Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-20
MISCELLAN EOUS.

The New York American, after quot
ing Judge Todd's Charge to the Grand
Jury, and the presentment of the walls Of
the ruined Hall, says
1--WE suppose, thong h the Grand Jury
may indict the tottering walls of the de-
stroyed ede6ce, they may not indict its
destroyers. They, we presume, like the
murdercrs and incendiares at Alton, may
rather turn round. and invoke judicial
proceedings against the wicked people
who dare 10 assemble in the Hall built
with their own money, and there talk Of
Freedom
1t is some satisfaction to think that the
city and county of Philadelphia is obiged,
by recent law, to pay for the destroyed
building, and other injury done by the
mob. Seifinterest at last, if not self-re-
spect and regard for the character of the
country, may thus hereafter induce active
exertions on the part Of substantial citi-
zens, to put down the misrule and destruc-
tive violence Of lawAess populace.
The Pennsylvania Hall was built by
| subscTi ption, and cost about $4,000 This
is divided into shares of $40, and much
of it is said to be held by mechanics.
The building was erected expressly for
the purposes of free discussion, and on
Monday last was, for the first time, for
mally opened and dedicated as temple of
Liberty.
Among many distinguished persons in
vited to be present and participate in this
ceremonial, was John Quincy Adams,
| who was requested to make an introduce
tory address. His frank, bold and char
acteristic answer, which we copy from the
Penns ylvania Freeman, is annexed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1888.
Sam'l Webb and VIM. H. Scott Philadelphia
My respected Friends Il learnt with
great satisfaction, by your letter of the
18th of last month, that the Pennsylvania
Hall Association, have erected a large
building in your city, wherein liberty and
equality of civil rights can be freely dis
cussed, and the evils of slavery fearlessly
portrayed.
The right of discussion upon slavery
and an indefinite extent of topics connect
} ed with it, is banished from one half the
states of this Union. 1t is suspended ir
both houses of Congress-opered anc
, closed at the pleasure Ct the slave repre-.
sentation: opened for the promul CATION O
, notification sophistry; closed against thu
question, WHAT'S SLAVERY? at the sounc
of which the walls of the capitol stagger
5 ed like drunken man!
f For this suppression Of the freedom O
speech, of the freedom of the press, ant
s of the right of petition. the people of tn,
: FREE states of this Union (by which
r mean the people Of the non sIavehoIdn2
: states) are responsible, and the people O
2 Pennsylvania most OF all.
t Of tbs responsibility, say it with
S pang sharper than language can express
e the city Of PhiladeI phia must take 10 her
= self the largest share. And this consid
e Grafton would compel me to decline tn
invitation with which the Managers O
s this Assoc iation have honored me, to de
a liver an address at the opening of tn
e Hall, were it otherwise 10 my power, a
n it probably may not BE-, to attend at tn
If time proposed.
b My friends, have a long standing
+ high, respectful, and afectionate attach
: ment to the city of Philadelphia and it
e inhabitants. 1t dates from the day of tn
Declaration of independence, and if
s were to address them on the opening G
e your Hall, should comment u pom som
d of dts self-evident truths.
:. Now great multitude of the presen
a inhabitants of your city have grown sic
% of the sound of these self-evident truth:
:, and exceedingly adverse to hearing an
o comment upon them. If l should max
}. any practical use of my freedom OF speech
n some would say, he is doing out farra
h go of distractions. Others, what is tn
}, use of commenting upon seif-evider
II truths? Others-not few-wouh kin
f die into indignation, and say, he is inter
$ meddling with the peculiar institutions 4
the South, that's unconstitutional What
$ that to us He's fanatic, be is an .
e eendiary, he IS an dbolitioaist! he is a,
7 lacking the rights of the states, he is mr.
$ voking the people Of the South. and Irr
. have mercy upon US. they will dissoly
IS the Union! - s. = 8
: All this I.could hear and endure VIII
1t composure-all this have heard befor,