Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-19
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 10. 1897.

, ~ 'idIe lot our sovereign states we
W. VIII 90 as we please, in spite of God or man
.ne system L. one of our domestic institu-
5 alone"
The whole United States, in sustaining
, mat system, as 1t has done, by toleratng
slavery at the seat of government, and by
admitting new slave states into the uLion,
IS guilty as cOntemner of God. What
awful guilt IS here! Look back at the deal
I lngs ct God towards this nation; at his
Wonder1ul presentations, at Bunkerhill, at
germantown; at Trenton and Princeton ;
ana an then to think, that in fifty years the
United States should virtually declare that
God should no longer reign among US!
Slavery IS sacrilege. 1t takes away the
property of the church. Every minister of
the gospel is the servant of the church, and
evangeIically the property OF the church.
Ministers are ambassadors of Christ. and
we know how strictly the privileges of am
baSSadors are guarded. But what saws
American slavery? If colored man, tho
ever so learned and pious, sanctifed and
filled with the Holy Ghost and endued with
the best gifts, and orderly set apart 10 his
work IN any demon nation, dare to preach
IN Virginia, without a white man present to
guard him, he is liable to re whipped, and
tor the second offence, to be hung. Is not
! that robblng God, and insulting the majesty
OF heaven? If God could not stay in the
camp of Israel, because Achan had taken a
wedge OF gold how can he stay among US,
10 bless US, when we rob him of ministers,
of property that he values more than all the
gold IN the world
2. Slavery is system Of robbery Of the
slave
1t takes from him his rights. Cali SOULS"
says God, care mine" AS a nation, we
! have said it is seIf-evident; that is, so clear
that it cannot be proved, but is written on
every mans nature, and on all that God has
made, that all men are born free and equal,
and that every man has a right to- choose
where he will live and how he will enjoy
the avails Of his own labor But slavery
says, "No, the slave shall not have this
right he IS my property" What is this
but robbery?
Do you say the slave is not robbed of his
liberty, because he never had it? Look at
the matter again, and you will see that to
withhold that which belongs to a man is
robbery. What SAYS the Bible ? Will
man rob God ? But We have robbed me,
even this whole people," How? Why, by
Withholding from God the tthes and offer
ings that belonged to him. And it is
| system of national robbery, because those
who are guilty of it are acquitted and pro-
| tected in it by the laws; and to attempt to
wrest what they have robbed out of their
hands is treason.
3. 1t is a system Of murder.
Do you say, the charges grow stronger
/ and stronger2 know it, but am only
telling the truth. lay down this principle,
that whatever may be done under system,
and the system protects men in doing 1t, is
chargeable upon the system, and the system
is guilty of the crime. Now will not give
you my say-sO, or my speculation on this
point but the fact. 1t is fact that man.
under the system Of slavery, may be whip
ped to death, and thong h the deed be done in
the presence Of five, ten, fifty, or hundred
witnesses, and among them the most intelli-
gent and upright chara clers, yet the murderer
cannot be brought to justice. The system
Of slavery throws a bulwark of brass around
the murderer, in the incapacity Of all color
ed persons to be witnesses. And therefore
the system is implicated in the guilt of the
murderer. If it is committed in the pres
ence of white witnesses, the criminal may
be brought to Justice; but if only colored
witnesses are present, he must go clear.
4. Slavery is violation Of the social re-
lations, and destroys the finer sympathies of
the heart.
The mother is taken from her children,
the husband from his wife, the wife from
her husband, children from their parents,
and all the social connections are broken up.
This is the daily business Of slavery, and
men are upheld and protected in it by the
system. Slavery allows no use of the
marriage ceremony, securing to the husband
and wife the enjoyment Of each others
society. The slave-dealer comes along, and
the husband or the wife, or the children, are
driven away like cattle, to any distance
beyond the hope Of return.
Slavery destroys all the finer feelings OF
the heart. Those kind sentiments, which
man cherishes 10 man, in all lawful connec
tons, are smothered by this system. On
this point | have a tale to tell, that will
make every minister of the gospel almost
wish he were not a man. 1t was related to
me by a gentleman who is native of Ten
nessee, and person of unquestionable We
racity. He lives on one Of the great roads
leading from Virginia to the southwest
where he often sees the slave-dealer's coffit
, of human merchandise passing along, IN
the travelling season. One day a drove Of
6 slaves were passing along through the place
chained, as usual, two and two, by the wrist,
and then coupled together by long cha'L
> passing back and forward, so or so in com
> pany. They halted in the village, in order
= to relieve some of the drove of part OF
y their weight, because their irons chafed toe
!, much, and injured the value Of the property
y This gentleman said his feelings were very
, strong at seeing such sight, and he lei
= loose at the soul-driver in pretty strong terms
, and told him what he thought of him, ane
> Of his hus;Doee The man heard il awhile
=, and then replied, 81 am not the man yoII
II take me Cor; am humane man, and al
:; ways treat my slaves kindly. l astopPe(
III here to tighten up their chains, because theI
or necks and arms were swelIed with travel
u limo all the uav from Marvland" He theI