Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-14
For the Waterman and State Journal.
SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATE

SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES.
l write now in great haste, and consequent
ly can say but little on this interesting and u II
absorbing topic. Perhaps at some future time
If my circumstances permit, and the columns
az the Waterman are open, I may express my
views more fully in relation to this subject.
II is useless 10 attempt TO prevent discussion.
! The people will think, talk and write upon
this subjec. and if the sensible portion o /!
community will permit none but fanatics and
demagogues TO discuss the subject, much Of
evil may be apprchcnded from the discussion.
There are ianaics on both sides, and there
IS much Of crude and hastily formed opinion
on both sides. 1 aliude 10 the abolition lists
and their opponents. The abolitonists are
! unga ged-houestIy and heartily no doubt--in
| q crusade against slavery; they are orsaEis.
ing their forces, establishing their papers, and
sending their lecturers into all the land. They
tell US that slavery is great and q damning
| sin, and that the only method by which this
| sin can be removed from our country is by IN.
MEDIATE and UNCONDITIONAL einanc patton,
and that no evil need be apprehended from the
| application of this remedy. IL pe'chance an
! individual should be found not quite ready TO
! subscribe 10 all these doctrines, he is at once
| denounced as an advocate OF slavery-a pro-
| elnvery man.
| But let us reason together u while. What
do you mean by immediate aud unconditional
eman ipation Would you, at once, let loose
! all the black population of the South, give
them Internationally their freedom, and sui
fer them TO roam wherever they, in their folly
aud ignorance, might happen 10 please No,
answer the abolitonisis, but tho slave should
no longer be a chattel, he should no longer be
consider the property Of his master, he should
be pronounced free by the laws. Yes, but
your unconditional emancipation has condi-
lions attached to it, after all the domestic
slaye-trade may be abolished Immediately, the
sepa ration Of families prohibited, and the
slave regarded as man instead Of u brute,
but he is a slave SO long as he is subj ect to the
will Of his master Why not then, gentlemen
come out honestly, and acknowledge that sou
have, in fact, abandoned your scheme of itii-
mediale aud unconditional emancipation
But a gaim:-What good object can be CT
fectcd by your labors in the non-save holding
states : Why, public opinion here may pro
duce surprising effect OH the South. Blu
public opinion here, ever since the adoption o
, our federal constitution 10 say the least hal
been, and still continues 10 be, your SANDER
Gus assertions TO the contrary notwithstanding
dec Idcdly opposed 10 slavery. 1t is but few
years since, that all Of our Fourth Of July OF
| dluIS stlupHi Ou'il'eu OCIueiUll W say
thing condemnntory Of slavery, and they al
ways did so without any frar If an opponent
Your labors have now made certain class o
community more cautious in htr observation
u on this subject, for fear of becoming ideniie
with the abtionisrs. | do rot justify ihei
fears, nor approve cf all thcif conduct; hut
r, certainly very clearly shows the i'll effects c
lanaticism on the public mind, and how on
extreme il calculated 10 produce its opposite.
When slavery is abolished in Virginia,
cannp, be done by Vermont. Our power
OILY advisory. Let the North, if she mu,
speak at all upon the subject speak the lar
suage OF kindness as well as OF earncs,nes
aud fidelity. Slavery is great wrong; III
South have rno long suinbcred on the brink
volcanO-hu The remedy for this great wron!
must he the work of Time and Of patient Phi
d anhropy, nntiring and unrcmiiling in its c
l. forts. Rash and hasly measure can accom-
It pish nothing, aud those who dip their pens
n gall 10 write urom thi' subject are only rendc
N ing more diiiicalt and impractcabIe or
10 scheme for the prevention OF great and grow
g ing evil. But must stop
lc ANXIOUS POPULI.