Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-04-12

Mr.. Editor There is one argument
employed by those who are opposed to
abolitionists, by way Of objection to our
measures, which do not remember hav-
ing seen replied to. Although 1t is an
objection which to candid minds appears
trivial, yet our opponents adhere to it with
characteristic pertinacity. They contend
that the liberty which aboIitionlsts ask for
the slave, would not, even if it could be
obtained, make him a freeman-that In
order to he free they must be allowed to
vote at the polls and that where a man
is not allowed to exercise this privilege,
he is in fact slave. TO such as make
this a ground Of objection, give me leave
to reply, that abolitionists are soIicitous to
restore to the slave every natural right, or
in other words. every right conferred by
God, all that the slaves can at present,
reasonably claim. Now that the right Of
suffrage is not natural right, but some
thing purely conventional, is almost uni
versallv conceded. We need no further
evidence of this, than the simple fact that
man was created amenable to no other
than the moral government of God. 1t
was, undoubtedly, the design Of Infinite
Wisdom, that man should acknowledge
Him supreme Ruler; and submit with
reverence 10 his laws. Government as it
exists at present, is essentially human
institution, based upon mutua! surren-
der Of individual right; in order to the
more efectual security Of person and
property. In the primitive stages Of So
ciety no other government existed, than
the authority of the fathers over the son :;
or which is usually denominated patri-
archal authority. But as men multi piled
and human depravity became more gener-
al, The necessity Of some means of COM
mon security wos discovered and accor-
dinghy the reciprocal surrender and com
promise before alluded to was made
Without this, might would become right,
and man could depend on nothing but
brute force for the protection Of their per
sons and property.
FIVE have succeeded in showing that
the right Of suffrage is not natural right,
it is evident, that manumitted slaves can
claim no right TO its exercise. But even
admitting the right Of suffrage to be natu-
, raj, there are other arguments which 60 to
dlsprove the right of the slave to vote
Our laws are such in relation 10 voting
that our own citizens are not allowed its
exercise before the age Of twenty -one and
even then the right depends on circum-
stances. Foreigners Of any age are not
permitted to vote under a specified number
Of years. How then can it be maintained
that manumnted slaves, who have hither.
TO stood in the relation of foreigners, have
the right2 Or how can it be maintained
that they are not essentially free wlthou,
this privilege? No man will have the
hardIhood to say that apprentices or for
eigners, in this country, are slaves. Slaves
are not recognized as citizens by the con
stitution Of the United States, and ever
their right to petition has Of late beer
graveIy denied. The laws Of all the slave
holding States exemplify their non-citizen
ship in the clearest and most forcible man
ner. Why then is it worse TO withhold
their SURFACES than other foreigners
And why are they not as free when liber
ated from the irresponsible power of thei
masters and placed under the protection
Of law, as any other foreigners amongs
us2 ANONYMOUS.