Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-31

oppressor, but also the rapid accumulation
Of numbers to our ranks convincing our
northern representatives that, however they |
may now connive at the trampling down of
the sacred right of petition, the time is fast
approaching when they will be made to
feel in spot where they are most sensi- |
tive, that the rights Of Northern freemen are
not 10 be disregarded with impunity. The
reports of the proceedings of Congress, in
relation to our petitions, are carried to every
corner of the land by the public mails, and
again discussion is elected; and thus the
subject of slavery and emancipation, and the
principles and measures of the abolltlonlsIs,
become an absorbing topic of thought and
conversation.
The Recommendation of the President, in
bis late message to Congress, to revise the
laws of the District of Columbia seems to
indicate peculiar propriety in remonstrat-
ing at this time against the further tolera-
ton of slavery and the slave trade at the
seat of the Federal Government; and it is
hoped that a vigorous effort will be made to
procure signatures to memorials for that
object to be forthwith forwarded to Congress.
THE ALTON TRAGEDY-AK IMPORTANT
PRINCIPLE.
The awful tragedy of Alton, which re-
| suited in the murder Of our lamented CO.
adjutor, ELIJAH P. LovEJoY, has already
become so extensively known, and will be
| recorded by so many pens much ADLER than
ours, that we should omit the mention Of it
in this report, if it were not that we feel
called upon, in connection with this sad
event, to invite your attention to principle
Of the American Anti-Slavery Society,
which we believe to be Of vital importanc, e
but which, we regret to say, was violated
by our friends on that occasion.
The Society, in its Declaration Of serti-
ments, has pledged itself in the most sol
emn and unequivocal manner to abstain,
and to entreat the slave to abstain, from the
use Of all carnal weapons Tor his deliver
ance from bondage; relying solely on those
which are spiritual and mighty through
God to the pulling down Of strong holds
1t asserts that such a resort to physica
violence would be an EVIL; and declares
that its "PRINCEPLES FORBID THE DOING
OF EVIL THAT GOOD MAY COME. 10 thus re
Jecting the use OF violence for the recovery
Of the slaves rights, the Society was no
influenced by motives Of mere human ex
pediency, but evidently referred to a mucI
higher and nobler rule of action. Th
adoption Of this sentiment was clearly tn
s result Of a deep conviction that the LAW o
d LOVE, 1ohich 1t protessed to take as ii
: governing principle, pheu extended to til
" oppressor, denied the use of all means 1
y bring him to justice but those Of a sPHi
= udI or moral character. Ii then we II
e fuse to our colored brother the right to PR
J. tect, by physical violence, the wife Of b
y bosom from pollution, and his person frol
n the most fragrant outrage, and pledge ou
% selves to refrain from the exercise of ply
re ical force, though we may stand by and ST
;e the Preparation Of these enormities; and
there is any truth in the first article Of OF
abolition creed-lhat God has made Of or
IS blood all nations-snd that al men have q
to equal and inalienable right TO life, LlBER1
n and the pursuit of happiness, with VIII
of claim to consistency can De resort tow
ry lence and bloodshed in defence of on
- rigts2 If We admit the slave to an equs
On ity with ourselves in his claim to inalien
H. bic rights, it is plain that his right to u
K force in maintaining them must also
he equal with ours. They must stand or ia
H. together; and whilst we would reproba
. the miserable sophistry of those who ce
he sure an abolitionist for periling his life
an defence Of his rights, and still claim
Id themselves the right of self. defence, let
- maintain our consistency by strictly adht
ce ing to the spirit Of our constitution, and
mt conforming ourselves to the rule we pl
of scribe for others.
Il ECCLESIASTICAL OPPOSITION.
BY From the commencement of the An
ry Slavery struggle to the present time, t
lot most formidable obstacle with which t
of friends Of the slave have had to confer
yer has been found in the inveterate hostility
ty, large portion Of the leaders in the p
IN Tossing christian church. This hostil
he has been manifested by impeaching I
In motives and traducing the characters of I
olitionists; by disappearing their d.
ess trines and perVerting their language: a
be to effect this, the religious presses, witt
ed. few honorable exceptions, have freely Il