Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-07-31

wat embarrassed, from sense OF my lnuDllty
TO do justice to the subject which VIC have as
sembiod to discuss.
Tho people Of this country are bound to-
gothor in one common interest; by strong, and
some Of thom Undesirable bands--by their sew
eral relations, natural, moral, religious and po'
litical. And this mutual connection and de-
pcndence, implies the existence oil correspond
ing duties, equally binding upon all
Our natural or consanguineous relation, like
all the other relations, consists Of different de-
grees. The first in order, is that which we oc-
cupy ourselves; the second, is that of our mat
rimonial companions; tho third, Of our chill
dreni the fourth, of our parents, land so on.
And as The laws Of nature make il our impera-
tive duty to provide for ourselves, are we not
moro or less bound to extend our help TO those
who are allied to Us by kindred, when they
shall stand in need Certainly we arc The
scripture saith, "But irany provide not for his
own, and especially for those OF his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
inhdel." st Tim. V. 81 II is indeed q du'
ty we owe TO those Of our own houses, not on
~ to bestow earthly bounty, but also to in
5truotthcm how 10 use it, and how TO acculnu-
late for themselves. Nay, even in some cases,
when no part of our earthly store is needed,
our counsel and advice very necessary
And it, in such cases, we do not administer tia!
counsel, which, by the providence of God, VIC
have in our power TO bestow, we shall, indeed,
richly deserve the denuncintion Of "worse than
an inidet;" and more especially, if their inter-
Get aud ours are connected a gain, there are
very few in proportion to the Whole, who have
not some Of their relations scattered far & wide
in different SECTIONS Of the country. Now, If
they are laboring under difficulties from, which
the" are unable 10 eXtricutc themselves, or
from which they DO not endeapor 10 eXtrcate
themselves, from want oil being fully sensible
OF their condition, are we not, as relatives, in
duty bound TO advise and assist them Has
our duty towards them been dore away, orren.
lered less imperative, by the distance which
separates us7 Certainly not. Every candid
person must upon careful deliberaton, aclt-
nowledge tbat our relative duties are still as
binding as ever.
With respect to our moral relations, 1t must
DC obvious to ali, that, we arc not indepen-
dent one of another, rs there is, and must be,
moral intercourse among the people, our senti
ments and actions will have moro or less effect
upon each other. And hence we are all under
a moral obligation 10 each other. This moral
obligation is Of course greatest, when orr NOR
al intercourse has the greatest effect; butt ox-
tends, nevertheless, as far as our interests are
at all concerned. And, as every individual in
the U. S. 10 interested in the national prospect
ty, the interests Of all, and consequently their
moral relations, and corresponding moral du-
ties, extend to every portion Of our common
country. II, therefore, the morals of any part
oft, are not sneh as tend to promote the peace,
harmony and prosperity Of the people at large,
it becomes our moral duty to endcnvor TO cor
rect them.
Again, with reference 10 religious inter-
course,--It is worthy Of remark that all pro-
fessors Of the Christian religion claim 10 be
children of the one Great Parent Of the universe
brought out from the world into the enclos.
uro OF the Gospel, by the power Of God hay
ing received tho knowledge Of the way Of
peace through his revelation. Hence, 1t we
are what we profess 10 be, then are we breth-
rem and sisters togethsr-all bound to seek the
good Teach other. If, then, any Of our broth
rem and sisters in religious fellowship, in any
part OF the Union, are laboring under difficult
ties winch they cannot or do not extricnte
Themselves from, it is our duty TO exert our
selves in their behalf
| come now TO the consideration Of our po-
lidoal relations. But in this | shall be very
brief, for we all know, that, as the govern
ment of this country is Republican, the people
are, themselves, the makers Of the laws, and
consequently responsible for the business OF
their character. IT, Then, the laws arc une-
quail, partial, unjust ifthey bear heavily upon
ono part Of the community, and favor another;
If they protect one in the abuse or violation OF
another's rights--theso consequ ences are just
~ chargeabe TO the body potlc-to the peo-
pie. And, as every individual is a component
part of the body potic--if he have knowledge
OF the fact, he is, in some measure, responsible
for the same, And hence il is his indispensi-
Die duty TO exercise his influence in behalf Of
the oppressed.
have now shown, trust, 10 tho satisfaction
of my hearers, that the people of this country
have, all, the same common interest and are
Iob L.,
the good Of each other, as well as thatof them.
selves; and have established the point, that i
any portion Of the people OF these U. S. arr
subjected 10 suffering from causes not within
their control, but within that oil the body poll
tic it s duty urged upon the rest, by the mu
tual dependence and connexion OF the whole
10 labor for their relief Have we then no du
~ to perform in relation to the subject Of A
merioan slavery7 nothing to do in relation 10
system of legalized oppression, by which tw,
and half millions Of our own countrymon ar
held in perpetual, hereditary bondoge--an
which retards the prosperity of the free may
system which greatly annoys the happiness
and endangers the liberty of nearly fifteen mil
liens of the human family-the whole Of tn
people, bond & free, Of these y. States
trust we shall oil agree that we have. But be
lore we attempt TO prescribe remedy, W
should acquaint ourselves with the nature
tho dlsease,-beiofe we attack the system
slavery, we should examine its character
In tie first place, let us examine the rond
lion of the enslaved. AS SYSTEM slavery de
prives its victims Of liberty, in every sense
ihe pOrd. Itdeprivos him Of the power OF sci
government, and the enjoyment of domes
happineas-o all that renders life dear 10 maj
II rObs the slave Of the fruit Of his labor, an
gives it to his oppressor. II reduces him to
condition worse than that Of the brutes. =.
''they ore protected by law against cruelty, ar