 2
years ago, by the increased light of tn
present day! No, sir; for, by so doing
N we disown the ennobling power of truth