Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-04-25
For the Waterman and State Journal.
SLAVERY,

1t seems that whatsoever ventures 10 express
an opinion on the subject OF slavery, not ex-
nctly in accordance with those generally en-
teriained by certain class OF our community,
is sure TO find plenty ofoppononte. do not yet,
however, complain Of opposition II IS precise
ly what anticipated. Nor shall l engage to
answer the queries Of all who may see fit 10
ask questions, but in this respect ! shall be
governed by circumstances, and ny own sense
Of proprioty. For the present, however, shall
epend few moments with u. X. Jr." IN the
Walchman OF the / tn inst
IL does really seem 10 me TO be proper for
all those who engage in the discussion Of any
question, 10 obtain, in the first place. clear and
distinct views Of the subject in discussion. In
my first communication, stated that slavery
was the entire subection Of one person TO
the will Of another" This is almost word for
word the definition Of DR.. Webster, in his
American Dictionary, and had supposed was
sufficiently correct for my purpose But 1t
seems that Mr.. SMITH and 3. r. lr. are lar
from being satisfied with this view Of the sub
ject. Neither of these gentlemen, however,
have given us any thing al all Tor dehnlton
of slavery, in its stead. If il should turn out
at last, that neither Of them have acquired any
Thing like just and correct views Of the sub
jeci, il would not be the first time in the hsto-
ny Of controversy, that men have engaged flu
riously in debate, without understanding the
subject in discussion. Perhaps they may say
that slavery consists IN the ownership oil men
as property. am not at all disposed to quar-
rel with this view OF the subject Such IS the
character of American slavery. But stu DO
cay that If the right Of alienation be taken by
law from the master, the slave be converted
into what may be called an apprentice, be COM
PEELED BY law 10 labor for his master without
his consent, he is still slGp-, go long as he is
subject to his will | call that man., and mat
man only, freeman, who enjoys liberty, or
who is not subject TO the will OF another, and
that man, in my humble opinion, has but We
ry poor conception of liberty who can make
Incompatible with servitude.
Under the Saxon government, In England,
there were race OF people, IN condition OF
serytudc called, uiileins, who lived chiefly
in villages, and were employed in rustic works
Of the most sordid kind" They were divided
into two classes, viz. "Villeins regardant, an
nexed 10 the manor or land or in gross, an
noxcd to the pcrson of the lord, and transfer
able by deed from one owner to another."-
They could acquire no property, either in
lands or goods. 1t would seem to me TO be
the height Of folly TO contend that because
these uHieinS regarded were not transferable
hy and from one owner to another, that there
fore they were not SLAVES. Indeed, if my mem
DRY serves me, we are expressly told, by one
writer, that the celebrated provision OF magma
charta, .NGliVs LIBER MONO inprisonelur, sc.
no free man shalt be imprisoned, &c. was so
framed, expressly TO exclude the poor villein.
But il would seem that both OF my opponents
IRE so in love with slavery-or so determined
10 find fault with mc-that if you only modify
the shareholders right OF alienation, and touch
q little by legislation the shareholders right OF
property, the slave in their view becomes al
once a ireeman-and yet, in the next breath,
you hear them coniendng for unconditional
emancipation.
An apprentice is tone who is bound, by
covenant TO serve mechanic, or other person,
for a cerban time, with a view 10 learn his art
mystery, or operation, in which his master is
bound 10 instruct him." II B. R. Jr. cannot
now comprehend my views respecting the diff
ference between slave and apprentice, shall
despair oil ever being able 10 Instruct him.
Before answering any OF b. r. Jr's qucs-
tons, it may not be amiss 10 remark u htlt
upon his character as a learner. He comes
forward profcsscdly, "not as a disputant, bu
merely as one seeking for information" Anc
| must say that the gentlemen seems 10 be one
OF the most .for,card scholars ever saw. From
his enquiries, | should, il s true, not be dis
posed TO question lis need Of information, but
the disposition he has evinced, is certainly IA
from being the most docie one ever wines
sed II is true that he says " My pen is no
dipped in GALL" but when the Pharsees en-
quired oil our Savior, " Arc we blind also y
they felt as sure of no. being obnoxious 10 thu
charge Of blindness, as ever B. r. Jr. was o
heing perfectly free from the charge of censo
Tiousncss.
In the first place, The gentleman tells us {
story OF man from Louisiana, who declared
that the God of nature "had formed the ne
gro race to act in the capacity OF slaves."-
What objection, he asks, could such an indi
yidual have against uniting with the Colonial
ton Society," Now il must be confessed tina
b. r. Jr. has very happy knack in askins
questions, but then he has not yet learned how
TO ask very hard questions. II the gentleman
will take the trouble 10 read jays Inquiry
and from the recommendation have seen o
the work, should suppose that no abolition
ist can be excused for not reading it--ho will
find the object of this Society, as expressed il
their constitution, is, the colonization of tn
free people Of color, with their consent, resi-
ding in our country, in Africa, or such oihe
Pac as Congress shall deem most expedien
II would really seem 10 me that man VIII
believed the negroes to be formed by the Go
of nature Tor slaves, must have, Consequent
very strong objections against joining in an en-
terprise the object Of which is TO make out q
such materials colony Of Jreeweh,